Graduating from college opens a world of possibilities to young people – and presents them with a number of challenges. They need to find a job, find a place to live, find their path in life…
With today’s tough economy and severe competition, however, this is not an easy feat to achieve – many college graduates struggle to find a job and even those who manage to get a position have meager salaries that barely cover their rent and basic living expenses, let alone anything else.
Under these circumstances, it is becoming more and more common for young people to move back home after college – so they can save some money and get on their feet before they venture life on their own.
Despite the financial advantages and moral support, however, living at home after college comes with several significant drawbacks (loss of privacy and independence, limited social life, etc.) and may not always be a good idea.
When considering the option, one needs to carefully weigh the pros and cons of moving home after college and decide if it’s the right step to take.
Benefits of moving back home after college
Moving back home after college gives young people time to figure out what they really want from life and helps them build a financial foundation for their future.
If you decide to move back in with your parents after graduation, you’ll be able to count on mom’s and dad’s support for just about everything:
1) You’ll be able to ensure some financial stability
Living at home will give you the opportunity to save some money and build a cash fund for your future – your parents will likely not charge you any rent and you’ll be sharing the costs of groceries and utilities, so your living expenses will be very low and you’ll be able to save a lot of your first year of paychecks. Your bank account will increase and before long you’ll have enough money for an apartment deposit and rent – or even for a down payment on a house. Plus you won’t have financial difficulties when you start paying your student loans.
Related: How much money to save to move out
2) You’ll have time to adjust and start on your path in life
Staying at home for a few months after graduation will give you time to acclimate to post-college life and define your goals and aspirations. It will allow you to get used to adult responsibilities and settle into a routine, figure out what you really want and devise a strategy to achieve it.
What’s more, when living under your parents’ roof, you won’t have to worry about rent or other urgent living expenses, so you won’t have to take the first job offer you get just because you desperately need the money. You will be able to juggle with different options – consider different employment opportunities and wait until you find a well-paying job you really love; try to start your own business; etc.
3) You’ll have fewer responsibilities
Your parents will maintain their home and take care of household chores as they have always done, so it won’t be up to you to do the laundry, take out the trash, clean, cook, go shopping, etc. You’ll have less responsibility and more free time – and the food will be healthy and delicious!
Just make sure you don’t leave all the work to mom and dad – act like an adult and help around the house (clean up after yourself, do the dishes, prepare dinner a few times a week, etc.)
4) You’ll have plenty of support
Moving back in with your parents means that you’ll be living with people who care for you – mom and dad love you and will always be there for you. They will look after you and help you with whatever they can until you get on your feet and feel strong enough, financially and emotionally, to be on your own.
Besides, when living at home, you’ll spend a lot of time with your parents and will get to really know them. Since you’re an adult now, you’ll be able to talk about things you have never discussed before and this new level of communication will help you to become closer to your parents and strengthen your relationship with them.
Related: How to deal with moving away from family and friends
5) You’ll be able to reconnect with old friends
If you have friends who are still living in your hometown, moving back in with your parents will give you the opportunity to reconnect with them and rekindle your friendship. You will be able to catch up with your pals, spend time together, and have fun – you will have trusted friends by your side and will never feel lonely or unappreciated.
As is always the case, though, there is another side to the coin as well.
Drawbacks to moving back home with parents after college
Despite all the great advantages of living with your family, you may come to regret moving home after college:
1) You’ll lose some of your freedom and your independence
When you’re living in your parents’ home, you’ll have to respect their rules and be courteous with their parental concern. Even though you’re an adult now, your family will still treat you like a child – they will be protective, inquisitive, and authoritative. Mom and dad will want to know what you’re doing, where you’re going, when you’ll be back, who you’ll be with you, etc. You will get a lot of intrusive questions and unwanted advice – and you’re not going to like it.
2) You’ll have your privacy invaded
Moving back in with your parents implies sacrificing your privacy – you’ll be sharing the living space and it will be impossible to avoid prying eyes. Your parents will be walking in and out of your room at any time, you won’t be able to bring a friend – or a date – over without them knowing (and asking uncomfortable questions), professional setbacks and emotional breakdowns won’t go unnoticed (and explanations will be demanded), etc. On top of it, all your relatives, neighbors, etc. will stick their nose in your business as well.
What’s more, you’ll have to give up some of your habits (playing loud music late at night, walking around in your underwear, etc.) and behave “properly” at all times.
3) Your social life will be limited
Moving back to hometown after college means moving away from your college friends – and many of your old friends may have moved to other cities or states, so you could end up being quite lonely. Moreover, there may not be many young people in the area and forming a new social circle may be really difficult. And even if you do have friends in town, getting together will require a lot of effort and planning – everyone will be busy with their own responsibilities, there will be no more spontaneous gatherings at your place, you won’t be able to throw parties at home, etc.
Besides, you may even find the local clubs and available entertainment options boring, especially if you’re used to the vibrant nightlife in your college city.
4) Your personal growth and development may be hindered
When living at home you’ll be safe and comfortable and care-free – and that can slow down your personal progress:
- The stability and comfort may make you complacent, so even if you moved in with your parents with the intention to move out as soon as you can afford it, you may continue to live at home for many years;
- The employment options in your hometown may be limited and you may not have the chance to find a good job, improve your professional skills, advance in your career, etc. You may be missing out on career opportunities by moving far away from the major companies in your field;
- When you don’t need to worry about rent and bills, you may lose your motivation to look for job opportunities – or you may easily quit your job, if you’re not happy with it. You may end up having no income, saving nothing, and mooching off your parents;
- Since you won’t have any big monthly expenses, you may be tempted to spend on frivolous things – and if your spending goes unchecked, you won’t manage to save any money;
- When living at home, you may inadvertently revert to your teenage self instead of growing as a person;
- It may be difficult to find a soul mate and get into a serious relationship when living with your parents.
5) Living with your parents may put a strain on your relationship with them
Living under one roof could create a lot of tension between you and your parents – it will be difficult to avoid clashes, considering the generational gap and the differences in your outlooks towards life. You may be bitter about not being able to manage on your own after college and may end up taking it out on your parents; mom and dad may disapprove of your choices and be disappointed with you; you may find their behavior unbearable and get in conflict with them; etc. – even small arguments over trivial household issues may result in major fights.
See also: How to tell your parents you’re moving out
All things considered, moving back home after college to save money and define their goals is a good way for young graduates to prepare for an independent life and secure a promising future. Yet, sometimes, instead of a stepping stone to a brighter future, it may turn out to be a stumbling stone in one’s path to fulfillment and success – so the pros and cons of living at home after college must be carefully considered before making that critical decision.
