Although it’s not in the Filipino culture to move out of the family home once children hit their 20s, a lot of young professionals today are doing so. And it’s not hard to understand why. There are a lot of perks in living independently. For one, you get to have privacy from relatives (especially those who ask incessantly about your love life). And then, of course, you’re able to hang out with friends late into the night. No curfews. Basically, you can run things the way you always wanted.
The rewards aren’t without responsibilities, of course. This is what’s scary for most young adults. Living alone means doing chores, preparing food, paying bills — on your own. That’s why as you scour the Internet and the neighborhood for your own place, get yourself ready emotionally and skillfully as well. Here’s how to prepare right for the big move:
Get Your Finances in Order
Money is a major consideration when living alone. For one, you have to know if you really can afford to get your own place. A lot of single, young professionals go for condominiums, as they are relatively cheaper than houses. Plus, they get to save more on daily expenses when they get a condominium for sale in Pasig or other communities near their workplace and commercial establishments.
When creating a budget for your move, make sure to calculate not just the cost of getting a property, but of maintaining it, too. You want to prepare for expenses on food, transportation, and utilities, which include electricity, Internet connection, cable TV, etc. So save, save, and save money and stick to your budget.
Learn Basic Chores
You should at least know the two major house duties: cooking and doing the laundry. Sure, you can order food from a nearby restaurant or leave your clothes in a laundry shop, but remember the point mentioned earlier — to save money. You will burn your month’s salary in a week if you would always order food or get laundry services.
Before even moving, train yourself in doing these chores. Ask your mom to help you cook at least three of your favorite dishes. Then volunteer to do the laundry at your home one weekend. Of course, it’s better if you can go beyond these chores, and learn how to fix things like a leaky faucet or a broken doorknob. Consider this as an initiation rite towards adulting.
Be Comfortable with Making Friends
In the first few days, you would relish the idea of being alone and of having your private time. But as time goes by, you would soon miss the company of people. Of course, there’s always the option of letting your friends or family sleepover, but they may not always be available to come around.
Even as you are scouting for your new place, train yourself already into making new friends. You would have to get yourself socially active in your neighborhood later on, attending condo association meetings, or getting to know other residents in shared condo amenities. When you have friends in your new place, you get to feel a lot more at home, which greatly helps in the transition period.
Moving out of the family home is overwhelming. But it’s just like any other thing you’re doing the first time. There are a lot of uncertainties, but when you prepare well, you get to tackle it well. Keep in mind these prep tips for a less stressful move.
