Home Together Blog Series

Back Home Again: When Grown Kids Move In

I never thought we’d be brushing shoulders in the kitchen again like we did during those high school mornings, but here we are—our adult child has moved back home after college. The fridge empties faster, the washer runs more often, and yet, there’s something comforting about having a full house again.

If you’re experiencing the same thing, you’re far from alone.

According to the Pew Research Center, over 50% of young adults (ages 18 to 29) were living with one or both parents in 2020, the highest rate since the Great Depression. And while the pandemic played a big part in that spike, the trend hasn’t gone away. It’s now become a realistic and strategic choice for many young adults who are navigating sky-high rent, student loan debt, and record-breaking housing prices.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly one in three adults aged 18-34 now live in a multigenerational household. Whether it's to save money, regroup after school, or support aging family members, this kind of shared living is making a strong comeback.

Housing affordability has shifted dramatically. Home prices have outpaced income growth for years. The median home price has risen more than 500% in the past 25 years, while median incomes have only grown by about 150% over the same time. That gap has made it much harder for first-time buyers to enter the market.

According to Bankrate, over two-thirds of Gen Z and Millennials say they would move in with parents again if it meant getting closer to buying a home. And many are doing just that.

Years ago, there might have been some stigma around moving back in with family. But now? It’s often a smart move. Living together can help adult children save for a down payment, reduce debt, and gain financial stability. For parents (like us), it can mean stronger family connections and even help with household expenses.

And for many households, it’s not just adult children moving back. Grandparents, aunts, or extended family are also becoming part of the modern household—what AARP calls the "multi-gen living" movement. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans now lives in a home with three generations under one roof.

In this new blog series, Home Together, I’ll explore the growing trend of multigenerational living:

• Why it’s happening

• What it means for buyers and sellers

• How to make it work at home

• What to look for if you’re house-hunting with this lifestyle in mind

Whether you're in the thick of it now or just thinking ahead, I hope this series offers insight, a few laughs, and a little encouragement. Real estate is personal, and so is the way we live.

Stay tuned for Part 2: The Housing Affordability Squeeze: Why So Many Can’t Buy Yet.