Living on my own

[RavenRockstar]

My father recently decided that he was going to move to Texas so that he could get a new job.
I, however, want to stay in olorado because with the school I have I can finish High School by the end of the year (we would be moving in a month). Plus the college I want to attend is here (not to mention the fact that I really dont want to move away from my best friend)
So my father and I got into a discussion about it, in which he mentioned the possibility of my Grandmother paying for a cheap apartment for me to stay in, so that I could finish school here.
Pretty much evey part of my brain screamed at me to take that and run, but the little logical voice in my head wondered if I could handle it.
I've been being left at home from the time I get home from school to the time I go to bed for years, because as a single parent, my dad has to work lots of hours.
I've even been left by myself when he goes on buisness trips and the like.
But I know thats not quite the same as living on ones own completely.
I baisically wondering if I have... I guess the maturity level, to stay on my own.
Opinions, advice, or anthting are welcome

[Jericho Desu]

This all depends on how you can cope with responsibility really, if your Grandmother is paying for your rent and I assume your bills/food will be taken care of as well, then you'd just be cleaning after yourself. If I was going by age alone then I'd say you were too young IMO, but this all depends on you, we don't know you, so we can't know if your mentally up to this, only you can decide, the fact that your Dad and Grandmother think you can do this though leads me to believe you'll be just fine.

[Chidoriashi]

I'm pretty sure you cannot legally live on your own yet, so I'm not quite sure how you will be working this out.

[nice gaijin]

If someone is paying your cost of living, you aren't really on your own. What you should be asking is if you can handle being alone, rather than being on your own.

In all it seems short terms and a good compromise. If you can handle the responsibility for maintaining your own space and don't take it for granted or let others take it for granted, I don't see why not.

[hideway]

Go and give it a try! It is way easier than it looks, really.

If you've a bit of sense and self discipline you'll be fine. And maturity is something you gain by keep going at those life challenges, so don't be afraid of anything, even if you don't have it right now, that maturity will quickly catch up with you.

My advice is to keep things tidy and try learning how to cook home meals (if you don't know already)!

[Elizabeth]

Whether you make it depends on getting an exceptional value for money against your standards of comfort and location more than anything. How cheap does no frills, temporarily low income, clean, safe (from crime and chemicals) housing come in Pueblo ?


Assess for yourself how cheap is cheap ? Or, how cheap is enough (for your grandmother)?

[Emoni]

Do what you need to do in order to get in and through college. A college education is mandatory if you want real choices in life. Knowledge is power, and education and those damn degree pieces of paper are extremely important for that.

You'll be fine. Just don't let emotions or foolishness get the better of you. Focus on what you need to do. It's hard, certain times will be very hard, but it is part of growing up.

[Derfel]

Its one of those baptism by fire kind of things. As Emoni has impliedly stated the joy caused by having a degree far outweighs the suffering you would experience during a year alone.

You will have to grow a thick carapace of 'f*ck you' to deal with the sh*t the world will fling at you.

Chaps in the USSR started university at 16, the same age as you and they were alright. Just go for it and finish high school as soon as possible, its a waste of time anyway and the real deal is higher education.

[Tsuyoiko]

Judging from your posts here you seem pretty mature, and as Jericho Desu says, if your dad and grandmother think you can handle it you have a good chance. I don't think living on your own completely is that much different from staying on your own for a few days when your dad's away.

Will there be someone nearby who can help you out with anything you can't deal with by yourself?

[Mikawa Ossan]

Where does your grandmother live? I ask because the hardest thing about living on your own is what to do when something bad happens. For example, I lost my key to my apartment once, and I had to wait until the next day before I could get a replacement. Luckily I had a friend who let me stay at his place for the night. Otherwise I probably would have slept at work. Another time my car broke down, and I didn't know any auto shops to take it to. Luckily a friend helped out this time, too.

Day to day life is not really much of a problem living alone. It does get rather lonely sometimes, but it's not difficult. It's when something unexpected happens that you have to watch out for. If your grandmother or other people that you know you can trust are nearby, then you should be fine.

[justin]

You seem like a very mature person and you already have some experience with being on your own with your father's trips. I say go for it, but just remember it's not like staying at your dad's house by yourself. You'll have neighbors with their own quarks and taking care of the place falls on your shoulders.

Some advice:

1. Grease fires need to be smothered by putting a lid over the pot or dumping baking soda over it. (not going to go into the story of how I learned that one) :)

2. Pick up a first aide kit (I needed one with lots of band aids).

3. Go easy on the top ramen. It's tastey and cheap, but not really good for you. I had a buddy in college how almost had a heart attack from eatting way too much ramen.

4. To help fight lonelieness hang up some pictures of your family. It helped me when I moved to california.

5. A maglite flashlight makes a great club. (not to bad as a flashlight either) :) I'm not saying you're going to have any trouble, but it's nice to have just in case of an emergency.


I'm sure you'll do great on your own. Good luck!

[janoun2003]

Live with othrs and exchenge wat u hav as aided

[Kinsao]

I don't think you should find too much of a problem. I had a couple of friends lived on their own from age 16 (it's legal here) and they were ok. There are some inconveniences, like someone mentioned locked out, but they are universal in living alone no matter what age you are!

To be honest I don't much like living on my own, simply because I get lonely fast and like being around people, but I still did it for 8 years without problems. And there are some good sides, like you can do more or less what you want.

Just keep things clean, and you will be fine! :)