Live on Your Own at a Young Age
Can't stand living at home another day? Living on your own at a young age is no easy feat, especially if you're running away without parental support. If you're a little older and ready to be independent, it's easier to survive on your own in the real world, but at young age it can be more complicated. It's a big responsibility to take care of all your own living needs, but if you have no other options, some careful planning can help.
Steps
- Look for alternative living arrangements. Before moving out and trying to make it on your own, see if there is someone else you could live with, even for a few days, like a grandparent, relative, close friend, or neighbor. This will give you more time to gather resources and prepare - or possibly a permanent home, if it works out well.
- Consider how you're going to stay safe and care for yourself. In order to pay for housing, you'll need a steady income, but many places may be reluctant to hire someone underage (or even be prohibited from doing so). You will need to gather as many resources as possible before you leave, such as a decent supply of food, down blankets, sensible clothes, toilet paper, toiletries, and any money you can get your hands on.
- Find a place to stay. If you're trying to find a permanent residential option and can't continue staying with family or friends, there are some group homes, shelters, or shared living arrangements that can be good for young independent people. Otherwise, getting your own apartment or sharing with roommates is a good option, but may be more expensive.
- If you have a car, you'll have more mobility to attend school, work, and keep up your social life. But cars do cost money; you will need to consider the costs of maintenance, gas, insurance, and registration. If you're leaving home, keep in mind that your car may be registered in your parents' name, too, which may have legal implications for you, especially if they report it stolen.
- Think hard about sleeping on the streets before attempting it. Maintaining a homeless lifestyle comes with a whole range of complications, hazards, and health/safety risks; in extreme cases, it can even lead to death. Do your best to avoid living on the streets if you can.
- Apply for jobs. While academics should be your focus during school years, you're likely to need an income in order to support yourself.
- Be aware of legal implications. Although most localities won't punish minors (someone under the age of 18) for running away from home, it is illegal in many places. Living on your own at a young age is all very well if you're no longer a minor or have emancipated yourself, but it comes with complications if you're younger than that and do not have parental consent.
- Make sure to get parental permission before moving. While you're a minor, your parents and guardians are responsible for you, and they can and likely will file a missing persons report if you move out without their consent. If you don't have parental support to live independently, make sure you read up on all the implications of running away before you make any rash decisions.
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