FEATURE l The Financial Realities of Moving Out and Gaining Independence
- Charlie Maedilene Bobis
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Moving out feels like freedom until you realize rent isn’t the only thing draining your wallet. Independence is priceless, but somehow, everything else costs a fortune.
Moving out is a dream. I also have always wanted to move out if I just had the capacity to do so. A space that you can call your own, the freedom of being able to come up with your own life choices, and just merely the satisfaction of independence. But beyond those aspirations I wanted like having a cozy condo or apartment and romanticizing the quick grocery errands lies the harsh financial reality of living on your own.
The living alone diaries in social media feed us how fulfilling it is to live independently. Just them waking up in the morning while preparing their own breakfast and watching their comfort show after, being able to sing or dance without worrying about anyone because you are alone, cleaning the area with the loudest background music and no one will get annoyed, the quick grocery errands and organizing them in your storage box or refrigerators, all those things that you cannot freely do when you are with your family makes us want to work hard to afford independence.
Yet, those videos also tell us that they can afford the luxury of living alone and we cannot. What we will be thinking when we move out is going to be about the biggest expense we will ever have. Everyone will say that it is rent. Yes, it really is a big expense but that's only the tip of the iceberg. There is more to what you will be spending your money for. Utility bills, your internet, transportation, and other emergency costs will also wreck your budget. The things that privileged people can easily sustain.
Most of the people who move out thought that they were financially prepared but in reality, they just earn a minimum wage making them struggle to balance their expenses. What they also realize upon moving out is that it will be normal to sacrifice their social life. With that, some find themselves moving back home because the reality of solo living is not as romantic as it seemed.
Personally, moving out especially after graduation is a goal as long as I can financially afford it. Some people also prefer moving out despite having a cramped space with anyone just for them to get away from their home. Aside from their family problems, some argue that independence teaches the concept of responsibility in a way that living with family never could, which is why they choose to live separately. But still, there are many who prefer to stay home because of financial constraints and enjoying the company of their families.
Moving out is not just about affording rent and other bills — it is about affording life. Financial independence is truly rewarding, but doing it on your own is not always easy. If you're planning to move out, proper budgeting, saving, and setting realistic expectations are key. Independence isn’t just about leaving home— it is about sustaining yourself once you do.
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