Moving out. Am I too young?

Question

Hi,
I'm 16 and I want to move out. I have a serious job and everything set up for my life. I dropped out of school 2 years ago so I could pursue my dreams and help out my family (and made it work) so I know about responsibility. I want to move across the country to LA for opportunities there. My Mom and Dad aren't sure about this, so I was just wondering what people thought. I don't really mind where I live at the moment, but I feel like I'm hanging around here, waiting to grow up.
What do you think? Am I too young? or, if not, how do i convince them?
Many Thanks
All and any suggestions very much appreciated

Wow. That was pretty fast for thirtysomething responses so thanks for all the input.
The most useful by far was somebody who said about my signature not being legally recognized (that really might be a pain). I think "dropped out" was definitely the wrong term. I knew about the ramifications of not having a GED (or higher), but I didn't really see (and still don't) that it proved anything. I would certainly be depressed to end up in a job that required any of these qualifications (and subsequent road to corporate boredom). When I said I had a job, I didn't mean pumping gas, I earn more than most adults I know (isn't the internet a brilliant place :) ) and I have several things going on at once in case one fails.
As far as the comments about LA being a dangerous place, I lived for a year in a war zone and know how to handle myself.
I'm not really sure why I'm posting this edit (since it has been almost unanimously no), I guess I'm just stubborn.

Thanks for the few "run with your dream" comments very much appreciated.

Answer 1

Age has NOTHING to do with if your grown or not..I moved out at 16 cuz I had a baby and i couldn't handle being a daughter and a mother in the same household.. i'm now 24 and i'm still on my own.. Moving out at 16 was the best decision i ever made and i don't regret it either....just make sure you are ready for everything that comes with moving out... bills,,bills, bills, and of course doing everything for yourself.. for me it was a breath of fresh air even tho i had bills. but you should consider going back to school.. there is night school.. I went to night school and worked during the day...an I did it with 2 kids.. just make sure you can make it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.. you only have one life and if you don't live it no one else will...but try moving out in your own town 1st to make sure you can do it and to show your parents you can do it that way they won't worry so much bout u...good luck

Answer 2

I wish more than anything you would take this info to heart! Being young is so incredible. You are beautiful, talented, strong. . .you have this wonderful time to enjoy things that are not available to you later. I am 37, a mother of a precious girl and so very happy with my life.

I partied with celebs in L.A. for 10 years after college. I have lived the life and enjoyed it so much!

What I did to get there is this: I completed H.S., attended University (was in a Sorority, something so special that cannot happen to you any other way!), I graduated. At the time I worked for a bank, with my degree so many opportunities were presented to me. I decided to transfer (within the bank) to Beverly Hills. (FUN!) I was offered a position as an assistant to a stock broker, worked my way up (very quickly) and made lots of money.

It was a fun life, after 10 years, I settled down, got married and have everything I could ever want.

Two of the most important things I have ever learned are: 1) If it is a good idea today, it will be a good idea 6 months from now as well. 2) It takes work, but make sure you ALWAYS have options!

Fallow your dreams, I hope you get everything you could hope for! Just do it safely. Have something to fall back on. There are literally millions of people in LA with talent who are now junkies and whores because they didn't educate themselves or plan well.

Take care of yourself and enjoy your life!

Answer 3

I think you are too young. If you have a job and want to move, that is great...but at 16, moving to a big city without family nearby to get a job with a 14 year olds education is dangerous. You need to at least be 18 before moving across country to make your own life, maybe get a GED if you haven't yet and a few years of college under your belt. You sound like you're doing great, so far. Have some fun as a teen, finish your schooling, then go make your life. Good luck.

Answer 4

Well, I would say your still too young. Moving across country without a proper education is a big risk. I know you dropped out to help your family but school is a huge factor in the world of careers today. So i suggest that you try and finish up school. In a lot of cases you'll be able to find more money making opportunities with a good education that will keep you set for life. You dont have to rush things because money can go by fast if you dont use it right. But I wish you and your family all the best and my prayers are with you!

Answer 5

You know what, you have the attitude to be someone great & by f..k do I want to assist that as you remind me of me when I was 16. I ran away once but went back but I tell you I'm 29 now & never really jumped. I've achieved nothing & am not joking I was more respected, feared & listened to at 16 than I am now. I had a managers job at 16!! My next one was 27, life is cruel, don't make my mistakes older age is nothing more than being a cripple, experience is futile & bitter it has nothing over fealessness of youth & stand by what you want to do.

But what I do say in your heart you are obviously mature, intelligent & street wise but other people will still you as 16, i.e. your parents. So show your maturity by respecting others & listening. Just hold back a little on your confidence & impatience & the doubters will realise you have to be set free now.

Always remember a lot of people will still see you as 16, there will be sharks, there will be evil people with hidden agendas & there will be time wasters. Don't be fooled, stay close to the winners & never give up!! Gd luck (now go away.)

Answer 6

first of all if you have ti ask than you think you are too young. n my opinion...at 16 you are too young. LA is not a place for anyone by themselves...It is a tough place to live. I lived in southern calif for 25 years.


Life is hard, and jobs are tough to get specially if you don't have any college. I would suggest getting a local job and putting yourself through college first than move on. Listen to your parents...they have a few years of experience over yours and they only do and say what they think is best for you.


I have a college degree and have been working in my field for 20 years and I am still struggling financially to make it on my own.


Also... I left home when i was 22, turned out to be the biggest mistake I have ever made. Because now my family has grown, all my nephews and nieces are grown and I missed it and you can never go back... I missed a lot of my family stuff. I'm not saying live with mom and dad forever but stay in the same state


Good luck to you and your fam

Answer 7

You're too young and your post proves your immaturity and inability to live on your own. Kids your age think they know everything and are so grown up. You're not. Considering you dropped out of school you've shown you cannot even complete an education which is absolutely vital these days.

Grow up, finish your education, save your money, and move out when you're 21-22. It would be much smarter and far more responsible than what you're doing now.

EDIT:

Wow two thumbs down for telling this kid how immature he is. Sad. I wonder where the priorities of those who gave me the thumbs down are.

I'm a Californian by birth and lived there my entire life until a year ago. California; be it the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. Gas, food, rent, EVERYTHING. A studio apartment in a moderate neighborhood will easily demand $1100+ in rent. California is a vile, harsh beast whether you're in the slums or in Beverly Hills.

Life may be good for you now kid but that money you're earning can easily dry up in 5-10 years. Don't think it can? Guess what? It DOES happen. Seriously, get an education. You will be far more respected in the workforce than continuing to be some know-it-all schmuck.

Don't come crying back here in five years when you have moved out and you've learned the hard way just how difficult California and living on your own at 16 can be.

And for those of you who don't believe me or think I'm wrong, get your priorities straight. It's a lot tougher out there these days than it used to be.

Answer 8

A friend of mine left his home at 15 because he was being severely abused. He made it work. I think that, as long as you're a decently independant age, it comes down to responsibility.

That said, I think you need to consider the difference between the responsibility of "helping out your family" and the responsibility of taking care of yourself, alone, on the other side of the country. I think a useful step would be to live on your own (paying your own rent and bills) for some time in the same city as your parents. That would give you an idea of how it would be if you moved to L.A. If it works out, your parents might be more inclined to agree to the bigger move.

If I was a parent, I'm sorry to say but I wouldn't trust my child to attempt this. I wouldn't take dropping out of school at 14 to "pursue your dreams" as a case for responsibility.

But I do understand that sometimes circumstance requires deviation from the norm. Without knowing your particular situation, my say is that I wouldn't do it, I wouldn't let you do it, but it can be done.

Answer 9

I hope you really think about what I am going to tell you and think about it. YOU have to go back to school you are trying to grow up to fast you are in a part of life you can never get back. I felt grown up took off when I was 16 assumed all kinds of responsibilites even became a top model of California but , I can tell you if I was your age the smart thing is to get back to school if you are not liking school you have some kind of gift that you can do really well combine that with some sort of finishing school look i will even help you if you don"t have that kind of support. In this age if you don"t have some kind of degree you are screwed. you want kids some day don"t you?that all cost big money and you will want to be a good provider. Be a kid as long as you can there is plenty of time in your life to be saddeled down with all kinds of worry. I know you are anxious to began your new journey it is not time yet, it will come soon.I have lived in Los Angles that is rough for a young man. Please wait! think about what I have written . what is your family like? are they supportive of what you are thinking of doing and why?

Answer 10

Just keep in mind that you won't be able to sign a contract (and thus make a legally recognized agreement) for another two years or so. If hundreds--or thousands--of miles separate you and your legal guardians, restricting your contact to electronic means or, given the wait, the USPS, the task of reaching out to your parents when you need to obtain an apartment lease, medical care, and even those quotidian services which independently living adults would find inconsequential, may lay unwanted, or even insurmountable hindrances in your path.