Student living with non-student

[Weedkillerworks]

DD has applied to university for Sept 2025 with grades in hand and is awaiting offers.

She wants to go to Manchester Met and seems to have her heart set on moving in with her partner who will be working.

I've nodded along so far as she's still waiting for offers, but it doesn't seem like a workable plan to me.

Cons I've thought of so far:

• will have to be private rented rather than halls
• Non-student in property means paying Council

Tax

• possibly sharing a bedroom means no private space (DD is autistic and possibly ADD)
• if relationship breaks down, what then?

What else is there to consider?

@ByGreatDenimCat Absolutely. I posted this to get help collecting my thoughts because I know I have an influence on her but ultimately it's her decision.

As her main parent, I just want to be aware of all the potential advantages and pitfalls of the various options so I can advise her if she asks and help her avoid making a costly mistake (financially, emotionally).

There's also the question of how well she will cope with living independently. My DC have always been encouraged to be independent but DD has said she doesn't feel very confident about managing everything herself when she moves out.

Maybe quiet halls or somewhere else like that will be a good intermediate step for the first year before she goes into private rented, with or without her partner, in the second year.

Hm, lots to think about.

Personally I think 18 is very young to commit to this. There are all the reasons above (finances, making friends, what if they break up) and if they were 25 I'd say go for it, but 18 is just so young.

@DuesToTheDirt I think so too. I have to avoid saying anything like that because DD will push back (or retreat) twice as hard.

We all learn by experience but it's so tough as a parent watching them gain that experience sometimes.