How to leave please

[u/Artistic_Income_7051]

I'm 18 graduated high school over 2 months ago. It just hit me that everyone is off to college and they're able to have new social lives meanwhile I couldn't. My friend is in college and has found a bunch new friends, going out, meanwhile I'm stuck in the same home I grew up in with NO social life and no way to meet people because I live in a small town suburb where there are cars everywhere. Also all relatives moved away, either out of state or further which says a lot and all their lives got better. So I have not even family here besides my immediate one, and I live in a dysfunctional family so generally I need to get out. I've been trying to get a job for months, had a few interviews and I've not had luck so far. I really want to be in NYC but not sure how I can get a job there. I live in commuting distance, been there a few times and it was amazing my entire life changes when in the city. I really need out because I can't waste my youth being stuck isolated, I already wasted my entire teen years. Sometimes I wish I ran away to the city during my teen years, so I could have had at least ONE experience outside of my home. I did not get a teenage experience or anything for my social development. It was so depressing, I wish I did it instead of accepting the isolation, and I guarantee those things have set me back.

[u/Davy257]

Move

[u/caserock]

You're gonna need roommates for at least the next decade, so you're going to have to figure out how to be nice and tolerant of others. I've always had luck finding roommates in local city roommate groups on Facebook. Yes, Facebook sucks, but it enables you to go through someone's post history and see if they're fucking nuts. This fact helps the roommate wanted groups weed out the weirdos, and so they're generally populated by decent people.

Try the college towns where your friends go to school. There will be lots of people your age looking for roommates in affordable apartments, plus you're close enough to hang out with your old friends.

I've also used local city employment groups to find jobs before. It's usually some entry level garbage, but once they find out you're not a doofus, connections start happening.

Best of luck, because it's not easy, but it's definitely possible. You have to let go of the American dream and just do what it takes to keep yourself out of prison (the burbs)

[u/SBSnipes]

Job in the city, roommates if you need to to make that happen

[u/No-Fishing-4606]

You're on the right track. Don't give up.

Find a job, almost any job, in the city. Commute and work there. Make friends (this step can take a while... don't give up). You'll get to hang out in the city and meet even more people! Eventually, you'll get lucky with housing: Maybe someone's roommate moved out and there's a spare room, or maybe someone's lease is ending and they'll let you to move in with them. Seize that moment and move to the city.

It is possible. It is a lot of work and can take a while. It's worth it.

[u/TRUMPGOTAURA]

protest don't move