The Pros and Cons of Moving Home After Graduation
You’ve just graduated college. You’re young; the world is your oyster. What’s your first move? Graduate school? Job? Internship? Travel? Time off? Maybe you haven’t figured it all out yet, and that’s perfectly normal! The option of moving back in with your parents comes to mind, but you’re wondering if it’s worth sacrificing your independence. Moving back in with your parents has some ups and downsides, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
- Financial security: This seems to be the first and foremost reason why graduates move back home. Depending on which city you live in, facing the costs of furniture, amenities, cable and Internet, electric, and rent costs could pile on, especially if you haven’t landed a full-time job yet. Living at home with your family eliminates most of those costs and gives you the opportunity to save for the big move that you want, as well as give you time to decide where you want to work. If you have a part-time or full-time job while living at home, you may notice your bank account increase every month rather than decrease! You may have more money for social activities, travel, and fun hobbies. Maybe your family has even offered to help you out with food and gas. So it’s easy to see how living at home is a likable option.
- Responsibilities: I know that whenever I move home my mom and step-dad offer to do all of the cooking, cleaning, and other chores. Living on your own means figuring out three meals a day and snacks in between. When you’re home and eat meals with your family, especially dinner, leftovers can easily be taken to work the next day for lunch. As far as laundry goes, my mom usually has that covered. Taking out the trash? That’s my step dad’s job. If you’re a person that loathes certain responsibilities like these, living at home potentially provides a nice cushion for household responsibilities, giving you more free time.
Cons
- Privacy/No Curfews: Despite the amazing perks of financial security and responsibilities, living at home will most likely be just like high school. While living under your parents’ roof, of course, you’re going to be expected to abide by their rules! For me, this means no boys allowed in my room with the door shut. Always text mom and let her know where you are. Don’t expect to be home after midnight and not get complaints from parents about the dangers of not getting enough sleep or making them worry so much that they can’t sleep. When you’re living independently, none of these are issues. You don’t need to worry about staying out late nor do you have to expect any parental lectures. Privacy? That only depends on if you live with roommates or not, but certainly there would be more privacy than living with family, right?
- Responsibilities: Maybe your younger sister is at a friend’s house and needs a ride home, or your mom is getting off work late and needs you to run to the grocery store. Living at home comes with these types of obligations because your parents are doing you a huge favor by allowing you to stay with them at a much lower cost than it would be if you were out on your own. When considering whether or not you should move back home after graduation, also think about if you have the patience or time to attend to these types of requests.
So, if your graduation is approaching and you’re not yet sure which direction you want to take, consider these factors of living at home. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, especially if your parents’ house is full of siblings, responsibilities, and a lack of privacy.
Sources: Moving Out Vs. Moving In, Is Living at Home After College Better Than Paying Rent?, weheartit
