Did you know that around half of all college students plan to move back home for at least two years after college? In fact, around two-thirds have delayed moving out on their own because of student debt.
It’s not always ideal moving home after college, but it is the best option for a lot of college grads. From saving extra cash to spending time looking for a new career path, it’s the downtime you need before joining the working world.
In this guide, we’ll give you our tips to make the transition back home much easier and what you should do to make the most of your time at home while protecting your mental health.
Want to get your security deposit back? Work through our moving-out cleaning checklist to make your rental property sparkle.
Pros and Cons of Moving Back Home After College
There are advantages and disadvantages of moving home after you’re done with college:
Pro: You’ll save money
Most parents don’t charge their kids the high rent that landlords do. So, whether you live with your parents for free or pay some rent, you’ll save money.
They’ll also probably let you eat their food, use their WiFi, and watch their cable – all for free.
Although it can be annoying sharing a house with parents after college, the money you can save is a huge bonus.
Pro: You can pay off student loan debt
With the extra money you save moving home, it’s a good time to make a dent in your student loans.
Once you get your own place, it’ll become more and more difficult to pay them off with all your other expenses. Draw up a budget and dedicate a chunk of your earnings to your student loans to pay them off that much quicker.
You’ll be glad you did in the future when money gets tight again.
Con: It’s easy to overspend
The downside of living at home is having the discipline to not spend your extra cash on frivolous things like a night out clubbing or online shopping.
You’ll have more money and more time on your hands so it’s tempting to go to the movies, sit in a coffee shop, see a gig – the list goes on.
When you don’t need to budget as strictly, it’s easy to overspend on your social life. Make an effort to stick with a budget as if you were still paying all your own expenses – it’ll be easier to stay on track when you finally move back out.
How to Make the Transition Easier
Moving home can bring up all sorts of emotions and cause some friction as you get used to living by your parents’ house rules again. Here’s how you can make the transition easier.
Set boundaries to keep your independence
Some parents are supportive of goals, others aren’t. Some will see you as an adult and give you your space, others will immediately start treating you like a kid again.
As soon as you move back, set some boundaries to show your parents you are an adult and you aren’t going to live in the same dynamic as before. Communication is key, and approach them with a clear plan so you know how to tell them what you need.
Pack early
Packing up all your belongings to move home from college will take twice as long as you think it will. Get some strong boxes and start packing a couple of weeks in advance to make the process much less stressful.
Establish a daily routine
You probably had a fairly regular routine in college with your classes, meetings, societies, etc.
Now you have much more free time and you’ve lost that routine, it can be a little hard on your mental health.
Whether you’re on a full-time job search or just taking a break after finishing school, try to establish a routine of getting up at the same time, eating, exercising, and anything else to carve out your time and stay motivated.
Make a moving out plan
It can feel much better moving home with parents if you have a move-out plan to work towards. If you really want to find your own place, set a moving date, create a savings plan, map out a budget, and start keeping an eye on the real estate market.
Having a plan in place for your future will keep you on track and motivated to start your next chapter.
Tips on How to Make the Most of This Time
If you are moving home, you might as well do everything you can to make it a great experience. Here are some tips to get started.
Redecorate
Old bedrooms tend to become a storage dump or a shrine to your teenage years. Either way, it’s not a space you want to live in.
Now you’re moving back, start fresh and do some decorating. A fresh coat of paint and new bedding will transform the space and make it feel new – just what you need.
Pick up gig work or a part-time job
You probably have plans for a long-term career now you’ve got your college degree, but that doesn’t mean you need to jump right in.
While you make plans for your future, think about gig work or a part-time job to make some extra cash. It’ll give you more of a routine, more cash to save for your dream home, and some experience.
Think about the future
Maybe you have a plan for the future, maybe you don’t. Either way, now is a great time to think about what you want in the future. You might want to stick with the career path college set you on, you might want something totally different. Now is a great time to start thinking more about it.
Make the most of it while it lasts
Moving home can always feel like a bad thing. Losing some of your independence and living by someone else’s rules is never fun.
But try to look at the positives. You’ll get more family time having movie nights, maybe a parent to do your cooking and cleaning, and more downtime than you’ll ever have again.
Enjoy it while it lasts – as soon as you move out, you’ll miss all those creature comforts.
Need Help Moving Back Home?
It’s surprising how much stuff you can accumulate when you’re in college. If you’re starting to get ready to move home and you’re wondering how you’re going to transport everything back home, we’re here to help.
At Free Range Movers in Boulder, we provide affordable, secure moving services for college graduates moving home. We can even help you declutter and pack if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Want to know how much your move will cost? Check out our moving cost guide and we’ll help you work out the cost.
