This just in from the Pew Research Center: Overall, the proportion of adults ages 18 to 29 who live alone declined in 2009. Similar drops in the proportion of young people who live by themselves occurred during or immediately after the recessions of 1982 and 2001.
The report, Home for the Holidays... and Every Other Day, focuses on the phenomenon of young adults moving back in with their parents during these tough financial times. But it also touches on roommates and other similar living arrangements. Some interesting tidbits from the full report:
"Hard times are leading young adults to put their lives on hold in other ways as well. For example, some 15% of adults younger than 35 say they have postponed getting married because of the recession; an additional 14% say they have delayed having a baby."
"Fully one-in-ten adults ages 18 to 34 (10%) say the poor economy has forced them to move back in with Mom and Dad. An additional 12% say they acquired a roommate."
Acquired a roommate? Makes it sound like a scary disease, doesn't it? If you're moving back into your parents' home or living with roommates and you're looking for help, Apartment Therapy likely has lots of useful information for you. We've touched on related subjects many times in our archives:
APARTMENT THERAPY ON ROOMMATES:
APARTMENT THERAPY ON LIVING WITH THE PARENTS:
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I aquired a roomate which makes it possible to pay my mortgage. I was laid off last november and took a job at less than half of what I was making.
The roomate isn't bad, but it has put on pause a lot of home improvement and decorating that I was planning to do. I am going to wait until I can live alone again to do them. It seems like that will be a good way to start fresh and reclaim my home.
I also acquired a roommate. He couldn't find a job where he was living but found a good temporary (hopefully becoming full time) one here and needed a quick easy place for 6 months. I didnt need a roommate but the extra money is so helpful. It did make me get really organized fast, but I also am putting off some larger house improvements so that he doesnt have to live through them unless he wants to.
"acquired a roommate" sounds extremely impersonal. like getting a guard dog or a gun
Before moving in with my boyfriend, I was the only person I knew in my age group (mid-20s) who lived alone. Recession or not, San Diego is not an easy place to live, financially speaking.
I was already living with my father when the recession hit so now, I'll have to sit tight a couple of years longer til things get better.
As far as getting married and having kids goes, I've definitely put it off, if not accepted the fact that either one may never happen.
Recession or not, I have always wondered why anyone younger than 30 would marry. Call me cynical but especially now, I'm starting to believe these young newlyweds are mostly in it for the 'discounts': 'half-off' on rent or the mortgage, utilities, cable, even healthcare. Or maybe they just 'sweeten the pot...'???
Lamby -- I'm more concerned that getting married young is the only way many individuals are able to get healthcare.
A friend and I actually considered a marriage of convience once upon a time back in our twenties. He worked for the universtity I attended and spouses of employees only paid 15% of the going tution rate! Not to mention the medical benefits I would've gotten too. What was in it for him? Other than my cooking, a 75% reduction in car insurance rates! Married men under the age of 30 have lower rates! Who knew?
PS- never did it, thankfully, as he was fired several months later!
Recession or not, I have always wondered why anyone younger than 30 would marry. Call me cynical but especially now, I'm starting to believe these young newlyweds are mostly in it for the 'discounts': 'half-off' on rent or the mortgage, utilities, cable, even healthcare. Or maybe they just 'sweeten the pot...'???
Err, if you love each other, have been together for a while, and don't want a grandiose wedding, why the heck not? We're in our early thirties, have been married for 9 years. No regrets . We certainly didn't do it for health insurance or other 'perks'.
I was born in '82... graduated high school in '01... bought a house in '09! Hazzaah, the univerise does revolve around ME!
I must agree with firebird. Just because you're in your twenties doesn't mean you shouldn't get married - a lot of people do. I know I'm in my twenties and engaged...I find that it's my business and people who say I'm too young are probably jealous I have someone where they don't.
More and more younger people are moving back in with their folks as well. I honestly think its just a smart move and only being responsible. Still fascinating though reverse phone lookup