The Good, Bad, And Ugly Of Living With Your Parents As A Young Adult

There’s been a steadily increasing trend in recent years whereby teens reach adulthood and either continue living with their parents or return to their childhood homes shortly after moving out on their own.

While the obvious upside is that it allows cash-strapped young adults to save some money, there are some significant pitfalls associated with such living arrangements.

Some surprising stats

Not that long ago, when someone reached college age and didn’t immediately move out, he or she would be accused of “failure to launch.” Now that rent, college, and life in general are far less affordable than it was in generations past, however, remaining at your parents’ home has lost almost all of its negative stigma.

Here’s what you should know:

• Nearly half of Americans between 19 and 29 live with their parents.
• Only about 20% of those parents charge their kids rent.
• Almost half of those responsible for rent pay less than $500 per month.

Positive attributes

Some TikTok users who are living with their parents as adults have shared the clear financial upsides of the arrangement. Many of them describe being able to spend a lot more money on luxury items and trips than they would be able to afford otherwise.

In addition to having more disposable income, a number of young adults reported being able to spend more quality time with their parents with a new dynamic in their relationships.

Negative consequences

Despite the financial benefits, young adults quickly realize living with their parents isn’t always a bed of roses.

One of the most common complaints involves a loss of privacy as parents continue to pry into their children’s personal lives. On a deeper level, it’s also a constant reminder that it’s a tough world out there.

Chris Agee December 16th, 2022

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