Alright, hands up. Let's be honest here.

[Little Woodsman]

hahahahahahahaaaaaa.....
Let me tell you a little story (a true one).
Waaay back in 1985, the split second I turned 18 my mom & her husband said "Well we can't collect Social Security in your
name any more, so we're moving to another state--without you. Hope ya have a nice life kid. Oh, wait, we don't actually
care what kind of life you have."
So at age 18, thankfully employed though with a minimum-wage job, I *had* to move in to a filthy, roach-infested
tenement, where many of my 'neighbors' were illegal immigrants with 9+ people living in a one-bedroom apartment,
every cent I made going to basic necessities. Despite excellent grades & excellent SAT's and ACT's I couldn't go
to school because I simply couldn't afford it. After a few months of this I said, "Screw it, I'm joining the military.
Only to discover that a screwed-up medical record somewhere prevented me from joining.
During that period of my life, I did occasionally get to hang out with friends. Who would sometimes ***** about
having to live with their parents. They always shut up when they saw me looking at them.

Soooo, if your parents are cool enough to let you live with them:
1-Thank them.
2-Do everything you can to help out.
3-thank them again.
4-Stay for as long as is appropriate for everyone concerned.
5-Did I mention to thank your extremely cool parents?

Oh, and if anyone gives you crap for living with your folks, tell them from me to go
have sex with a porcupine.

You. I like you. You talk sense.
I'm hoping your situation has turned around since then?

Well, it took a loooooong time, but things did eventually get better. I had a really great job w/decent pay and respect
for a few years, then I got fired for other people's mistakes, but I had saved up enough over the years to finally be
able to go to school....then I graduated, and tried to start my own business....about 3 months before the financial
collapse....and I'm a single parent...so things are pretty rough again financially....
BUT...I've got the most wonderful little girl in the world....
The place where we live is not that bad...
Members of my family are trying to make amends and come back together (some of us anyway)...
So yeah, you know....life.
Thanks for asking!

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

hahahahahahahaaaaaa.....
Let me tell you a little story (a true one).
Waaay back in 1985, the split second I turned 18 my mom & her husband said "Well we can't collect Social Security in your
name any more, so we're moving to another state--without you. Hope ya have a nice life kid. Oh, wait, we don't actually
care what kind of life you have."
So at age 18, thankfully employed though with a minimum-wage job, I *had* to move in to a filthy, roach-infested
tenement, where many of my 'neighbors' were illegal immigrants with 9+ people living in a one-bedroom apartment,
every cent I made going to basic necessities. Despite excellent grades & excellent SAT's and ACT's I couldn't go
to school because I simply couldn't afford it. After a few months of this I said, "Screw it, I'm joining the military.
Only to discover that a screwed-up medical record somewhere prevented me from joining.
During that period of my life, I did occasionally get to hang out with friends. Who would sometimes ***** about
having to live with their parents. They always shut up when they saw me looking at them.

Soooo, if your parents are cool enough to let you live with them:
1-Thank them.
2-Do everything you can to help out.
3-thank them again.
4-Stay for as long as is appropriate for everyone concerned.
5-Did I mention to thank your extremely cool parents?

Oh, and if anyone gives you crap for living with your folks, tell them from me to go
have sex with a porcupine.

You. I like you. You talk sense.
I'm hoping your situation has turned around since then?

Well, it took a loooooong time, but things did eventually get better. I had a really great job w/decent pay and respect
for a few years, then I got fired for other people's mistakes, but I had saved up enough over the years to finally be
able to go to school....then I graduated, and tried to start my own business....about 3 months before the financial
collapse....and I'm a single parent...so things are pretty rough again financially....
BUT...I've got the most wonderful little girl in the world....
The place where we live is not that bad...
Members of my family are trying to make amends and come back together (some of us anyway)...
So yeah, you know....life.
Thanks for asking!

Wow man that is a pretty bad hand of cards you've been dealt. You got some light in your life though and the drive to work hard and do well. Admirable traits my friend. Any prospects for turning everything around again?

 

[IllumInaTIma]

Almost 22, international student at University of Calgary.
Back at home I live in apartament with my mom, but here I live in a rented room in a basement and I have nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[Varrdy]

I live in a room in my parents house, if that counts? We don't have a cellar or basement so I can't live down there...

I'm pushing 31 and living back at home as I got into debt - my own fault - and am paying it back. I have 1 more year to run on my IVA and then I can think about moving out again!

 

[Playful Pony]

Been living by myself since 18, first in a crappy apartment just bellow a grupy old man, and now in a crappy small house in an area mostly populated by young families (lots of small kids). It's fine though, the house hadn't even been painted since the 60's when it was built, so there was and still is a whole lot of work to do... But now it's possible to live here. Gets a bit chilly in the Norwegian winter, the isolation is rated the lowest (worst) one can legally live in...

My basement is occupied by my roomie, he's a chef so I got dinner sorted most days X3.

I live in my parents house, guess that's close enough as we don't have a basement.

At 19 I'm not sure whether I'm expected to be living by myself at this point. I know I sure as hell wouldn't survive on my own yet though(I can cook for myself, yeah, but I'm still no good with washing clothes and shit like that).

Easy! Stick it in the washing machine with some soap in the compartment thing, turn on. When its done, stick it in the drier...

Ohw btw, get a washing machine and a dryer...

 

[the_duke_CC]

I'm currenty iving in a back room in my grandparents house (not a basement but still), I'm only here because I can't be trusted to live on my own (I need care for a mental illness i have). I've lived on my own on two previous ocassions, and let's say it didn't go well. My grandparent are brilliant to be fair, I've now got a job so I will now start paying rent (didn't have any money to pay them before now).

 

[Rastien]

Shit's expensive.

I moved out from living above my grans house into my own flat last year at 23, it's expensive.

I am crippled financially and work 40-50 hour week i barely make ends meet i have fuck all cash for going out and doing things etc.

But, i have my own place, i had to take out a 1.5k loan for the initial move and buy things for the flat i have finally paid that loan off last month so i have a bit more cash now.

If your gonna do it go for it! plan ahead work out what you earn each month what bills you need to pay how much your food budget will be and work out if you can do it. Then add about £250 on top of your estimate and you will be in the ball park.

I think anyone who looks down on people for still living with their parents at 25 arn't aware how fucking hard it is for single working people to survive at the moment. If you move in with someone it gets a lot easier but finding someone to move in with that your not going to want to kill is hard.

 

[Cheesus Crust]

I don't live in a basement but I'm in my own room. I'm 23 and I'm going to laws school so probably going to get my own place.

 

[Psykoma]

I moved out to an apartment with friends when I went to university. After I graduated I had a lot of medical related expenses (ongoing), and my parents offered for me to move back home and not have to worry about rent/other living expense for a bit.

They offered me my old room on the 2nd floor, but they also offered me the room in the basement.
The thing is, the basement room is about 1.5 times bigger than the one upstairs, the closet is about 2x bigger, and the bathroom is about 3x bigger, so yeah I am living in their basement.

I'm planning to move out later this year.

 

[Fijiman]

I kind of have an excuse for living in my parent's basement. They wanted me to move the xbox downstairs so it's their fault that I spend a lot of time down there.

 

[D Moness]

Well, not in the basement, but yeah... There's kind of a long story behind it though.

And if you're aware of my age the stereotype solidifies even more.

[sub]And once again I'm confronted by my current (going on 10 years now) situation... *sigh*[/sub]

Dunno if it makes you feel a bit better but i am older then you and still live with my parents.

I was looking for a place to myself until a previous boss/job try to screw me over(very long story).
Been hard to find a new steady job that gives enough security to look for something again.

 

[UniversalRonin]

I moved out of home at 19. Then in 2008 lost a job when the recession kicked in, and decided to do a degree to ride it out.
Now 26 and unemployed with an Information Systems degree, living in my grans attic in west London (It's been converted into their spare room) after spending the preceding 9 months in my brothers spare room looking for work up in Yorkshire.

Hell, right now I'd give anything for any job, including a 'boring' job. I have been applying to hotels, kitchens, retail and anything going recently.

Let 'Optimism' be thine watchword. You'll get out and find your independence soon enough. And I'll find a nice job that'll let me save up for an MA, and we will all enjoy the sunshine, rainbows and lollipops that ensue together

 

[Relish in Chaos]

Well, no, since we live in a flat. But I'm 17 and still studying A-Levels at my school's sixth form. My brother is 28 and still lives with us, sleeping in the living room, because he didn't get good grades at school, is somewhat lazy, and then the recession kicked in.

 

[Virgilthepagan]

Nope, I live in a house I lease with five friends. I love it and the situation's about perfect, depending on how things go I'll try and stay there after I finish my last semester of college (I'm 21). Honestly I don't think I could ever see myself moving back in with my parents. One I absolutely detest my home town, and there's really nothing there that could even begin to pay enough for me to move back. The other aspect is that my parents have made it abundantly clear that while they wouldn't mind having me around, they'd charge me rent. If all of my plans for post graduation fall apart then I think I'll still try and find a way of making ends meet where I am now.

 

[PhiMed]

I worked for what I got, climbed up scraping and clawing, and did what I had to do to stay out of my parent's house, and I'm better for it. Living in your parent's house is fine, I guess, while in college, and I suppose it's not entirely unacceptable to stay there for a year afterwards. Then it's time to grow up. If you hit 25 and you're still there, you need to change your mindset, because you're not growing as a person.

yeah I'm not sure you can just flick a "grow up" swtich and move out, I'm sure plenty of people in that situation would like too but really can;t..through factors of their own and outside ones

Mostly of their own making.

Like I said, I was making less than 1 1/2 x minimum wage (which was $5.15 at the time), and I did it. It was hard, but I did it. The problem is that we are actively encouraged to be soft today.

If you're working, move out. If you're not, get a job. Don't wait for a "good job". You can look for one of those while you work. Stop being useless and get one. You will always be a mental child as long as you live with your parents. As some have said here, it's easy and comfortable, and that's the problem. Struggle. It's good for you.

I finished the prerequisites for, applied to, and got in to, a master's program while working 40-60 hours a week. I am above average, but I am not a phenomenon. If someone can't look for a job while working, then they don't deserve a job. They should just give up and apply to be their parents butler.

 

[Vault101]

Mostly of their own making.

Like I said, I was making less than 1 1/2 x minimum wage (which was $5.15 at the time), and I did it. It was hard, but I did it. [b/]The problem is that we are actively encouraged to be soft today.[/b]

wow...give this man a nobel prize for his wonderful insight..no screw that..you should be president!

[quote/]If you're working, move out. If you're not, get a job. Don't wait for a "good job". You can look for one of those while you work. Stop being useless and get one. You will always be a mental child as long as you live with your parents. As some have said here, it's easy and comfortable, and that's the problem. Struggle. It's good for you.[/quote]
DERP....ugghh boy none of this ever occured to me and probably thousands of other people, the answer is so simple!

[quote/]I finished the prerequisites for, applied to, and got in to, a master's program while working 40-60 hours a week. I am above average, but I am not a phenomenon. If someone can't look for a job while working, then they don't deserve a job. They should just give up and apply to be their parents butler.[/quote]
I get it now

the problem is not everyone is as hard working and as awsome as YOU clearly youve got the solution to everyones probelms

CLEARLY we all just need to stop being usless and WORK hard

 

[Kinitawowi]

I live and work in one of the most expensive cities in the world, for one of the least pleasant employers in the country; I'm currently early thirties and living with extended family (an aunt, uncle, cousins and assorted hangers-on). Living elsewhere simply isn't a viable option right now.

It wasn't always this way; leaving home in Norfolk for university in Manchester was great, and I still miss those years. Got a job in the city, lived with friends for a few years, then finally got my own flat - just as I was made redundant from my job and the arse fell out of the economy. Eighteen months later my savings were gone and I had to pack out. My parents (long since divorced) were totally not an option; one has emigrated and the other has other commitments. So the next stop was my friend's place in Stoke. Unfortunately, Stoke was a crappy enough place without the recession and I had no real hope or prospects of finding work there; my friend has nearly infinite patience (he's a maths teacher, after all), but even that couldn't last forever and eighteen more months later I was off again. By then I'd reconnected with quite a chunk of my family down in the London area (thanks to a couple of weddings and well-timed family reunion gatherings), and pursuing a Dick Whittington-style streets-may-not-be-paved-with-gold-in-London-but-at-least-they're-not-paved-with-crap-like-they-are-in-Stoke approach, I threw myself on their mercy. Fourteen months later, after nearly four years out of work, somebody I knew from before university gave me a call to say he had a job available; six months later I got a transfer to a London branch (commuting to Cambridge was a *****) and there I am.

This isn't indefinite; my employment prospects may be dramatically improving quite soon to the extent of almost doubling my money, and as soon as I can afford it I'm outta here. Living with family is undeniably convenient and cheap, but I've spent enough time sharing kitchens and bathrooms and TVs with people to know that I'm one of those people who really needs their own space - there's no way I could even contemplate a house share with strangers. One of the cousins here though will clearly never move out; he's more or less admitted that his dream home would be his parents' basement (if they had one) and is showing no signs of changing that.

 

[Snotnarok]

I live at home with my parents, family member has become mentally disabled and requires help so that's what I do basically every day while doing freelance stuff.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Still live with the folks, but I'm 18 and still in High School so I have a pretty good excuse.

 

[xDarc]

I'm 30 and I own my own home. It's not much, 1,000 sq ft, w/ unfinished basement/laundry area. It cost me 75,000 but came with washer/dryer/fridge/dishwasher... DRYWALL. (a lot of the foreclosures I looked at when buying had all kinds of holes put in the walls by the previous owners, some people were pouring quick drying cement down their plumbing in spite of banks) I ended up buying from a couple in their mid 50s, not a foreclosure/short sale. They kept the place in great shape.

All told it cost me about 7,000 to get the house, get moved in. I've spent another 800 on new gutters and several hundred on paint since then.

A little more than two years ago though, I was living in my parent's basement- just saving my money. I'd had apartments and room mates on and off all through my teens and early to mid 20s. But when things didn't work out, always went back home to mom and dad. Until about 26, when I decided enough of this shit, time to start saving for a house.

I could have likely afforded a bigger house, but with the economy the way it is, I bought a house that I could still make my mortgage payments on even if I had to work at burger king. My mortgage payment is 617 a month.