Hiya,
This sounds like a really big and tough decision! I think it is brave that you are even considering moving out to be honest.
While I haven’t been in a similar situation, I do have friends with similar circumstances. Based on what you said, it sounds like you want to try and gain some independence and freedom but maybe a little apprehensive to do so. That is completely understandable! I think most people have worries the first time they move away from home. I think it would be good for you to consider how you think your home life would effect your uni work and uni experience, if the cycle does come back around?
Most students work and I think you will be able to find a flexible job that works for you, no problem. Applying to your university to be a student ambassador is a great option too! Money is always tight for students, even if you live at home and work but everyone is in the same boat! If you move out, all your friends and house mates will be students too. As long as you budget well, you can get by just fine. You have all your life to save! We all want to save but it is okay to put that on hold while you are studying. It's one less pressure!
Don't worry about learning to cook. There is so many online resources and you tube videos that make learning to cook easy, even if you have never done it before! It often seems overly complicated, but start basic and you can slowly build on the different things you can cook. The first thing I learnt to cook was a spaghetti Bolognese, and that’s all I could cook until I started to teach myself more when I was about 19/20 years old. I know lots of people that learnt to cook while at uni. Just an added bonus if you ask me.
Honestly, I think you would love uni life and finding yourself and your independence! I'd say go for it! Everything in life an experience and we always learn something. So even if after 6 months you decide you'd like to move back home, then you can!
It is also important to do what feels right for you and don't move out based on what others think you should do. Take some quiet time for yourself and think about your life over the next 3 years, what can you see yourself doing? What to you want to experience? What makes you more excited?
I hope this helps! Good luck making your decision and whatever you decide, I hope you love university as much as I do!
Sophie (ARU)