What Age Did You Leave Home?

I left home when I was 17 to go to uni. I lived in a flat with 2 friends, so we quickly learnt how to budget our money so we had enough for the bills, food shop, bus fare etc. I don't think any of us were well prepared but we knew roughly what we were doing and we learnt pretty quickly how to do things we needed to.

Our parents had obviously taught us how to cook, use the washing machine, hoover etc but it was only when we were doing it for ourselves that we realised how much we had to do just to get through everyday life.

Left when I was 14 first time my parents would say I didn't leave I was just staying out at my boyfriend moved back home when I was 18 and moved out again when I was 30 I stayed because I looked after my mum still she passed then my dad didn't want me to move out so it was only when I had my own child I looked for somewhere

I was 23 when I moved out my parents house I didn’t go to uni

I left home at 15 and 1/2 to get away from my wicked step father, who never ever spoke to me during my upbringing, I joined the Junior soldiers at Shorncliffe, Folkstone in Kent, I spent 2 years Military training them at 17 1/2 (still regarded as a child now) I was posted to my regiment in Osnabruck, West Germany then within a few weeks I was sent to Northern Ireland during the peak of the troubles and at half the pay of an adult soldier till I was 18.

I was still a kid to my mother, who worried frantically as soldiers were getting killed everyday, including 6 of my fallen comrades, I just thought I would share this as very few people know about me.

I had just turned 19. I went to University in London, my college was near High St Kensington so most of the students lived in the halls of residence as living locally was mega expensive. I lived in the hall for 3 years so didn’t learn much about paying bills for a while

I was 18 and working full time in the NHS....I was young to leave home, but was prepared as my Mum had taught me all I needed about money and cooking etc....xx

I was 16 when I left home and at 18 I rented a small flat. Loved going to work and I had lots of friends. I wasn't much of a cook.

16, would have left earlier if I'd have known childline or other help was available. Haven't seen my "family" in over 30 years, thankfully!

I left home at 19 and moved to London with work. A complete eye opener having to pay market rate for accommodation and buying food and no I wasn't prepared, didn't really know how to cook, clean or budget. Really appreciate how much my Mum had looked after me and how I had taken her for granted as my tea was always on the table when I came from school/work. Extremely lucky to have had such a great Mum. Miss her very much.

18 & yes I was good at paying bills & running a home.

I was about 19 when i started staying with myboyfriend at his Mum's house even though I still went home and slept in my room once a week, it never actually felt like I left home as it was very gradual and then 4 years later we bought a home of our own. I had an amazing upbringing, wonderful parents and all the love and care in the world.

I left home at 16.xx

I left home at 17 to join the WRNS. My training was to be a radio operator, lots of different things involved including ship to shore and shore to aircraft. I was based in London at Marble Arch. Never went home after that but lived in married quarters after marrying.

I left home at 20 and was very savvy so what my mum lacked in teaching me, I was persistent to learn myself as quick as I could.

16 moved out got a shock

I left home at 19 and bought my first house. I thought I was quite grown up (but wasn't really) I managed very well though as I have always been good with money and budgeting.

17

I left home at 18. Fully prepared for budgeting and always had housework duties as a child to earn pocket money.

I left home at 17 and was working full time I was brought up to cook and clean and be punctual and I had a good idea of my finances and how to budget for my daily life, sometimes it was tough but so is life, it is up to yourself to make it better however you can which, is not always easy especially these days.

15, no choice, did nights while sitting me exams, then straight into full- time employment, just got on with it, totally un prepared, struggled with bills, in debt all through me 20's, eventually debt free at 30ish, but too late I feel, now 37 and stuck renting,just working to survive, will never be able to own my own home unless I win the lotto, my only hope is a narrow boat, I have a 10 year plan, save, get narrowboat, do it up and off I go, freedom!!!!!! And abit of actual.life and living befor I die

I left home at 19 and bought my first house with my now ex-husband, who was 23 then. We bought right at the time that the interest and mortgage rates were rocketing and we had a really rough time, living hand to mouth a lot of the time. The one thing my Mom always instilled in me was that paying your mortgage to keep the roof above your head was THE most important thing. It’s a philosophy I stuck by then and still do now. It’s also the message that I have passed on to my children.

I was 19. Should have stayed home. Til I got enough to put a deposit down but hey I was 19 and needed to something drastic to make sure I wouldn't go back to an ex

I was about 17 and it was learning on the job,especially the cooking part lol.

I moved out just before my 20th birthday. Had a bad childhood and needed to move on from things. Went into hospital to get help with my Agoraphobia spent five months there. Then moved on to a hostel was there for just over two years. Was abit difficult financial as had to pay rent for the first time. Then moved to my first ever flat that was even more difficult as had not only rent but also council tax, electric and water rates to pay. Was also terrified of been burgled. But got easier abit over time. Wasn't there long about six months then moved again as met my now ex partner and moved into his flat in a different city. I'm still there now nearly 19 years later but I've stayed too long and now know I need to move on again. I'm terrified again but know I have to move to a new city again for the sake of my mental health.

Well to be honest I have never left home I'm still here with my family now

21

As soon as I legally could and got with my partner at the age of 18 years old.

I was told it wouldn't last as I hadn't been with him long, still together today!

I always wanted to work for myself and pay etc. Sadly I'm too much of a saver but then my partner is a bit the other way, so we've taught each other some things a long the way

Sadly we got stuck in the private renting loop though, we were even given a large lump sum by someone we know to pay back whenever we could, slowly for a mortgage but the bank wouldn't allow this, as technically it was classed as a loan, even though we wouldn't have any issues paying it back and it made so much more sense. We've never missed any payments and have good credit scores. Sadly we are stuck in a fairly expensive part of the UK, which is where our work is, otherwise we would have definitely of moved to a cheaper part. We've recently had the unfortunate task of finding a place locally as our landlord is taking his property back after years of living here and making it our home. The market is currently impossible to even get a viewing, I was signed up to all of the estate agents, applied for most things that came up online as soon as it appeared. So we had to go for something a fair bit further out and the only property we were able to view.

If I was able to stay at home and got a deposit behind me first, I would have loved to have bought, but there is still time...

I was 16. Had just found out I was pregnant & moved in with my OH. I didn't enjoy living in that street for various reasons but stuck it out for 2.5 years by which time we were able to buy the place we still live in now. I had been taught to cook & bake, I'd always helped manage cleaning & tidying at home. Budgeting was new to me & I made some mistakes credit wise early on but taught ourselves valuable lessons there. Our eldest son (23) is moving out in a matter of weeks so I hope I have prepared him enough, Our other son moved out just over a year ago & is thriving so i'm taking confidence from that.