<prompt> Human: Hello! This is my first post so apologies. The story so far is that both of my parents are abusive and I wont go into specifics about it and it is the same situation at girlfriends household as well.Our plan was right after graduation that we would leave in my car and drive cross country. We already decided on a town to eventually end up in after our trip. I have about 8000 saved up right now and a car thats completely payed off as well. We have been planning this for awhile now and plan to get an apartment and take a gap year for both of us to have jobs and save up, then eventually one of us go to college. So I am here to ask what specifics I would need to prepare for everything and the basics on living alone because we both have no experience at all.I know this might not be the explanation of my situation but I would happily reply to anyones questions if they are kind enough to help with advice on what to do. :EDIT: Thank you so much for all the advice and help that you guys offered. I am honestly grateful for everything and will be doing more research to everything that you guys have said. I really appreciate it!Assistant: 1 Is there a reason why youre going across the country? Obviously your home situation is something you can get out of, but do you have any other support network in your area or in the area youre going to? Sometimes theres an aunt or distant cousin that would be willing to help you get on your feet, sometimes that can mean a room for a couple of months, sometimes that can mean a weekly meal to chat.2 If you both want to go to college, you should both go to college. Definitely look at community colleges where you can transfer to a 4-year school or get an Associates Degree and then continue education into a 4-year degree. Community colleges are much more affordable.3 8,000 is a good chunk of change to get your life started if youre smart about it. Once youve settled into the town you end up, if the weathers nice you can keep staying in your car and get a cheap gym membership like 10-20month to shower at so that you can go to job interviews and the like. You can get a month-to-month room and then rent something more long term once youyour girlfriend get a jobs. Renting a shortterm room generally means theyll have a bed and basic kitchen supplies already, so you put off any big expenses as well.Human: We decided that going cross country would be good for us to try and get away and yes I have relatives living in the state that we are planning on staying if worst comes to worst we would contact them.We have currently looked at community colleges in the down we are living in and have decided to take a gap year to build up some income and then later return back to school.Thank you so much for the help we have also weighed the option of living in my car if money is tight. The gym membership is a great idea thank you!Assistant: I wouldnt wait until worse comes to worse. Contact them now and let them know your plan on travelingmoving out there if you trust them. They may know someone who can help with work or living situations. Familyfriends are good resources. Dont try to do this all on your own if you dont have to. Worst case is they say no. But at least you know before you go and not when you are already there. Human: Okay Ill will try to give them a call I wont know how it goes but hopefully something good would come of it. The only reason I am hesitant about it is because we are afraid they would let our parents know of our plan.  <response>: If I were in your shoes, I personally wouldnt call unless Ive left already because my family culture is the no-nonsense type and would forward the information to my parents due to familial obligation. If you have a good guess about what your relatives are likely to do, make a decision based on that. 