I agree with many of the posts about staying at home, unless your relationship with your parents is a problem. While rare, perhaps, some people need to move out and get on with their lives. I have a good friend who left home at 18 and never looked back. His parents are pretty messed up, but he finished college, a master's degree, and has a great job. He did this all on his own for the most part. It can be done, but you have definitely got to be very self motivated and make good, careful decisions.