this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2024
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Background+rant: I'm in my early to mid-20s and still living at home with my dad. I'm not a NEET and am employed at a normal office job. I enjoy the comfort of my home. I like being with family (and I believe they feel blessed to have their kid at home longer). I like not having to pay rent. However, I also keep feeling some nagging pressure to "grow up and leave the nest".

Everything in my mind tells me that moving out is irrational. I would lose 1/3rd of my income to rent, go through a bunch of logistical hoops to find a new place, lose the last few moments I have with my family, just so I can prove to nobody that I'm independent, maybe discover new things, and also probably get in on some of that loneliness action that the rest of my generation is going through.

Yet, the pressure is still there. No one looks down on me for it, but I feel a bit embarrassed to tell people I'm living at home, like I'm admitting failure or incompetency. My friends will occasionally ask when I'm planning on moving out and the question just lingers longer than it should in my head. I compare myself to my parents and grandparents and can't help but feel like a child compared to the people they were when they were at my age.

Obviously quite conflicted on this, so I'm interested in seeing what others have to say.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Do you do your own laundry?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (5 children)

We do all the rounds together since it's easier. My dad does handle most things which I guess may contribute to some of my independence worrying...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

My biggest concern with someone who doesn’t get a stage of living alone/with roommates you’re not dating is their ability to cook/clean well. If I were you, I’d make sure I was capable of doing all the jobs and taking over at least enough to pull my own weight, though if your parents don’t want financial compensation, extra chores would be nice

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

With all the things I hear about housing being unavailable and unaffordable I wouldn't blame someone in their 30s even for still living at home, provided you actually contribute to bills etc. A friend of my wife's has a multigenerational household and I don't think of any of them as taking advantage of the other or being lazy.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

I think just do what feels good to you. As long as you're contributing to bills, cooking some meals and doing your own laundry etc you're not stunting yourself by being there.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

I recently moved out after 1 year as NEET. I worked and payed rent to my father (nothing much).

I know lots of people who live in multi generational house - usually divided in few units.

My parents took it little bit like a shock - I told them that about week before I moved out and my brother moved at the same time and told them at the same time.

My parents set up our house to be multi generational and knew well that only hope for us to get home is to wait for our grandparents to die (I know but it is what it is).

If I and my brother didn't get work that far away we would live with them now. So I think it isn't bad thing to live with your parents.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

If you're dating and looking for someone to "settle down with" this might be a deal breaker. On the other hand your situation is becoming more common. Regardless of how you feel I hope you are socking away some money. If you do want to own your own home, housing prices are cyclical (at least in the US). Be ready to pounce when the bubble bursts. Having 20% or more for a down payment can save you a lot of money. That's pretty generous of your parents to not make you pay rent.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

If you're happy being there and they're happy having you, then stay, you're pocketing so much more. Since you're employed, just make sure your family is taken care of, chip in for groceries or a new TV if they seem to need it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

We haven't seen this 'them and us' financial divide for a century or more.

In those times generations of families lived together. Until there's another reset to allow the middle classes to thrive again, this is the new normal.

That said, the middle classes have been being silly and trying to keep up with each other and bankrupting themselves. Houses are at very high prices because people will pay higher prices: both parties in a relationship working and paying someone else, school or nanny, or child care to parent their kids. A divorced couple or a high proportion of singles needs double the number of houses as a couple. Leasing brand new cars. Eating out or takeaway every night .. bigger and bigger government. It all costs.

Add in stupid net zero emissions policy for tiny nations like the UK, rather than tackle the real polluting nations and you've got kids living at home looking after elderly parents until they die and they can have a house to themselves.

The number of children per household many nations have is already well below replacement rate. So at least you won't be battling for mum and dad's house with your sibling. Look on the bright side! 😁

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

You were doing so well until your net zero emissions non sequitur

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

American values clashing with common sense.

Is that how some people are still voting for Trump?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Nah. Voting for orange insurrectionist rapists is just stupidity in action.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

There’s a point for some people where you live with your parents because they can’t really take care of themselves, you don’t have kids and are free to move… uh, speaking from personal experience. My dad is losing it and my mom is close to that, and I just ended a relationship recently so it makes sense I’d live with them and help them in the interim. It’s not exactly a new relationship magnet though.

As far as your situation, you’ll know when the time is right to move out imo. The standards of “move out and have your own house at 18” is outdated due to realistic modern economics. It would be when you meet someone and want to move in with them and taking them to your parents would seems absurd. You’re educated, you have a job, you’re expressive, you’re doing fine.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

It depends a lot on the situation. My exparents lived with my paternal exgrandparents until I was 8. Completely seperate households tho. Just in the same house.

If theres a partner and kids it's important that everyone negotiates boundaries and communicates well. If it's one household the chores and finances need to be shared in a way that works and so on.

Personally I moved out as early as I could because these people are abusive. I find it awe inspiring that you manage to coexist peacefully when everyone is an adult. If it works for you it works for you. In many cultures living with your parents is normal. I think worrying about what other people think, those that won't pay your rent and don't interact with your family isn't productive. You're the one who has to live with the decisions you make.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (3 children)

NEET? Are you talking about the Indian testing thing? I only found out about that as I Googled neet...

Anyway, here in Sweden we are famous for moving out early and living alone, it usually happens around the time you go to university as you tend to move into a dorm and move straight into your own apartment after completing your studies.

I moved out in my mid 20s, amid depression and a terrible work schedule.

I'd say that if you are still living with your parents in your 30s here it is considered a bit strange...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

NEET stands for "Not in Education, Employment, or Training", I believe. Basically means a jobless bum.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

You know you have overstayed your welcome when your 70 year old mom gets the police to throw you and your lazy ass brother out, while complaining that she had to do all the chores, cooking and pay all the bills (This happened to some Italian men not long ago).

Just make sure you move out many years before that, and help your dear old mother.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I would say there's no age where it's shameful exactly, but around age 30 I would start to feel bad for someone in that situation since it probably means they are putting a lot of their life on hold and their economic opportunities are very slim.

On the other hand, if someone has the means to live on their own (whatever that may mean for their location), I would consider it shameful beyond the age of like 24. Because in that case you are making a choice to not strike out on your own and develop valuable life skills when you could be supporting yourself.

[–] pugsnroses77 3 points 8 months ago

my high school friend and her well-paid techie brother still live with their parents and love it since their social circle is now their parents friends. as someone who doesnt really get along with my family too well, im honestly kinda jealous, even though stereotypically Id be the one to be envied with my own place and partner.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

At whatever age you can finally afford it. Which is never. Get that home inherented. It's your only hope.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

What if you just don't want to be lonely? For example you have a full time job and are financially independent but you still want to be with your family?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

If you're living a home and not paying rent you better be saving up for a down payment on a house.

But to answer your question, I moved out when I was 25 and I felt that was a little old to still be at home. But it will depend a lot on individual circumstances.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

No age is too old for that.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

To me, if anything, it's not based on a time limit, it would based on circumstances if it's based on something, especially considering the environmental sacrifices that go into minute home pleasures. To say it's based on a time limit is dumb and can only be norm-based. I hope to be the kind of person who judges based on character and character alone. Being your best self does not require a home or career, just dedication to humanity whenever someone asks for it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Your prefrontal cortex is not fully developed until ~25. I wish someone had told me that one. I moved out too soon and struggled a lot. Use the opportunity to put back as much money as possible beforehand, and start collecting the little things like kitchen utensils and some basic furniture. Having to buy all that stuff or live in an empty place sucks. It is also super lonely by yourself.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Knock it off with the prefrontal cortex canard, people are losing rights over that shit

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

After you're dead maybe it's time for someone to clear your effects.

After the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis which showed that our industrialist masters give no fucks about the well being of the common worker. We will never be able to rely on housing.

That said, I've shared my home and my room for nearly a year during the aftermath of the 2007-2008 crisis. We do what we gotta do.

In the OP case, I'd say talk to the parents openly, the practicality of moving / staying and where they are on it. Sometimes I'm glad for our current solitude, while other times I miss the activity of kids (young adults) and grandkids (actual kids) actively doing stuff. It also meant sometimes they made dinner or baked goods.

When it's not a matter of financial pragmatism, there are always social considerations. Our neighbors and roommates always like having us around while simultaneously being sometimes annoyed by our presence. Sadly, we live in a society where the cost of living supersedes such matters.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I GTFO'd at 17, as soon as I could. I was only able to do this because some friends needed a roommate for a little bit, but I was so happy to be out and on my own.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

As soon as I turned 18, my dad moved out and suddenly I was 100% responsible for all the bills and all my survival. He discussed nothing with me. One day he was simply gone.

Realizing I was at a huge disadvantage struggling for survival starting from the very bottom, age 19 I joined the Army. Job, food, shelter, full medical benefits and retirement package, they took good care of us.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I moved out of my parents place for good just before I hit 25. I left because I moved to a bigger city with more job opportunities.

I was too horribly depressed at the time for this to be a factor, but it might be easier convincing someone to come back to your place for sex if you’re living on your own compared to being with your parents.

If you move out, how much per month will you spend on rent, renters insurance (which most apartments will require), utilities, internet, etc? What percent of your take home pay would that be? If it’s too high, how does it change if you include a roommate or a less expensive place? If you move, will that make it easier or harder for you to take public transit to work?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

According to Mass Effect Asari are considered adults by around a 100 years. So 100.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

As a Gen X , I could not escape my Boomer parents home fast enough. But The younger generations get better and better and if my son needed to move home we would both be very cool with it. Who care what everyone else says and does, you do you and choose happiness bud.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Exactly the same here. I moved into a shitty basement apartment with only 2 working burners on the stove and a bedroom closet that would flood 3" deep whenever we had a heavy rain. But I didn't care because I was independent! All my choices were my own and I finally felt like I could breathe.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Children will be living with their parents for longer and longer, remember, with the reduced buying power that young adults have this generation compared to the last (a statement true for a few generations now but entirely noticeable now).

So don't sweat it. The best thing parents can do to prepare kids for success is to keep them at home and not paying (full) rent for as long as possible.

To compound the issue, hormones at this stage will reduce the young adults' coping ability, as we're evolved to go on our own and "grow the species" aggressively at this point. It will make staying at home and getting that financial leg-up that much harder. To succeed, the child needs to be very adult about this and understand it's primarily hormones; and needs to explain this to the parents who may not know. 30 years later and I'm just figuring it out!

Good luck. Get on actually good footing before you launch.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

From a Hispanic perspective, it's normal to live with parents until late twenties. However, as an American I can tell you it's weird past 25ish. There is a higher likelihood you won't have normal adult interactions and experiences of you live with your parents.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Pay them "rent". Ask if they're willing to save that "rent" in an account for you. Try to keep from dipping into the $$. Hopefully you'll have a decent amount for when it's time to leave or the time comes when you might take over their house.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

For starters, I’ve always lived in major European cities, with good public transports but not necessarily in the city center. As soon as you can be financially independent ie have a work that allows you to pay rent, utilities, food and a little of saving, even if only 50€ a month. I left for uni, came back shortly after graduating as I interned for 6 months and then moved in with a friend. We could go out in the evening after work with our friend group and no one cared at what time I’d come home nor wait for me to ensure I’m safe because I’m a girl and the city can be dangerous depending who you encounter. I was a lot less awkward if I had one night stand in the morning with no hi mum and when I met my now husband and brought him to our shared flat and my roommate had his girlfriend at the same time, it all went great.

My husband left for his studies cross country at 18 yet his mum made everything for him back home: laundry, cooking, cleaning. After he moved and until we met and we bought our first house, he ate pasta ham and rillettes with cakes every single day. Had his grandma who lived 30km away do his weekly laundry. It’s good he’s excellent at house reno as to this day he’s shit at house upkeep. Can’t put a plate in the dish washer, clean the bathrooms or remember his or his children’ bedsheets need to be washed. Do not be my husband. It’s not when you leave that matters but rather be a competent grown up.

I love my parents but couldn’t imagine living with them full time, not paying rent to them and not try to be independent as much as I could. If I had to live with my mother in law, you could find the bitch’s body buried in the back of the garden next to the Japanese apple tree.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago

You absolutely should have moved out by 90 but it's fine if you've 90 and moved out previously but decided to move back in.

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