The more I think about it, the more I feel like the Western idea of having to move out at 18 (or even your early 20s) is crazy.
I can't imagine living on my own with the amount I'm making right now.
It just seems much better for both sides financially if you stay with your parents for at least a little while longer after getting a job. That way, both parties get to save a lot in living expenses. It's a win-win.
I get that the point is independence, but also... in this economy?
@dopey_kun Believe it or not, I lived with my parents throughout college. I started college in Fall 2008 when the Great Recession, although I have supportive parents that allowed me to live in the house when I was working on my college degree and finding a job, and helping out with a downpayment on a house.
I moved out when I was like 26, and I had like a three year gap year before moving out again and selling my old house for the one I’m currently in. However, inflation wasn’t bad back then and it helped that I own a townhome since the mortgage payment doesn’t change that much compared to rent and I keep track of my finances.
However, it’s nearly impossible to live alone at 18 now, rents are just unaffordable in metros around the big cities, unless you live somewhere cheap. That is besides the cost of necessities through the roof and having to pay off student loans, which makes it difficult to save money for a downpayment on a home, and home prices are just rediculous.
The core/younger Millenials (1987-1996) got the short end of the stick because of the Great Recession, but it’s even worse for Gen Z. Something needs to change.
@chikorita157 student loans are another thing that seem crazy to me. I keep hearing about people spending years paying them off. That really seems like hell when you're just trying to find your footing in your 20s. The show Total Forgiveness on Dropout really opened my eyes to that.
Student loans aren't really a thing here. You can either afford to go to college or not. If you're lucky, you might be able to get a scholarship or some government grant.
I was lucky enough that I met the requirements to enroll in a state university, which are completely free. I don't really know what the average financial situation is for people who weren't as lucky and had to go to private universities. Though, I definitely know people who went to universities that are way out of their budgets...
@dopey_kun It really shows how messed up the US higher education system is, when most countries like in the EU have free college. Not sure how the other college costs in other Asian countries are like, but underfunding of higher education and raising tuition in the US is a problem, likewise with healthcare too, which is just as expensive.
Thankfully I got myself a scholarship, because $10k would've wiped out all my savings in 1 year. Did I even have $10k in savings when I started? I might not have... And my parents barely make ends meet, so they're definitely not able to help me pay my tuition fees.
And these are the subsidised costs for citizens. The raw fees are at least 2x as high.
I'm guessing the US has it worse, but coming from a poor family, uni is almost inaccessible here as well.
@rgbunny@dopey_kun I don’t remember how much I paid for undergraduate although I have grants. It’s been a while since I have done my undergraduate, which I finished in Spring 2013. However, my Master’s degree was about 10k per semester, so I took about 40k in student loans, but I’m making 6 figures and do plan to get all of it forgiven after putting five more years with Public Service Loan Forgiveness (I have worked in the public sector in IT for 5 years already)
That said, I came from a middle class family, bur still the burden is there and it’s required for most white collar job, unless one goes for a trade instead.
@dopey_kun For some people, it's not just the independence but the crushing feeling of being controlled by family, especially if family relations are strained.
Some people are children of narcissists, or crazys, and getting away from their parents would be in their best interests.
@anianimalsmoe yeah, I totally get that. I was talking more about the expectation that you have to move out. But you're right, some people have legitimate reasons to want to move out ASAP.
I'm lucky enough that my relationship with my mom, albeit not the best, is relatively good enough that I can stand to live with her for a (little) while longer.
@dopey_kun As someone who had to move out at 18, I'll say that it definitely had its benefits... but my bank account was always begging for mercy. I barely survived 8 years ago, I don't see how anyone could do it in today's world.
@dopey_kun Living alone is very fun, I really do hope you get to enjoy it some day! Just don't rush it because it's very stressful if you're not ready.
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