Considering Moving Out

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So, with my brother and his girlfriend finally moving out of our parents' basement at the end of this month, it's gotten me seriously considering moving out as well, into an apartment close to where I go to school.

At this point, I think moving out may be the best thing for me to do to start on the path to fully independent living; just going cold-turkey, kind of. I currently go to college three days a week in a different city from where I'm living, and it's a half-hour drive to and from the school (an hour-long round-trip) for my parents to drive me, which I know is inconvenient for them. Normally, I take the bus, which costs less, but that's an hour-and-a-half each way, and I'm not too fond of how long that takes.

The place is less than half a mile from the school, is reasonably priced (I'm looking at a 700 sq ft, one-bedroom apartment for $750/month) provides amenities such as on-site laundry and an outdoor heated pool, and is right on the bus line to shopping and other places, which is great for me, since I can't drive.

The only drawback is that if I want to keep my current job (and I certainly do) I'd have to commute to work here on Friday afternoons and stay at my parents' house overnight before returning home on Saturday afternoon after work. While not too inconvenient, it would still be kind of annoying to have to do every week.

I've discussed it in passing with my parents a couple of times, but I'm still not quite sure if I should go for it. We were thinking of trying it on a trial-basis, just to see if it's work out, first; like only leasing for a month, to see if I could handle it all by myself. I'd only be a half hour drive away if something happened, and only ten or fifteen minutes away from where my brother's moving to, so, there's that. I guess, mostly, I'm not sure if I want to move in the middle of winter, really.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

I think you should do it. Moving out is the best thing I've ever done. I'm an hour from my parents' house and I go there almost every weekend to do laundry. I don't know how willing the people who own the apartments would be to let you try it out for a month, but if you can work it out with them that sounds like a good idea. Although I would like to add that the first couple weeks are going to be tough, so if you do that make sure you hold out for the whole month before you decide you can't handle it. 99% of the time I really love living by myself, the other 1% is spent doing dishes or cooking lol. I really like being close to my college too. I say go for it.

Most places won't rent to you for a month, so before you go any further, find out if the place would.
I think the going back "home" once a week is not a bad way to do it. It would give you a chance to try your wings, but have regular contact. I guess you can afford it? Do you know about all bills that would be involved? Is there a counselor or someone you can plan this out with? It's great you are looking for independence, and it's also great if you decide it's not the time. I do think you need a disinterested party, like a therapist or counselor to help you work out the details, keep you grounded, learn.