I live and have grown up in your standard TV suburb setting. At 20, I started working in Toronto, Canada’s “big city,” which was a 1.5-hour train commute each way, Monday to Friday. I did this for four years. It slowly fucking killed me—like Chinese water torture, or sitting through an entire Sofia Coppola film.
Eventually I discovered that if I chose to buy in the city, I’d be spending the majority of my month’s earnings on rent for an apartment that’s roughly the size of my current bedroom. So I figured I’d ditch the commute altogether and try my hand at freelancing, while spending more time at home than ever before.
A recent poll from the PEW Research Center found that more than one third of young adults aged 18-31 live with their parents. This is the highest that figure has been in over 40 years. The three outstanding reasons for this trend being: a decline in employment, rising college enrollment and a decline in marriages. The poll also found men living at home outnumber women, 40 to 32%.
A parent, more commonly your mother, wants you at home as long as she can have you. Meaning, more often than not, you won’t be charged rent, unless you’re a complete asshole. Mom will probably take care of the food (both purchasing and preparing, which saves at least $200 a month) and laundry, at the very least. Let’s not forget about leftovers either, which saves you at least four hours of prep time every week.
A parent should always make sure their at-home adult child is working. Which means, since you aren’t paying any bills or rent, you are saving significant cash (roughly $1000-$2000 a month). This can be used to buy a car, or even a home some day. If you have a decent-paying job, you could be saving up to $30,000 annually.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not oblivious to the drawbacks of living at home. I understand that you don’t have the privacy or independence you would have at your own place. Also, it's a little more difficult to bring a girl home with the assertiveness of a man in his own bachelor pad. But the pros far outweigh the cons.
I’m fortunate enough to have parents who are sexually understanding, and I'm able to bring a woman home whenever I choose to do so. This isn't an issue for me. It might be for her—but again: Not my problem.
Also, I know this sounds kind of lame, but when you live at home, you get closer with your parents. My dad’s become my buddy. Every Thursday we’ll head out for wings and beer, catch up, then head home and do our own thing. Call it what you want, but my dad’s cool as shit, and I’d take the guy with me anywhere. (We’ll usually split the bill when out for dinner, but, depending on your situation, he could cover it for ya.)
It doesn't stop there!
- Toiletries are always available (toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.)
- You will have more money to head out and possibly meet someone; or you know, party
- Your fridge will always be magically stocked with your favorite food and beverages, (purple stuff and Sunny D!)
- The place will be clean with little effort from yourself
- Your parents will love the shit out of you
I’m not alone either. Many experts and polls agree that living at home for your first few years out of school is beneficial. So next time some self-righteous prick gives you a hard time for living with your parents, remember: they are likely living paycheck-to-paycheck and are only giving you grief because they didn’t decide to do the same.
Or, their parents hate them, and now you understand why.
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