i am sorry to hear about the loss of your little brother
something like that can really tear a family up and i am happy to hear you are handling it the best anyone could
to answer your original question, yes i have moved away from home. i was born and raised in michigan and went to college there as well. my family is a little dysfunctional as well lol and i felt they never really wanted me to grow up. i could never make any decisions without getting a lecture from them on how i was doing everything wrong
. well i got divorced and just needed a fresh start. i made the decision to move to either texas or north carolina (had never been to NC before and had only visited houston once when i was really young LOL) because i thought those places sounded nice. within 2 weeks of making that decision, my best friend and i (he is now my fiance!) had packed up and totally moved 1200 miles away. oh and BTW, i had no job and did not know a single person in plano, texas which is where i moved. my friends and family were pretty shocked
i have NEVER regretted moving away. i found a great job here and love living away from home. i get to make my own decisions and do not need "permission" to do anything. i bought a house all on my own, bought a car, etc and made good decisions!
you are very mature for your age. i made the move when i was 28. i think you would be very happy being on your own and making your own way. good luck in whatever you choose