Should I be ashamed that I still live at home?

[Georgia2014]

I'll be 22 in December and I feel ashamed that I still live at home. It's not like I'm doing nothing either. I'm going to school for Radiology Tech and hold a part time job. My school and work are in my own town so financially it makes sense to stay at home, right?

 

I just feel embarrassed that my peers I graduated with from HS are going to graduate from college next semester and I will be starting my two years for radiology next Fall. So that might keep me at home a bit longer.

 

Older sister is 4 years older than me and live in the wealthiest part of GA. Has a well paying job. And here I am... still at home.

 

Thoughts?

 

Don't feel bad I was still living at home at your age. I had to move back home two years ago. I'm finally moving out this month. There is no need to be ashamed. You should only be ashamed if you don't plan on moving out once you get a job. At least you are getting an education to help you get a good job. Remember your sister is 4 years older she has had 4 extra years to get a job. I'm sure your parents are proud of you for choosing a job in medical.

[WhatIsLove2014]

I'll be 22 in December and I feel ashamed that I still live at home. It's not like I'm doing nothing either. I'm going to school for Radiology Tech and hold a part time job. My school and work are in my own town so financially it makes sense to stay at home, right?

 

I just feel embarrassed that my peers I graduated with from HS are going to graduate from college next semester and I will be starting my two years for radiology next Fall. So that might keep me at home a bit longer.

 

Older sister is 4 years older than me and live in the wealthiest part of GA. Has a well paying job. And here I am... still at home.

 

Thoughts?

 

Don't compare yourself to others. Like you said you are doing something. I'm 23 and I had to come back to my parents' house but I'm grateful that they are even willing to help me. You are lucky, you can save money and finish your program without the stress of sooo many bills.

 

You are not just at home bumming off your family, you are making progress in your life. You are strong, don't be ashamed!

Edited October 26, 2014 by WhatIsLove2014

[Emilia]

My point being that no one can truly be on their own at a young age where I'm from when a one bedroom apartment is like $1800 and up. 4 people renting such a small space isn't realistic either long term, so of course a lot of people stay at home. Pay your parents rent. Plenty of responsibility to be learned from that. It's not like this guy is 30. I know I sure as hell wouldn't pay $1000 a month to rent a room.

You don't need to be truly on your own, in fact it's best if you meet lots of people and share with lots of people when you are young. The point is being completely financially responsible for yourself from an early age. You become independent in a way that mollycoddled kids that leave home later don't.

I was on my own at 18 and went broke from paying that kind of money for housing. Struggled for 7 years before being forced out of the area due to constant increases in cost of living. I wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone else. Let the guy finish his education and get a decent job before getting his own place. He'll be much better off.

Trust me, once it starts coming together you will change your mind. I felt in a similar way in my 20s because it was a struggle. Then I realised from my 30s onwards how much I've benefited from being resilient, independent and strong. I have these 'kids' in their early 30s around me who couldn't survive for 2 minutes if someone cut their electricity off. I'm so glad not to be like that.

[pink_sugar]

You don't need to be truly on your own, in fact it's best if you meet lots of people and share with lots of people when you are young. The point is being completely financially responsible for yourself from an early age. You become independent in a way that mollycoddled kids that leave home later don't.

 

Trust me, once it starts coming together you will change your mind. I felt in a similar way in my 20s because it was a struggle. Then I realised from my 30s onwards how much I've benefited from being resilient, independent and strong. I have these 'kids' in their early 30s around me who couldn't survive for 2 minutes if someone cut their electricity off. I'm so glad not to be like that.

 

I do see your point and agree. I do think it was the best decision for me to leave home at 18 considering the circumstances. I don't think I could have stayed a moment longer. I only regret not moving away sooner as we would have been better off financially. I have been paying rent since 18. I think in some more expensive areas, people have to stay home longer, (also due to economic factors such as the recession) but I think paying your parents rent and your own bills makes you more independent.

Edited October 27, 2014 by pink_sugar

[darkmoon]

if you were rude to your family, or argue a lot, then there is a red flag/s, close-knit families are ok

[danny345]

I'll replay what others have said here, Stay as long as you can, within reason.

[hotpotato]

My point being that no one can truly be on their own at a young age where I'm from when a one bedroom apartment is like $1800 and up. 4 people renting such a small space isn't realistic either long term, so of course a lot of people stay at home. Pay your parents rent. Plenty of responsibility to be learned from that. It's not like this guy is 30. I know I sure as hell wouldn't pay $1000 a month to rent a room.

 

I was on my own at 18 and went broke from paying that kind of money for housing. Struggled for 7 years before being forced out of the area due to constant increases in cost of living. I wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone else. Let the guy finish his education and get a decent job before getting his own place. He'll be much better off.

 

Right? Depending on where one lives, rent can be $1000 plus a month for a very small place. Pair that with the McJobs a lot of people have. Where I live, you can get an apt for cheat- maybe $340/mo- if you want to live in the bad part of town. My ex paid about $800-$900/mo for rent,and that's in the south 5+ year ago.

 

Op, dont be ahamed. I olive at home. it doesnt mean youre a bum, jut be responsible about it moneywise. Save money, increase your credit score, help around the house. Youll be fine.

[pink_sugar]

Right?! Where I used to live $1500 would still only get you a small place in a bad part of town. We lived in a ghetto area and paid $1550 rent for a two bedroom apartment. Eventually moved when we came home to things stolen after our trip.

[Diezel]

Stay as long as you can! Save up your money, help out around the home, be productive.

 

But trust me, if you move out at 22 and then stuff goes south... coming back to live with Mom and Dad is NOT going to be the same.

 

My best friend lived at home until he was 33. No one gave him crap about it because now he has a very well paying job, a house he can afford and a car that is paid off.

 

I think the stigma of "Living at home is bad" got torn down after 2008. Things happen.

[random33]

I guess it is cultural thing, in my country it is pretty common for people to live at home until the late 20's, early 30's, or until they get married, with the current financial crisis we are facing some people are "forced" to stay even longer and sometimes return, we see this as natural here, families are pretty close and even after moving I go to my parents house at least twice a week.

 

I really don't see anything to be ashamed of, I moved out at 18 to go to college and returned after that, I got a job right away, but I wasn't earning enough to be independent, the only way I could afford rent was to starve myself, at about 24 I moved out again, but I had to share house at that point.

 

After that I've changed jobs, spent most of my time out of the country, so I didn't see a point in paying rent so I moved back again

 

Only at about 27 did I got a place of my own and moved out, I really think it was the best decision, I now earn a pretty good salary, have no debt and some savings, I don't think I could achieve this struggling to pay rent in my early 20's.