Leaving home as an adult is an especially difficult and stressful process, and it doesn’t matter if you are fresh out of university or older. Deciding to move out of the parents’ home is a huge step towards independence, and building your own life.

Many move out after university, when they get a job and salary starts rolling in. The idea of ‘freedom’, to have one’s own rules and space, is exciting, however, if not well-planned, the transition from your parents’ house into the real world might be even more burdensome. 

Some people rush into it and don’t take into consideration what that big step requires, some have unrealistic choices that clash with how much they earn—like wanting a big house in a fancy area—but moving out requires planning and preparation.

The essence of planning

Winny Ingabire, an accountant in Kigali, says always imagined she’d move out of her parent’s home as soon she was 20. When she was 22, she got a job that didn’t pay much but was enough to get her started. So she decided to move out on her second payment, without really thinking about what she needed first.

"I was overly excited, my parents tried to advise me to stay home but I ignored them and even turned down their help in planning everything. So I looked for a broker, he helped me look for a house that was quite expensive but met my expectations. After that, I thought I had enough money to buy some furniture but I didn’t realise how expensive it was, and so my parents ended up buying me the required furniture. Honestly, moving out was not as easy as I thought it would be,” she shares.

 Ingabire says that things are now going well, mostly because she eventually got another house that she can afford. "Moving out with high expectations that don’t meet your financial status is the wrong move because it requires a lot, there are expenses you will need to manage. It is best to think of that before so you don’t end up having problems with your landlord, or find yourself unable to keep up with bills.”

Moving out on your own is an important step in adulthood, but if your finances aren’t in order, problems will arise. And, Clementine Cyuzuzo, a former finance expert with Genocide Survivors Support and Assistance Fund (FARG), says that before moving out, you need to have a reason for taking that step.

"If you are living at your parents’ place, there is usually no rush to move out, so it is not really necessary. Moving requires a lot and you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself when you are still in a place that offers you everything.

"Before moving out I suggest you first look at your revenue and match it with expenditure, and plan based on what the requirements you need are, if you find you can manage all of that, then you can consider moving out,” she says.

According to Dr Teddy Kaberuka, a business partner at M4Progress Ltd and Centrix Group, moving out should be planned way ahead of time.

"Anyone who plans to move out needs to save enough money so that at the time of moving out, they are able to finance the expenses related, because moving out comes with costs, and they should know how much everything will cost, like monthly rent, food, and furniture,” he says.

Kaberuka says it is also crucial to consider the future, and be wise with your spending, not all spending is justifiable.

 Pascal Ntibarwiga, a broker who has been in the field for many years, explains that when a client has expectations they can’t do otherwise, all they do as professionals is advise on what suits one’s capacity.

"Of course when a client has in mind what their dream house is and where it should be, our job is to look for the desired house and present it to them. But, we also advise them to make a decision that won’t affect them in the long run and force them to move out again because their expenses became too much,” he explains.

In the article "Moving out of home - tips for young people”, it says, "It’s common to be a little unsure when you make a decision like leaving home. Think about:

• whether this is your choice, and if you feel ready, or if you are feeling pressured to move out by other people

• whether you have somewhere safe to live – if you are under 18 you might find it difficult to rent a house or sign a lease.

• whether you have enough money to support yourself – ask someone to help you draw up a budget to be sure that you can afford to cover the essentials like rent, bills and groceries. 

Financial experts highlight that you need to make sure you have enough money to cover the first couple months of rent should anything with your income change. This includes budgeting out all the expenses that come with moving, like hiring a moving company, purchasing new furniture, paying security deposits, application fees, and more.

"Without a steady income coming in every month, paying your bills will become an extremely stressful task. This often leads to detrimental long-term financial woes like debt and late payments. Moving out isn’t worth it if it means damaging your personal finances in the short and long run,” writes Dawn Ventura in her article "10 Tips For Moving Out of Your Parents House” published by Meathead Movers.