Gen Z Embraces Family Support: Returning Home After College

Mary Kate Reilly’s evening routine is a comforting one. After a 50-minute commute, she arrives at her childhood home in Tinley Park. Her mother welcomes her, and they share a meal followed by relaxing with her parents watching reality TV. This living arrangement was not what the 23-year-old envisioned after graduating with a degree in environmental design a year ago. Yet, she appreciates it while navigating young adulthood.

Reilly’s situation represents a common trend among Gen Z: moving back home post-graduation. Many do so for financial reasons, as living with parents usually involves little or no rent. A June report from Realtor.com showed that nearly 60% of Americans aged 18 to 24 live with their parents for financial reasons. In Chicagoland, young adults cite financial motivations for returning home as rent prices rise.

Cohabiting with family offers several benefits: familiarity, shared chores, emotional support, and building an adult relationship with parents. Parents often enjoy having children back home, making it a favorable arrangement. Avoiding a lease with strangers is another advantage for many.

“It’s hard not to feel like I’m struggling,” Reilly said. “But my parents remind me I’ll cherish this time with them.”

Mary Kate Reilly returned home after graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder in the spring of 2025. She has lived at home since, working in product and furniture design. She says most of her friends have moved back home as well.

She sees her current situation positively, appreciating the opportunity to save money and enjoy time with her parents. Although she plans to move out eventually, Reilly values the support that allows her to find a job she truly enjoys. Her mother, Kathy Reilly, finds it fortunate to support her children during this stage.

“The people who love you should be your soft landing,” Kathy Reilly said.

Returning home brought internal comparisons for Reilly, questioning whether she achieved enough. This mindset is shared by others, including Hayden Castle, 25. He returned to Oswego with his parents after the COVID-19 pandemic, following college in Iowa and graduation from Aurora University.

Castle values learning skills like budgeting before living independently. He grew up with multigenerational living, viewing it as positive. He acknowledges feelings of shame compared to peers but finds family support helpful.

“Everyone’s on their own pace,” Castle said.

A counselor, TeraKesha Hammond, supports the idea that moving back home doesn’t mean a lack of progress. As costs rise, she helps clients set goals aligned with personal values. She argues that returning home is a strategy for an emotionally and financially stable future.

Vincenzo Bono, a recent University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate, also lives with family. His daily routine involves an early start and commuting to work. Living with his grandmother, he enjoys financial savings and home-cooked meals.

For Bono, living with his grandmother holds childhood memories and benefits both of them. He plans to stay with her as long as he keeps his current job.

Another young adult, Gianine Boado, felt mixed emotions returning home after graduating from North Central College. Unemployment and moving back home challenged her, yet she appreciated being with her family to save money.

“People push adulthood, but I don’t understand why,” Boado said.

Boado is preparing to begin a graduate program at Lewis University while living at home. She notes the growing educational demands in the job market despite the financial constraints. Boado appreciates time to figure out adulthood with familial support, avoiding pressure to rush into major life changes.

Recent graduates across various fields and locations find comfort living with their families. Though it may carry a stigma, many use the opportunity to find their career path and financial stability without immediate pressures.