Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
Living with the family isn’t something that is stigmatised here the way it is in the West. It’s common to live with your family until marriage – sometimes even after marriage!
But for some who crave a little more freedom and independence, moving out is a great way to achieve that.
IRL reached out to a few people and they shared their tips for those keen to move out and live away from family:
1. Emergency contacts
Whether you’re living with a partner, friends, or housemates, it’s wise to have 2 emergency contacts: someone from your family and a person who lives with you.
Ensure that your family and friends know exactly where you’re living and with whom. It’s helpful to not have to bring up your address in times of emergency.
2. Get to know the area
Outside of finding the nearest mamak and kedai runcit, you should also figure out where the nearest police station, fire station, hospital and public transportation stations are.
It’s also good to locate the nearest schools so you can avoid driving there during the times when parents will be dropping off and picking up kids.
Really get to know the small roads, the quickest ways around, and where the jams tend to happen.
3. Budget, budget, budget
The biggest issue about moving out is how much money you have to be prepared to drop on things you never had to spend on before: like food and rent. It’s best to have a generous estimate of how much you’ll spend so you can prepare accordingly. There’s nothing worse than going broke before your salary comes in.
The way bills and rent payments are to be divided between all housemates is something that you have to firmly decide on before moving in.
It’s also good to have a little bit of money tucked away in case of emergencies.
4. Parking your vehicle
Source: The Malaysian Life (Blogspot)
If you have a car, it’s important to know whether you are guaranteed a parking space or if you have to park outside. Not having a parking space can be a pain, depending on the area you’re moving to. Not only do you have to face the hassle of looking for a parking spot every time you return to your new place, but you might also have to park illegally – which opens you up to parking summonses.
5. Stock up on things you need for emergencies
Make sure your new place has a first aid kit, and have a little pharmacy with antihistamines, painkillers and other common medications you might need.
If you can, it would be a good idea to get a little fire extinguisher as well.
It’s tempting to skip this step, but it’s better to have these things lying around unused than to not have them at all when you need them.
6. Get to know the people you’re living with
You don’t have to be best friends, but get to know their medical issues (if any), allergies, and what kind of medication they’re on. Living with someone doesn’t mean that you’re responsible for them, but it does mean that you’re often the nearest person when they’re facing an emergency.
7. Do you have everything you need?
Regardless of whether your new place is furnished or unfurnished, you have to make sure that you have everything that you need. Some people are okay with not having a bed, others would rather die than not have a bedframe. You need to make sure that your creature comforts are addressed by your new home.
Make sure that you have the most important appliances you will need: a fridge, a stove (electrical or gas, doesn’t matter as long as you can cook), etc.
Moving out for the first time can be extremely liberating
It’s a great option for those who feel that they need more privacy and independence from their family. It also teaches you some skills that are fantastic for adulting.
Whatever your reasons are, do be prepared for emergencies and all other possible situations. One of the problems of moving out is that you will not have a safety net in the form of your family if anything happens.
Happy adulting!
For more stories like this, read: Malaysians Are Obsessed With Success & Accomplishments – Here’s Why We Need To Acknowledge Failure Too, The Malaysian Guide To Acing Your Phone Interview, and I’m A Malaysian Woman In My Mid-30s Who Does NOT Want To Get Married.
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