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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

So, how is it actually possible for our adult kids to ever move out of home?

453 replies

cateringday · 24/02/2026 11:00

I’m imagining it’s the same for a lot of people.
two kids 20 and 18, they both actually have £10000 in the bank as an inheritance but can’t see how they would ever get enough for a deposit or pay a mortgage. If they rent then all that money will be gone anyway.

how old are kids leaving home these days

we live in the south east

OP posts:
titchy · 25/02/2026 19:31

cateringday · 24/02/2026 11:43

Just get a job? Do you know the youth unemployment statistics currently ?

Well they won’t be able to get a mortgage unless they have a job so not sure the point of this post.

They buy with a partner, or even each other if they have £20k between them. Obviously not yet as they’re very young, but by late 20s maybe.

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 19:39

Mancity08 · 25/02/2026 18:13

Farmerswork

Are you for real !!
Firstly for one minute I’m not saying it’s not tough for the majority but there are the minority that both have a good salary

secondary
Of course you have to cut back accordingly
So, in your opinion in order to afford a house
you don’t have a holiday
No package if you want sport
absolute minimum amount on clothes & going out

misc is for what unexpectedly crops up
repairs
birthdays
wedding ( guest)

So you have your own flat. BUT
NO sport package
No mobile
No internet
only buy clothes when you really have too
and probably only go to out once a month to the pub
what a lonely/boring/sad life you would have
but you’ve got a flat 😀

I now exactly what it’s like, we bought our house in the 80’s when mortgage interest were 15% at one time, I also was a single parent in the 90’s
so I know exactly how to run a house and manage money
but , I would not advise my son buy a flat if he didn’t have enough surplus money to have some sort of life and that by NO means living it up

That's exactly what people do when starting out. I didn't take holidays, no TV at all never mind packages. No landline ( pre mobile) and had friends over or went to their houses instead of going out.

No brand new furniture etc either. Mostly donations

It's not forever

CalkeAbbeyTunnels · 25/02/2026 20:57

It was a long time ago but the point still holds. I wanted to buy, so I moved away from my parents and London (house shares) in my mid 20s. Saved and then was able to buy. Yes it was cheaper then but I lived in some fairly grim flats rather than the nicer places of my friends. My first house wasn’t in a great area either.

Not easy, but possible.

Crochetandtea · 25/02/2026 21:02

Save and save. House share for several years, buy with a partner or friend. It’s possible but it’s not easy.

AllaMova · 25/02/2026 21:10

I moved out at 23 to rent a tiny and mouldy flat with my DP. We managed to buy our own house when I was 27.

It’s really tough these days. I have a half sibling who still lives with her DM at 38. She has never moved out.

PeloMom · 25/02/2026 21:27

cateringday · 24/02/2026 11:49

The autistic one volunteers three days a week in charity shop. Applies for ten jobs a week

Ten jobs a week isn’t that much. When I graduated I submitted well over 300 applications in the span of 4 months. You only need 1 person to give you a chance but you have to spread your net wide.
eta- I rented for a decade (a room) and still saved up to buy. Had zero financial help from family.

busybusybusy2015 · 25/02/2026 21:38

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 19:39

That's exactly what people do when starting out. I didn't take holidays, no TV at all never mind packages. No landline ( pre mobile) and had friends over or went to their houses instead of going out.

No brand new furniture etc either. Mostly donations

It's not forever

This. Sadly there is a quality of life balancing act that maybe those in their 20s who expect to one day be owner-occupiers aren't quite used to. It's more than just a Netflix subscription that's on the line. You live somewhere cold and shabby, with no car and really bad public transport, furnished entirely from charity shops and granny's loft (I didn't buy new curtains - or have central heating - until I was well over 40). You don't go on holiday for years and years, and shop only at Lidls. That's what life looks like for millions of people, of all ages, not just young people looking to buy! It's not at all unusual. And it's definitely better than stagnating in your childhood bedroom for ever and ever.

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 21:48

Donated furniture is not much help unless someone in the family has a van to get it to you.

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 21:50

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 21:48

Donated furniture is not much help unless someone in the family has a van to get it to you.

A days van hire doesn't actually cost that much you know. Much cheaper than buying furniture

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 21:51

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 21:50

A days van hire doesn't actually cost that much you know. Much cheaper than buying furniture

Edited

Hmmm, maybe, but if people are being told to cut back on Netflix, then driving lessons and getting a license are probably too expensive too.

ETA yes, I know - we furnished our current house from eBay, a £2 sofa cost about £70 for the van hire and needed two of us to collect and petrol money to get there, and also we are lucky enough to have a rent a van shop in walking distance - otherwise it would be a taxi to and from as well.

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 21:55

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 21:51

Hmmm, maybe, but if people are being told to cut back on Netflix, then driving lessons and getting a license are probably too expensive too.

ETA yes, I know - we furnished our current house from eBay, a £2 sofa cost about £70 for the van hire and needed two of us to collect and petrol money to get there, and also we are lucky enough to have a rent a van shop in walking distance - otherwise it would be a taxi to and from as well.

Edited

That's generally done at 17/ 18 though not in 20s.

I'm sure a lit of these living at home adults had parents pay for that also.

And if be very surprised if someone didn't have a single friend or relative that could drive a van for a day

I shifted most of my bits in old astra estat car or. On the roof rack

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 21:57

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 21:51

Hmmm, maybe, but if people are being told to cut back on Netflix, then driving lessons and getting a license are probably too expensive too.

ETA yes, I know - we furnished our current house from eBay, a £2 sofa cost about £70 for the van hire and needed two of us to collect and petrol money to get there, and also we are lucky enough to have a rent a van shop in walking distance - otherwise it would be a taxi to and from as well.

Edited

Would've been more economical to collect all donated stuff in that one day surely rather that hire van for one sofa

Goatsarebest · 25/02/2026 22:05

cateringday · 24/02/2026 11:36

I don’t need to hear all the ‘in my day’ stuff. I know how it was in the past, it’s different now though.

What do you want to hear then.
Yes your children can leave home and find a house share if they are working as do a high percentage of children.
Yes it is very difficult to leave home and buy in the south east without significant help or saving by living at home until you are 40.
Yes, it is perfectly achievable to leave home and get work in cheaper areas. It is perfectly possible to buy a house in your 20s if you have a job and 20k saved in huge swathes of the UK. Just not where you live.
So that is how millions of children leave home every year before they are 25.

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 22:08

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 21:57

Would've been more economical to collect all donated stuff in that one day surely rather that hire van for one sofa

Edited

The thing with eBay (I did not say “donated”) is that items are in different locations, auctions finish on different days and sellers have to be around for the collection, so juggling utterly unrelated diaries.

So it’s not always in the buyer’s control how economical collection can be. Good in theory, not necessarily in practice.

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 22:13

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 22:08

The thing with eBay (I did not say “donated”) is that items are in different locations, auctions finish on different days and sellers have to be around for the collection, so juggling utterly unrelated diaries.

So it’s not always in the buyer’s control how economical collection can be. Good in theory, not necessarily in practice.

Edited

I'm aware So id only got things close by and made sure I coyld collect on a particular day of I was van hiring.

As I said I had an old astra estate with a roof rack so shifted pretty much everything in that. And bought rest of stuff I needed at bootsales. Got a set of la creuset pans for £1.50. My eldest DD now has them. Curtains for 50p

mondaytosunday · 25/02/2026 22:13

My son (22) has lived on his own since he was 18 because I own the house he lives in. He had worked since he was 16, but minimum wage so can’t afford to pay the going rent, even in a shared house. I Imagine down the line he’ll have a higher salary and get a partner and they could buy a bigger property together.
My DD, (20) is at uni. She will move home after graduating and for the foreseeable. I live in London and aside from affordability, she thinks why waste money on rent if I’m happy to house her? She is a very hard worker, ambitious and frugal. And very pragmatic. She will move out when she either: leaves London for a job, or gets partnered up.
My London friend has three kids, 20 year old starting out working at the NHS feels the same as my DD; 23 year old has great job as a chef but not earning enough to move out; eldest in the military so is away much of the time and splits his down time between home and girlfriend’s family home.
Affordability is the main issue. Rents have far outpaced salaries, especially in London. And many families seem ok with adult kids at home, perhaps coupled with a more relaxed acceptance for differing lifestyles?

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 22:15

That's generally done at 17/ 18 though not in 20s.

I don’t have the stats, but with the massive difficulty to get driving tests plus the addition of the theory test, I suspect a lower proportion do it at 17/18 than used to be the case.

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 22:17

I'm aware So id only got things close by and made sure I coyld collect on a particular day of I was van hiring.

You say you are aware, but IME eBay doesn’t work like that - the seller doesn’t want to set up a collection time with you until you’ve won the auction, and they will have their own commitments around work etc.

Anyway, this is the second thread today I’ve got into a pointless discussion with you and your One True Way approach. CBA. Have a good evening.

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 22:18

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 22:15

That's generally done at 17/ 18 though not in 20s.

I don’t have the stats, but with the massive difficulty to get driving tests plus the addition of the theory test, I suspect a lower proportion do it at 17/18 than used to be the case.

The problem with driving tests is only since COVID though. My DS gook his at 18.5 rather than 17 due to it. And theory test makes no odds.

So it's only the current 22s and below that has delayed tests but not delayed 5 years. And again I'm sure some friend or relative has a bloody car or are you determined to be contrary?

Thechaseison71 · 25/02/2026 22:20

SheilaFentiman · 25/02/2026 22:17

I'm aware So id only got things close by and made sure I coyld collect on a particular day of I was van hiring.

You say you are aware, but IME eBay doesn’t work like that - the seller doesn’t want to set up a collection time with you until you’ve won the auction, and they will have their own commitments around work etc.

Anyway, this is the second thread today I’ve got into a pointless discussion with you and your One True Way approach. CBA. Have a good evening.

Yes so if they couldn't agree a collection time I wouldn't buy. And if you don't like my point of view stop following me arguing then Simple

Tumbleweed101 · 25/02/2026 23:05

It is very difficult for them unless they are working and have a working partner to move out with. Rent prices are sky high when compared against wages and you have to have a deposit to be able to buy. I'm not sure I trust the shared housing schemes either as you, the person buying into them ,has a mortgage, deals with any repairs and any other fees, as well as paying rent where the partner they pay rent to doesn't seem to cover anything else like traditional renting does.

Mine are in their 20's and struggling to move out on the wages they have.

Bunny65 · 26/02/2026 03:15

NotDavidTennant · 24/02/2026 11:28

The new reality is that London and anywhere easily commutable to London is going to be out of reach for anyone who doesn't have family money to help them.

Absolutely. It’s really tough unless you get family help or have a very high-paying job. For most young people saving for a deposit while renting is totally impossible.

Titsywoo · 26/02/2026 11:56

LoveHearts69 · 24/02/2026 12:32

13k saved up so far is amazing for a 19 year old! 👏🏼❤️

Yes he has done very well. He is incredibly skilled in what he does (software developer) and so when he started his apprenticeship they put him on the standard pay (I think it was £5.60 an hour or something) but within 3 months they put him on 30k a year as he was as good as/better than many of their other staff. So saving has been easier for him and we got him to set up a stocks and shares ISA when he turned 18 where he has seen some decent growth in his savings.

nevernotmaybe · 26/02/2026 15:22

rbe78 · 24/02/2026 11:11

Get a job and rent somewhere to live? It's not that complicated surely.

If they are currently living at home and working, they should have absolutely no problem saving up enough money for a deposit for a rental property. If they can't afford to rent a whole flat, they houseshare. It's pretty normal!

I find it very odd that the expectation should be that a young person has to buy a house to move out from home. If renting means it takes longer to be able to afford to buy a house, so be it. Why anyone would put their adult life on hold by living with their parents for years/decades just so they can afford their own house is beyond me. Your own house is not a prerequisite for a happy, fulfilled adult life - but independence is.

Seems pretty ignorant and arrogant.

Across the many societies and cultures where living long term with family, they are all completely unaware their lives haven't started and it is terrible . . . . . in spite those cultures normally being happier overall.

AlexiaH · 28/02/2026 18:46

redskyAtNigh · 24/02/2026 11:09

I think you are meaning "how can our adult children ever afford to buy their own house" rather than moving out? Adult children can rent, either on their own or with a partner, or go into house shares.

I think the answer is that unless they have substantial family help and two good salaries, and the ability to save up ruthlessly, then they can't. Unfortunately I don't think the UK is set up to support a bigger proportion of long term renters.

Spot on! There’s absolutely no point throwing money away renting in this day and age. Way overpriced and all these new build flats

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