How old were you you when you first moved in with a partner?

[MaudeLebowski]

Hello all,

DD is 23 and is house hunting with her boyfriend, aged 24.

I hadn't thought twice about it, but a colleague has this morning expressed shock that they are doing it so young.

I don't even think they are young. They are financially independent 20-somthings with good jobs and career prospects.

So... is 23/24 unusual? What did you do?

I don't think 23 & 24 are too young. My sister was 19 when she moved in with her first partner and he was 24.

16. We were told many times by many people that we were too young. Then again when we got married when I was 21, and again when I had dd1 at 24. Well you know what I'm 36 now and we're still together, so I can say a big fuck you to all those nayayers from years ago!

I hate it when people start telling young people they're too young for this, this and that, it is disrespectful and very judgemental.

19

We'd both just turned 22 and left uni when we bought the house. Now 28, married and have a dog and DS.

22, but what's it got to do with your colleague anyway!

I was 18, him 24, been together since I was 17, now 35 :) No not too young, fair play to you!!! Good luck :)

I was 20 but we were already living together in a flat share with other students so doesn't really count. Otherwise I've never done it.

I do think 23 is quite young to commit to a mortgage with somebody but then I think 23 is young to have a mortgage full stop. I certainly wouldn't have been ready at that age but I'm very impressed by people who are. I'm 27 and still shocked when I see people my age married with children, I feel way too young for that sort of stuff. I think your colleague is projecting, 23 was probably too young for her to live with a boyfriend but good for your daughter if she's ready.

Moved in with boyfriend of 7 years at 23 (thankfully renting). Lasted 3 weeks . We never should have moved in together and the relationship was on it's last legs, but it took us taking the plunge to actually realise it was all wrong.

Moved in with second boyfriend at 25. 6 years later and we're married, one DD and another on the way.

I was 22 when I got my 1st mortgage. I don't think that anyone can put a blanket age on things. Each to his own.

20 with my first boyfriend when I was at University. We broke up when I was 24 but that would not have stopped me getting a flat with him so young. I am 42 now so it was a long time ago.

36 when I moved in with DP. I lived in flat shares and had bought my own place before I met him. Most of my friends from Uni had met and moved in with people early to mid twenties, but I have another group who have done it late twenties early thirties.

I moved in to my bf's place when I was 22. Stayed for 2 years then moved back to my folks after an amicable split. Didn't feel too young either then or in hindsight. He's nearly 4 years older.

I know it does sometines work out, but I think is prefer my child to live independently for as long as they can. When you live with someone splitting is far worse than when you don't.

I see the concern, as does my daughter, but I really don't think the 'what ifs' are a good enough reason not to take a chance and do something.

That being said, what we prefer our adult children to do is moot. She's doing what she wants whether I like it or not.

Rented together at 24, then bought at 26.

31. I bought my own house when I was 25. Met dh when I was 30.

Still love sleeping on my own

We were 23 :) and the only people who were supportive were our parents. I suspect because they knew us both so well and could see we were mature enough and very good together. Everyone else told us we were waaay to young. I think people just generalize or only think of themselves and don't realize that it can work differently for others.
You know your daughter best, ignore others' comments, I find that people just love to judge others.

I was 17 (very nearly 18) and OH had just turned 19. But we had spent every day for about 3 years prior to this together being inseparable staying in eachother's parents houses (separate bedrooms I might add!). Still VERY happily together now at 22 and 23 and getting married next year!

23, not quite 24. Perfectly reasonable age. He was 2 years older, we'd been together 6 years as well.

I was 21 when we started renting together, we had been together for 2 years before that. Six weeks later I found out I was pregnant. Completed on our first home two weeks before I turned 22 and DD was born 4 weeks later. Married at 24 and still very happy 15 years later

I was 18 now exh 28. Married at 21.
Advised my dd19 early on to live life and not repeat my mistake!

27

For me it would have been waaaaaaay too young. I was 31.

My intention was to move in with someone only once. I was never prepared to make the leap before then, even though I'd had other serious relationships.

I was 21.

I wouldn't get a mortgage with (or marry!) someone I hadn't lived with before but renting together is a great idea. Most people I know in their 20s can't afford to live alone, they have to share the rent with somebody so although I agree with the sentiment of living alone for a good while as a growing experience I think it is a bit of a luxury.

I think it's fairly young nowadays. Years ago in the 70's 80's and early
90's I think it was the norm to do this before the age of 25. Nowadays it isn't.
Up to them though. What's the worst that can happen? They split up and start again....that can happen at any age.

I was 19. Wouldn't do it again though. Missed out on so much by being stupid and thinking I knew best! Clearly as it went tits up 10 years later, I didn't!

19 and at university. No regrets at all.