We’re all feeling the hit of rising rent prices. Most of us are already living week to week and changing our budgets just isn’t possible while maintaining the creature comforts that make life bearable. Until our elected officials step in and solve this problem for us, we’ve got to find alternative solutions just to keep a roof over our heads. Multi-generational living is one of those solutions. In fact, I found myself using this exact solution when my girlfriend kicked me out of her house last month.
Multi-generational living simply means that family members of different generations share a living space. It’s becoming more and more popular with young people who simply can’t afford rent. A 2020 report by the Pew Research Center shows that 52% of adults aged 18-29 live with their parents, and 71% of those have never lived on their own. With multi-generational living becoming more popular and maybe even necessary, it’s time we talk about the benefits and work to remove the stigma around grown adults living with Mom.
Benefits of Multi-Generational Living
- Groceries are not a concern
Many of your bills will go down in a multi-generational living space. Your family will understand the difficulty we all face in this economy and help to provide for you. My mom even goes as far as to cook delicious meals for me, which is great because I often don’t get around to it after a long day of looking at job postings online. If your parents offer to help you out with food costs in your time of need, make sure to take advantage of that. In this capitalist world, you don’t see generosity like that very often.
- You don’t have to clean
Keeping an orderly home takes a lot of work. Things fall into disrepair very quickly, and if you’re busy looking for new apartments, it’s easy to go blind to the squalor. Multi-generational living means that there are other people who can pick up around the house. Your parents already own their home and don’t have to deal with the stress that you do, so it’s much easier for them to make the time to keep the place clean. That’s a load off your mind, and leaves a lot more time for you to listen to podcasts.
- You’ll feel safe
The world is a terrifying place full of economic downturns, violence, pandemics, all sorts of things. Apartment hunting comes with a lot of rejection, which can be extremely difficult for those of us with anxiety issues. Multi-generational living eliminates the need to face the fears that you might have about living on your own. Your childhood home can be your fortress from the forces of evil even into adulthood- at least until the world returns to normal again and you can venture out comfortably. Besides, doesn’t every adult wish they could be a child again?
Removing the Stigma around Multi-Generational Living
The #1 drawback to multi-generational living is that society will try to make you feel like a loser. In the 80’s it was far easier for our parents to get out of their family homes. Hell, they could afford rent, a car, college, and parties on the weekends all while working twenty hours a week at minimum wage. Times are different now, and it’s time that our social mores caught up with the change. We need to do away with problematic notions of “making a name for yourself in the world.” Even if your parents cling to these old ideals, don’t give in. My mom sometimes asks when I plan to move out or if I’ve found a job yet. I always say “soon,” but I feel like she’ll come to see that multi-generational living is really the best thing for us both.
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