Without spilling specfics, I want to write a little about the recent trip I took to a small college town, which is located just two hours from my city.
I woke up early, before most of the city was awake, to meet my friend. We went together, with his girlfriend too. The train station was big and beautiful, it felt like a mini-airport — except that train stations definitely have more soul than airports. I'm always surprised how it seems like no one is boarding until it is 10 minutes before your train is set to leave, so you head over to your train, and suddenly there is a line there full of people all waiting there. I guess with airports they're so big that you kinda have to camp out around your gate, but that is not the case with train stations.
I thought that I would not be lonely third-wheeling my friend and his girlfriend, but I was. They're not a very affectionate couple PDA wise, but it sucked not being able to experience the trip with her like he did. She also cried a lot before I left, which made it harder to say bye. Out of everyone, I spent the most time with my friend's brother, who is a great guy. It was interesting seeing him in the midst of college experience, living frugally and barely. It's something that I wish I had gotten a chance to experience, but I thank this trip for giving me a glimpse at what that type of life would and does look like for so many people. I don't miss being broke, but there is a very small period of time in your life where working a part-job and making just enough for rent and food and alcohol is okay, considered normal even, and that is now over for me.
I loved the shitty apartment. To enter you had to go up these stairs that took you to the court yard area, which honestly looked like a prison. There were like 3 or 4 floors of apartments, and the stairs and doors and walls were all white. It was raining and the trash on the floor mixed with the rain. The apartments had cockroaches, but they also had balconies, so whether the trade-off is worth it to you is your own prerogative. As a visitor, I loved how small the campus town was. You could walk around and see a lot of the downtown area and campus area within a few hours. Everything is close enough that you can just walk most places, so there's no pressure to miss anything because of a ride. The whole thing just felt very freeing.
When I move out, I know that it won't be like living in that town forever. I wasn't working, wasn't in school, had money, and knew that I wouldn't be there for long. I ate like shit and didn't worry about taking care of myself or having to meet new people. It was a lot of fun, but also not sustainable. When I move out, I'll have to take better care of myself. I'll have to make better decisions when it comes to what I eat and what I drink — how much I drink. I'll have work, a girlfriend, probably still be in school for the next long while, and other responsibilities. Still, the best part about being young in a college town isn't getting drunk all day, it's finally having the space to be yourself around so many people your age. If you want to stay up all night, there is no one to stop you. If you decide that you want a random recliner that sits in the middle of the room, surrounded by tables, you can have that. If you want to have friends over and get drunk while watching a shitty movie, you don't need to consult anyone or try to be discreet with the beers. These are small things but they really do add up.
This trip has solidified my desire to move out. I love my parents and while I get emotional at the thought of seeing them less and seeing them age faster, I know that I need to live on my own eventually. I'm 24. I work and have a girlfriend of almot four years. I make enough money to move out. There's a point where you just feel ready for it. After this trip, I feel more ready than ever.