AITA for wanting to move out?

I'm sorry in advance for the length. I'm 18f and desperately crave a new space. I live with my mom (44f). My brother (21m) moved out last year, and I'd rather die than live with my father (52m).

Some backstory: I was taken out of the school system in 9th grade due to mental health issues and lack of educational help. Ever since, I've been an interest-based homeschooler. During my time of teaching myself, I have learned how to properly write screenplays, and I've been working on an anthology of poems, which is great until it comes to the idea of college. My dream college barely gives a shit about creatives, and mainly cares about grades and test scores; and since I have been the one to teach myself, I haven't been strict on math or civics.

My mom isn't the (whole) reason why I want to move out. The townhouse we live in is of such poor quality. There's little to no insulation in the walls, so I hear my neighbors fart, stomp, sneeze and talk. After seven years of this, I had had enough. In January of this year, I was so overstimulated from the noise coming from both ends, when all I wanted was quiet; my mom took me to stay in a hotel for the night. I was/am so grateful. The next night, we tried sleeping at home, but I just got riled up again, so we ended up staying at my aunt's house. The NEXT night, mom forced me to stay home and bought me silencing headphones. I use them daily. (I didn't score high enough for autism, but my mom (who is a developmental care specialist) believes I'm on the spectrum. )

My brother and his fiancée, Kay(25f), are moving into an apartment at the end of December/early January, and we have decided that I'll be joining them. It's been a topic of conversation for a few weeks now. I've visited the complex and fell in love. Quiet, actual quiet, and not the deafening kind. We'll be right across from her mom, too. Kay has a degree in education, and she has been helping me find a good GED program. She's promised to help me with the classes, and I won't have to contribute to rent until I'm finished with that and have a stable job. Kay and my brother are allowing me to take my boys (cat and beardie), as long as I am the one to provide for them, which I already do.

I've mentally prepared myself, I'm assuming, bro and Kay did too, but my mom isn't taking it so lightly. She's supportive and excited for me and my future, but she keeps telling me how she feels about it. I appreciate it, but it can be a little heavy at times.

I hear these at least twice a day: "I can't help but think I've failed my kids," and "It makes me feel some type of way, knowing my kids are better off when they're moved out." She's upset with her relationship with her mother, so now she's paranoid that we'll end up like that. That is highly impossible. (I'm with her every second-when she's not at work, and don't usually hate her company. )

We've already made plans for Movie Monday, and she's 'allowed' to spend a couple of nights with us if she needs a break. I will only be 30-something minutes away. She hasn't implied that I've made her angry or that I'm an asshole, but I feel bad for putting my mom through this. The only slight reason why my mom would be the reason why I want to leave is that she pisses me off sometimes, but that's just how it is. I piss her off, she pisses me off, it's a wonderful relationship. (I'm not being sarcastic) I'm sure sometimes she wishes I had moved already, but here we are.

TL;DR: Am I the Asshole for wanting to move out because my townhouse pisses me off on a DEEP level?

I'm sorry for the length. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you, have a great day.

Posted Dec 3, 2025, 1:30 AM UTC

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