In college: Why are some older people condescending about me going to school and living with parents?

Question

Im 22, is that too ridiculously old to live with my parents so that I can make a better life for myself?

Answer 1

Heck no.  I lived with my parents until I was 25. I managed to save about 10,000 dollars which came in very useful when I went to graduate school.  That's bullsh!t.

Answer 2

Tell them it is none of their business where you live!  Just jealous I would say as you are the smart one!  These are older people that are saying this?  In this day and age you need to live at home longer as that is just the way it is now - the new reality in North America!

Answer 3

NO! I live with my family for school, its too expensive to live on our own. They may have their own place, but how are their grades since they have to work full time or more to pay bills? Do they have extra time for internships? nope. You are fine. :-)

Answer 4

It all depends on what kind of social life you wish to have in conjunction with your school life.

I'm 40 and I live with my old lady! Heck, she pays for the keg!

Ok, I'm lying on that second paragraph - but the first one is for real.

Answer 5

In this day and age, people need to save as much money as they can.  You are a doing a good thing.  

I could say a bunch of other things about this, but if I did, I would just be repeating what other people have already said.  Instead, I will just share with you something I have learned: It doesn't matter what you're doing in life, someone will almost ALWAYS criticize you for it.  You might as well just find something that works for you and go with it.

Answer 6

Honestly, these days I think if you CAN live with your parents and they are receptive, it's a reasonable situation.  But ONLY if you are going FULL TIME, doing well, and not spending your money or their's on video games, beer, or other c**p.

Sadly, today school costs SO very much not to mention the cost of housing.  My Dad moved out the day after graduation and worked his way through college... back in the 50's when your tuition and books were a few thousand dollars, and you could get a room for $40-50 a month.

In 1982, I went to junior college for the first two years because I had TERRIFIC SAT scores, but a LOUSY GPA (gee high-school bored me senseless).  I lived at home, but also had a part-time job during school, and a full-time job during breaks.  The folks paid for school, but I paid them $200 a month in rent and still did my standard chores.

I transfered to San Jose State my 3rd year (my college GPA had risen to a 3.8), but still lived at home for a year under the same rules.  My Senior year, I turned 21 and moved into a dumpy apartment for $175 a month.

I was one semester SHORT of the requirements for graduation because I'd switched majors twice... and my Dad cut off the "gravy-train" of tuition.  Amusingly, the US Navy called a week later... and suckered me into enlistment.

I finished my Bachelors degree 4 years later (on the Navy's dime), and my MBA 2 years after that (on the Navy's dime again).  When I left the service in 1999 I took my GI Bill and got my Master's in History with a side of "Technology in Education" while working full time as a telecommunications engineer.

THAT year, my Dad told me the secret that he and Mom had put aside $40K for each kid's education... and that he'd cut me off because I wasn't "motivated" enough.  He then handed me a check for the $20K plus interest I hadn't spent.

One h**l of a graduation gift !!  I put THAT into a mutual fund... and it has now paid for my step-daughters education.

Just FYI, I now live in the Philippines and it is MUCH more accepted for kids to remain at home until they marry.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

Your living situation is no one else's business. Rather than try to explain to them your (wise, in my opinion) plan to stay at home for a while, save money, etc, simply smile and say, "Thanks for the concern, but my situation is working out really well for me." Then change the subject - they should get the hint!

Answer 8

There is absolutely nothing wrong at all with you living with your parents at this age.  In Italy for example, there is a huge swing back to families still living together until the offspring get married.  If you are comfortable at home why not?  I know of one family where the son lives in an annexe at one end of the house and the daughter, well in to her 20's still just lives at home.  They all live separate lives and all get on with each other but come together at various times be it for meals or just catching up with a pot of tea around the kitchen table.  Another family I know also have an annexe flat at the top of their house where the 29 year old son lives quite happily, without impinging on the lives of the parents and vice versa but still enjoying having each other around.  My own son has just moved back in - again - and my daughter says she isnt leaving until she gets married.  We have a lovely chaotic, friendly household, with friends coming and going and various bodies on the sofas in the drawing room and on bedroom floors, and yet we all have our own lives too.  I think it is absolutely fine for you to be at home at 22.  Why not?  If you are happy tell them so.  If you get on with your parents - even better.  There is not enough familial life any more and this fractures society.  So enjoy your time at home and ignore your detractors as just being secretly envious of your situation!!

Answer 9

They are just jealous. Go give your mum a hug and thank her for raising such a smart kid, and don't worry what anybody else says.

Answer 10

I think there is nothing wrong with it after all you are just trying to make a better life for yourself, you are avoiding debt and at least you are in collage! :) your saving be happy :)

Answer 11

nope i am 20 and still live at home. i got to nyu which is like 1 hour away from my house so it's financially sensible. i plan on living here until i can pay off my loans to the extent where i will be able to live on my own. impossible otherwise so i don't blame you.

Answer 12

Living at home is not only smart, and saving either you or your parents a good deal of money, but you are also probably good company for them. Everyone benefits when you make a better life for yourself instead of sinking deeper into debt. I am sure you are helping with cooking and laundry and such, rather than being a burden on them. So just let the busybodies condescend to their hearts' content, and continue to feel good about your well-ordered life.

Answer 13

Our daughter went to college a hundred miles from home, so she lived in the dorm.  In the summers, she lived here with us.  When she graduated, she was engaged to be married but the wedding was still a year away.  She could have gotten an apartment and taken on all those expenses, but what for?  She stayed at home, worked full-time, planned her wedding, saved her money.  

If she had wanted to go grad school instead of getting married, she would have been more than welcome to stay right here at home, too.  

At 22, and a college student, you are most certainly NOT too old to live with your parents.  You are focusing on your education, which is supposed to be your priority right now.  You have a lot of years ahead of you for paying your own way.  So when older people criticize you for living at home, you aren't being rude to tell them that their concern and their criticisms are misplaced.