Gen Z Moving Back With Parents At Higher Rate Than Normal
Some were forced back at home due to financial constraints while others weren’t ready to “adult” after graduating from college.
(Getty Images)
Chicago — Gen Z and young millennials are living at home with their parents in greater numbers than any generation in recent history.
About 54% of Gen Z are choosing to live with their parents due to the current economic climate, according to the Harris Poll, which surveyed over 300 adults ages 18 to 25. A recent Pew Research Center study also found that one quarter of US adults ages 25 to 34 were living in a multigenerational family household in 2021, the New York Post reported.
In 1971, just 9% of adults of the same age were living in a multigenerational home, while in 2011, about 20% were.
Daniel Eghdami, a 27-year-old artist, moved from his own place in Washington, D.C., to his parents’ apartment at the start of the pandemic for financial reasons.
“It of course was a substantially higher quality apartment than I would have been able to afford,” he said.
While living with his parents, he didn’t pay rent but did pay for his own groceries and household expenses. Despite those benefits, he struggled with some “friction” with his parents.
“Getting to have a higher quality of life was a big plus, but having it come at the expense of freedom and autonomy balanced it out. Net neutral,” said Eghdami, who recently moved into his own place.
Noah Dickson, 25, said he “hated” it when he first moved home to Flowery Branch, Georgia, after graduating from college. However, living at home actually helped him to grow, giving him time to build his business as a fashion designer while helping his parents around the house.
The living situation allowed him to “mature in a way that is invaluable,” he said.
While inflation and the state of the economy are driving some young adults to stay at home with their parents, others just aren’t ready to adult.
“I don’t know how people live on their own right away after graduation,” said Nada Torbica, a 22-year-old from Boca Raton, Florida. “You work to save 100% of your paychecks. Free meals, can spend paychecks on traveling, gets to live with family dog, no real adult responsibilities.”