Moving Out Tips for Teenagers

Moving out for the first time can be a heady mix of excitement, terror and trying to figure out what to do without relying on your parents. Whether you are getting an apartment, moving in with friends or going away to school, it is time to stand on your own two feet, take on more responsibility and figure out how to move out on your own. We're here to help.

  1. Separate Your Stuff

    • It sounds obvious, but before starting to pack you should gather your things together, which may be slightly more confusing than you first thought. Your room contains most of your things, but does it contain things that your parents own? Do they want to keep the television that they installed? Do they own some of the books that you borrowed or movies that you have been watching? Do they want to keep any of the furniture in the room? Make an effort to separate things that do not belong to you, either by placing them in a designated part of your room (after removing your things from that corner) or by taking them out of your room completely. By the same token, go through the rest of the house for things that you have bought or things that were given specifically to you. Any special coffee cups, movies or decorations that belong to you and have found their way into the house at large should be gathered up.

    Decide What You Need

    • If you are moving into a dorm or in with a partner, your may not need some or all of your furniture, and there may not even be room for all of it! Find out ahead of time exactly what you need to take and arrange with your parents for permission to store the rest of your things at home. If they want to use your old room for something else they may decline, in which case you should either look into storage, sell your furniture (check with your parents first!) or give items to another friend in need. You may also want to cull childhood remnants like the Barbie collection that you never got rid of. The less you take, the easier it will be.

    Keep Things Smooth

    • When you are ready to move out, make sure you do so in a way that is not likely to anger your parents. Try to refrain from arguments or demands. Make concrete plans, keep your parents informed and stick to your plans. For example, tell them where you are going, give them a specific date, and try hard not to move out sooner or later or change plans frequently. The more calmly and responsibly you handle your move, the more confident your parents will be in your well-being once you are gone.

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