Moving out for uni: pros and cons

Uni life

Published 24 Jan, 2023 · 6-minute read

The university offer has come, enrolment is completed, now there’s just one thing left to decide – is your teenager moving out of home?

This question is often met with mixed feelings, and understandably so. Making a decision about your daughter or son moving out of home is not quite as straightforward when they’re attending university locally. The list of pros and cons can appear fairly balanced.

Ultimately, the answer to your teen's question 'should I move away from home?' depends on your family situation and your teen’s personality. So, we’ve put together a straightforward list of pros and cons for moving out of home for uni, as well as a few questions to discuss with your teen, which will help you both come to a decision.

The pros and cons of moving out of home to go to university

Finances

The big ‘F’. This one is usually the first thing most teens and parents need to consider when contemplating whether moving out of home to study is a viable option. We aren’t going to sugar coat it – the cost of living out of home is high, especially in capital cities, and the income of a tertiary student is usually quite low. Despite this disparity, however, many students still manage to pay rent and bills, work, study and save. It isn’t easy, but it’s doable.

Questions to ask your teen

Have you calculated the estimated cost of your studies, and how long it will take you to pay off your student loan/s (if applicable)?
When would you like to own your own home?
Do you have any costly purchases you wish to prioritise soon, e.g. a car or an international holiday?
Do you plan to continue to work at, or find, a casual job while you study? Or would you prefer to focus on your studies?

Higher cost of living is often one of the biggest disadvantages of moving out of home. Make sure you talk to your teen about their short- and long-term goals, and how they prioritise these, when discussing the financial impacts of moving away to study.

Pros and cons – finances

Pros of moving out	Cons of moving out
learning how to budget increased appreciation for the cost of items and activities discovering how to live frugally potential for cheaper commute to university/work reduced travel time could mean more time to earn money at a casual job.	added cost of rent, utilities and furniture possible increased financial reliance on parents less opportunity to save money – longer timelines for financial goals potential for increased distractions from study due to needing to work more hours to pay bills less money for hobbies or activities that promote a healthy study/life balance.

Looking for financial assistance for your teen to attend university? UQ has over 500 scholarships and grants for coursework students. Browse our scholarships to discover what’s available.

Workers at a Krispy Kreme food truck hand out boxes of donuts to UQ students

UQ hosts a range of events for students, offering free or discounted food & social activities.

Independence

Independence tends to be the main driving factor behind a teenager moving out of home. Transitioning into adulthood is an exciting time, and many teens don’t want to feel as though they’re lagging behind their peers who’ve chosen to leave the nest.

Conversely, some teens may be more reluctant to leave home during a period of big change. Having a stable and familiar home environment may be what they need to cope with these shifts in their everyday life. It may not be so much that they’re scared to move out of home, but just that they need time to settle into university life before they’re ready to go out on their own.

Questions to ask your teen

Pros and cons – independence

Pros of moving out	Cons of moving out
builds confidence improves decision-making skills expands worldview encourages original/independent thoughts.	feelings of homesickness or isolation heightened social anxiety away from ‘comfort zone’ reluctance to ask for help when needed distance from reliable support unit.

Study environment

Sometimes the excitement of moving out of home for the first time and starting a new life can overshadow the actual purpose of relocating – to study at university. It’s important for your teen to think about the kind of study habits they want to develop and the grades they’re aiming for. Where they’re living can have a big impact on their study.

Your teen may choose to keep home and study environments separate – for example, if they live in a crowded share house but utilise the university library for study. Help them carefully consider what kind of environment they need to concentrate, and where they'll be able to create this.

Questions to ask your teen

Pros and cons – study environment

Pros of moving out	Cons of moving out
more time and energy to study if commute to uni is shortened closer study support if living with other students/closer to student support services may teach better self-control.	increased potential for distractions if less stable living environment easy to get swept up in party culture, which can have negative effect on study enhanced exposure to peer pressure to attend social events over study.

Find out more about the types of student accommodation close to UQ’s campuses.

Student sitting at a desk with headphones in, typing on his laptop at UQ law library

UQ St Lucia's Law Library has 24-hour study spaces for quiet, focused concentration.

Relationships

Going to university is a chance to meet new people, try new things and get involved in different social circles. There’s undoubtedly more freedom for teens to do this outside of the family home.

Navigating new relationships while living at home can be an uncomfortable and sensitive topic for both you and your teen. Keep an open and transparent dialogue about mutual respect and agree on a set of ground rules for guests. Your teen will need to learn to do this with anyone they live with, so establishing these expectations early will set them up for harmonious share house living when they eventually end up moving out of home for the first time.

You may have concerns about your teenager moving out of home and distancing themselves from the family. These are natural feelings for parents, and it can be hard to let go after having your child so close to you for what’s often been their entire life. Keep in mind that distance can make many teens appreciate their family even more.

Questions to ask your teen

Do you feel as though living at home would stifle your ability to explore romantic relationships?
Are we able to come to an agreement about bringing guests back to the family home if you decide to stay?
Do you think living at home will restrict your freedom to go out partying and socialising with your friends?
Would you be happy to establish regular family meals or check-ins if you move out of home?

Pros and cons – relationships

Pros of moving out	Cons of moving out
freedom to explore different social circles privacy for romantic relationships distance may enhance appreciation of family/strengthen family relationships increased networking opportunities for future career.	distance may put a strain on communication with family/increase alienation potential risk of ‘falling in with the wrong crowd’ without parental guidance neglecting former local communities/relationships that provided social nourishment.

When is the right time for your teen to move out of home?

Only you and your teen can decide when is the ‘right’ time for moving out of home to study at university. They may feel ready now and want to move out as soon as possible, or they may feel reluctant to make this big change just yet. We hope discussing all of the above factors has shed some light on the practicalities involved with moving out for uni.

Your teenager moving out of home is a big step. Remember to be kind to yourself and to them while making the decision. Milestones like this take careful consideration, and talking openly about it together will make the process smoother.

The transition from high school to uni is another big change in a teenager’s life. Find out how you can help make your teen’s transition a little easier.

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