For millions of young adults on both sides of the Atlantic, the dream of moving out and buying a first home seems to be slipping further away. Instead, many are finding themselves either returning to their childhood bedrooms or navigating the often chaotic world of shared accommodation well into their late twenties and thirties. The numbers, the stories, and the frustrations all point to a profound shift in what it means to become an independent adult in 2025.
According to a recent analysis published by The Conversation, about 1.5 million more adults under 35 in the United States are living with their parents today than a decade ago—a 6.3% increase that far outpaces the growth of the young adult population itself. The root cause? Affordability, pure and simple. Urban rents in the U.S. have climbed roughly 4% per year over the past decade, while wages for full-time workers have barely budged, increasing by only 0.6% annually. The median U.S. home price now exceeds $400,000, a staggering 90% jump in just ten years. These forces have pushed the median age of first-time homebuyers from 31 to 38, a seismic shift with ripple effects across the economy and society.
Across the Atlantic, the picture is strikingly similar. New research commissioned by study app Quizlet reveals that while young people in the UK dream of owning their own home by age 29, the reality is that most won’t be able to afford it until they reach 38. In the meantime, more than half of young renters have lived with—or are currently living with—a difficult housemate. The list of grievances is long and familiar: dirty dishes left in the sink, food theft, messy bathrooms, overflowing bins, and the ever-dreaded loud intimate encounters. One in five young renters in the UK have even moved out mid-tenancy because of a bad housemate experience, according to the survey of 1,500 adults renting shared accommodation.
Despite these challenges, 94% of UK respondents consider themselves to be good housemates. Yet, almost a third report weekly disagreements, and half admit to arguing with their housemates at least once a month. The constant friction has prompted Quizlet to partner with actor Joe Thomas—best known for his roles as a student in The Inbetweeners and Fresh Meat—to launch an “Unofficial Housemate Rulebook.” Thomas, who has firsthand experience living in shared accommodation both during and after university, remarked, “I have lived in shared accommodation during my time at university and as a graduate, and I have played the role of student in a messy house share. So, trust me, I know all about the ups and downs of living in shared accommodation. Whether it is the never-ending pile of bin bags or the mountain of dirty dishes in the sink, I would have benefited from a guide on how to be a good housemate.”
Niki Frankfort, Senior Communications Manager at Quizlet, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Navigating the unspoken rules of a shared home can be a major source of stress, and as the data reveals, it often leads to conflict that can impact everything from mental well-being to the ability to study effectively. We hope that by creating this guide, we will help make moving away from home an easier transition and support our users not just in their studies, but in all pivotal learning moments that shape their lives.”
Back in the U.S., the consequences of this housing crunch go far beyond dirty dishes and tense living rooms. Living with parents can help young adults save for a down payment and even nudge homeownership rates among those aged 25 to 34 slightly upward since 2016. But it comes with serious trade-offs: delayed marriage and parenthood, longer commutes, and lower job satisfaction. According to The Conversation, job satisfaction rates are substantially lower among 18- to 29-year-olds than among older workers, a phenomenon that may be linked to the fact that many young adults live far from the urban centers where their careers could flourish.
There are also broader economic implications. Rohan Shah, Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, points to the so-called “housing theory of everything,” which suggests that housing shortages help explain the sluggish productivity growth and reduced innovation seen in the U.S. economy. When people can’t afford to live where the jobs and opportunities are, their talents are underutilized and their ability to collaborate and innovate is stifled. If the housing shortage delays family formation, it could also exacerbate demographic challenges, making it harder to sustain programs like Social Security in the future.
Not all cities are standing still in the face of these challenges. Austin, Texas, for example, has taken a bold approach by relaxing its zoning laws, leading to a surge in home construction. The results have been dramatic: rents fell by about 10% in one year and by as much as 22% over two years. The share of working adults in the Austin metro area living with their parents is just 6%, compared to nearly 14% in Greater San Antonio and a staggering 20% in Greater Los Angeles. This suggests that making it easier to build new homes where people actually want to live can have a real impact on affordability and on young adults’ ability to strike out on their own.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the struggle for independence is often marked by the battle for harmony in shared flats. The Quizlet survey found that the most common housemate infractions—dirty dishes, food theft, and messy bathrooms—are more than just minor annoyances. They can be the final straw that pushes a young renter to pack up and leave, sometimes in the middle of a lease. Other sources of tension include unpaid bills or rent, never buying cleaning supplies or toilet paper, inviting strangers to stay without asking, and smoking or vaping indoors. With nearly a third of respondents reporting weekly disagreements, it’s no wonder that the transition to independent living can be fraught with stress and uncertainty.
Yet, for all the challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Efforts like Austin’s zoning reform show that policy changes can make a difference. Initiatives like the “Unofficial Housemate Rulebook” offer practical support for those navigating the tricky world of shared living. And the resilience of young adults—whether they’re saving up while living at home or learning to compromise with housemates—remains a powerful force.
As housing prices continue to soar and the age of first-time homeownership edges ever higher, the journey to independence is becoming longer and more complicated. But with creative solutions, open dialogue, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, there’s hope that the next generation won’t have to wait until 38 to finally call a place their own.
