Americans move back in with Mom and Dad

[AlphaOmega7]

Last hope in a weak economy? Mom and Dad

By EMILY FREDRIX, AP Business Writer
Fri Mar 21, 6:49 PM ET

After being laid off from her job as an events planner at an upscale resort, Jo Ann Bauer struggled financially. She worked at several lower-paying jobs, relocated to a new city and even declared bankruptcy.

Then in December, she finally accepted her parents' invitation to move into their home — at age 52. "I'm back living in the bedroom that I grew up in," she said.

Taking shelter with parents isn't uncommon for young people in their 20s, especially when the job market is poor. But now the slumping economy and the credit crunch are forcing some children to do so later in life — even in middle age.

more...http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080321/ap_on_bi_ge/living_with_parents

[Tammy]

As things move along and get worse we will see more families moving in together.

[HSmomto4]

My parents own their home free and clear and is big enough for all of us. If we loose our home (I home we don't!!) we at least have a place to go.

[dreadreadrea]

wow, at age 52, i cant even imagine

[I'm all 67X]

This is really something I started to foresee about 3-4 years ago, but can't fathom how quickly it is springing up on us. From the positive side- it looks like we will see more "Walton"-type family arrangements and the closesness and sharing in everything that comes with it. On the negative, not many people live in the country in large homes on sustainable lots or acreage. I joked around last year that we may all have to decide whose house was best situated and everyone move in...now it appears I could have been sage!

[Glory]

I'm figuring this could happen and that's why my hubby and I are 'cleaning house' and throwing out so much stuff we've accumulated over the last 33 plus years. Trying to make more room...just in case our 2 son's, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter need to come here. Our mortgage isn't paid off yet, but we pay less then our son's do by renting. We still have 7 years left before it's paid. So close... yet so far away. ANYTHING can happen in 7 years time.

[ftwspursfan]

A lot of people are doing the opposite also. My 77yo MIL moved in w/us this weekend. The retirement village she was at keeps raising the rent over $100/mo every yr and so we moved her in w/us and we are trying to buy another house to accomodate all of us. I have several friends in my age bracket, 40's w/kids, that have or are seriously considering moving widowed parents in w/them.

[ANewCreature]

From the positive side- it looks like we will see more "Walton"-type family arrangements and the closesness and sharing in everything that comes with it. On the negative, not many people live in the country in large homes on sustainable lots or acreage.

By expanding a little on a normal city lot (actually a bit smaller than normal, not much of a yard), finishing their basement, and so on, Rick - a good friend of mine's - has helped them, and now his parents have room for themselves (well, had, his dad's in Heaven now), my riend Rick, one of Rick's brothers, that brother's two boys, now elementary school age, Rick's sister (who then moved into a house a couple doors down with her husband and...ah, too long a story, skip it), and his sister's teenage daughter. And, his two rooms (his bedroom plus an extra room) that could double as a Green bay Packers museum!

So, it can be done. It's just crowded. but, boy, do they have good food! :)

[J.J.]

Housing is insanely expensive in this country, so I expect this trend to continue.

[Mitsy]

My hubby & I couldn't afford a house on our own we bought one just over 10 years ago with my mother.