I was 17, graduated high school a year early. Had my own apartment and worked at McDonald’s. Of course, that was 1974.
At 17. Finished High school living in my own rental and then off to Alaska to commercial fish. Couldn’t wait to leave home.
I was 17...got married had our first home soon after...first child at 18 second at 20. Worked in the family businesses.
Got the boot once school was out.17
I know in Italy there is a phenomenon called “Mama's Boy's”, where grown, working and independent men, live at home well into their late 30’s with aging folks. The folks still cook, clean, do laundry, etc. for the son even though he may be a high income earner and drive a Maserati.
When I returned home after college it just didn’t feel right and I headed out to room with a friend 1/2 a continent away. Drifted around for a couple years then I found HER or she found me. Anyway the next thing I know We’re living in an apartment, working in a factory and buying a washing machine and dryer.
17.
I first ran away from home around the age of 6. I spent a few hours in the garage. I think one night I slept on the roof to make my parents think I left. Then I jumped off as they watched in horror as I landed in the azalea bushes.
I had to rake the leaves and couldn’t ride my bike for a week.
Now I run a small motel off the interstate. I live in the house up the hill with my mom. She never goes out. The motel is clean and I like to share toasted cheese sandwiches with the occasional guest.
I was living with my mother and taking care of her while she was dying of cancer. She died when I was 18 and I was on my own. I’m always impressed by those industrious souls who had jobs and were on their own early.
Came home, immediately started looking for full-time employment. Was enrolled full-time at the university, too.
The second I got the job, moved out to make room for my four brothers and sisters at home. I wanted the independence, family needed the room, I stayed until 24 because I was eldest, father had passed away, mother needed some support at home.
By then, my brothers and sisters were a bit older, and life at home could be managed, after a fashion.
Got married within 2 years of that date. Been married 26 years so far....
One month after my 18th birthday. I wanted to be independent, my parents wanted the same.
18, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1975 (peacetime)
I left home 2 months after turning 18.
Enlisted in the US Coast Guard. Very scary but exciting stuff for a 5 foot nothing little girl from West Texas.
Great decision.
18. Went away to college and was on my own after that. Came home to visit the first Christmas and discovered my Dad had converted my bedroom into an office.
What’s a home?
Seems to be an older demographic on this site.
I left home two months shy of my 20th birthday in 1974. I wanted to be independent of my widowed mother and she wanted her own place. First time we related to each other as adults and quit quarreling.
When I was 17 I stood facing oncoming traffic, stuck my thumb out, and kept going.
The first ride hired me for the day to string some communication wire between two rigs and introduced me to a driller that had an opening on his crew. Lived in Killdeer, ND, and worked as a roughneck on the drilling floor as a 17 year old. The company was Brinkerhoff Signal and the rig was down two hours of gravel road somewhere to the west of Grassy Butte, ND.
At 18, in a Gremlin.
Worked several jobs at once, just to get away.
Briefly had to stay at the ‘rents house in my twenties.
It was hell.
You really can’t go home again.
Mom died when I was 7, foster care until 13 when my aunt got custody of me. She died when I was 15. My Grandmother said I was too wild so she kicked me out. Lived on the beach and then in my car once hit 16. First job at 14, my aunt told them I was 16, 1976.