Are you considering relocating back with your parents? It can be a difficult decision to make, but there are some factors to consider before making a final choice. So, should I move back home, you ask? If you’re on the fence about whether or not to move back home, we’ll help you discover all the pros and cons of doing so.
There are a lot of factors to consider when trying to decide if moving back home is the right decision for you. However, it can be a good choice if you need to improve your current financial situation, must help your elderly parents (or if you are in need of their help), or simply feel homesick and miss your loved ones too much.
Should I Move Back Home to Save Money?
A lot of expats face the decision of whether to move home, even if they’ve previously chosen some of the best places to live abroad. There are many reasons why you might want to move back to your homeland. Maybe you’ve just graduated from college and can’t find a job in your field, or maybe you’re sick of the high cost of living overseas and are looking for a simpler way of life. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that one of the biggest factors in deciding whether or not to move home is money.
One of the biggest financial advantages of relocating back to your parents is that you’ll save on housing costs. If you’re currently paying rent, you’ll most likely be able to save a significant amount of money by living in your old home. Even if you don’t want to move in with your family, you can still save quite a bit – if your current country has much higher living expenses.
Still, when you’re living on your own, there are a lot of hidden costs that can add up quickly, such as groceries, utilities, transportation, and entertainment. But if you decide to go back to your family house, a lot of those costs will either be eliminated or greatly reduced.
Possible Financial Downsizes of Relocating to Your Old House
Of course, there are also some potential drawbacks to relocating back home from a financial perspective. One is that it may be difficult to find a job in your desired field if you’re relocating to a smaller town or rural area. As a result, you may have to take a lower-paying job just to make ends meet, which could offset any savings you would’ve gained by living at home rent-free.
Another potential downside is that it may be harder to save money when living at home because there will always be a temptation to spend on unnecessary things. For example, if your parents are covering the bill for groceries, it may be tempting to eat out more often than you would if you were living in another country and had to budget for food costs separately.
So, is moving back home to save money a good idea? Ultimately, it depends on your individual circumstances. If saving money is your top priority, then it could be a good option for you – especially if housing costs are eating up a large chunk of your income. However, if finding a job in your desired field is more important than saving money, then it might make more sense for you to stay put or consider relocating to a new city abroad with lower expenses. Remember – only you can decide what’s best for you.
Set Some Financial Goals Before Moving Back Home
If the answer is yes to relocation back to your parents, there will be a lot of tasks to complete on your relocation to-do list – but you already know that since you are not relocating for the first time. However, in the midst of your relocation day preparations, it is also important to take some time to set some financial goals. By making a financial plan, you can use this time at home to take control of your finances and put yourself in a much better position going forward.
Start by evaluating your current financial situation. Make a list of all your income and expenses so that you have a clear picture of where you stand. This will help you determine what kind of goals are realistic for you to achieve. For example, if you are currently living paycheck-to-paycheck with no savings, your goal might be to start an emergency fund so that you are prepared for unexpected expenses. Or, if you have some debt, your goal might be to pay it off as quickly as possible.
Once you have set your goals, make a budget that will help you achieve them. Be sure to include some flexibility in your plan so that you can still enjoy yourself while working towards your goals – and track your progress along the way.
Should I Move Back to My Hometown and Help My Parents? The Simple Answer Is Yes
For many people, relocating back home after living abroad is seen as a step backward. However, there are actually a lot of benefits to coming back, both for you and your parents.
Chances are, your parents aren’t young anymore. Once simple chores can represent a real challenge to them. Additionally, older people tend to have lower immune systems and chronic diseases, so you might not even realize your parents are getting older until they become ill.
However, when you’re living at your old house, you’ll be able to be with them and reciprocate all the favors they’ve shown you through the years and help with things like grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning. By moving back home, you can take some of the burdens off of their shoulders and even free up some extra money for them to use elsewhere.
On the other hand, don’t neglect how this kind of relocation can be beneficial for your mental health. If you’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed by life outside of your homeland, being around familiar faces can be a huge relief. Regaining your initial support network when you need it is one of the relocation reasons you shouldn’t ignore.
It Is a Great Way to Create a Strong Bond With Your Parents
While you were a child, your parents were aware of all of your tendencies and moods. The time is now for them to come to know you as an adult once more – and vice versa. Find out who your parents really are because they may not be who they were ten or fifteen years ago. Spending quality time with them as adults, talking about your issues, and lending a hand to one another could give your connection additional depth and help you bond once more.
If you need some ideas about how to reconnect with your aging parents, take a look at the video below:
If You Have Kids Moving Back, Home Can Be a Great Thing
Relocating back with your parents may be the best course of action if you need help with your children. If your chosen career demands a lot of your time and you don’t want strangers raising your kids, your parents can become your superheroes. They can pick up your kids from school, feed them, play, or just spend time with them. If this is the kind of help you need, it may be for the best to get packing services, book a move, and ask your parents for assistance.
After You Move Back Home, You’ll Be Able to Revive Old Friendships
Relocating across the world can be challenging, and losing your support network is one of the reasons for it. Sure, learning a new language abroad and experiencing different cultures can be an amazing experience, but at the same time, you can get lonely. If you’re feeling homesick and you miss old friends and family too much after moving internationally, relocating back to your hometown can be beneficial – especially if you had difficulties keeping in touch with friends. Here are a few tips on how to reconnect with your old friends:
- Contact them and let them know you’re relocating back,
- Make an effort to meet up with them as soon as possible after you move back,
- Attend local events and gatherings where you’re likely to see your old friends,
- Be patient, and don’t expect things to pick up exactly where they left off – everyone has changed since you last saw each other.
Few things are more satisfying than reconnecting with an old friend you were inseparable with before your moving abroad. Whether you run into each other by chance or tracked each other down on social media, rekindling an old friendship can be a very rewarding experience – especially if making friends abroad hasn’t turned out a success.
Are There Some Cons to Moving Back Home?
Of course, getting international moving services in order to move back with your parents once again won’t be all sunshine and roses. You’ll undoubtedly have to meet some challenges down the road. Here are examples of some possible difficulties:
You will have no privacy
Don’t be shocked if your parents start tracking when you go out and with whom. They can’t help but act like parents no matter your age, and they will always see you as their kid. Accepting that is the best course of action for as long as you are living together.
You will disturb their routine
When you attempt to put yourself in your parents’ shoes, you’ll see that your daily life hasn’t been the only one that has undergone significant change. They give up their tranquility and way of life to provide you with the opportunity to sort things out and go on.
There will be some conflicts of opinion
Spending each day with your parents will bring out your differences. You’ll notice that they have their own views on trifling domestic matters as well as the economy, politics, and wholesome food. More importantly, you may have different views and beliefs. Be ready for occasional conflicts, but remember that fighting with them will only make the issue worse.
You'll need to endure unsolicited advice
Older generations, especially parents, have a tendency to interfere in matters that don’t concern them. No matter what it is, your way of life is ideal for receiving all kinds of criticism and advice, from what you dress and eat to how you’re raising your children.
Your freedom will be limited
Living on your own gives you lots of freedom to live as you see fit. However, after relocating back with your parents, you won’t have your own space, so don’t expect to sleep till noon and get out of sleep in your underpants. Other behaviors won’t be permitted, such as drinking milk straight from the container or listening to loud music at unusual hours. Simply put, you’ll need to start following your parent’s rules – once again.
If the Pros Outweigh the Cons, It’s Time to Move
If you decide there are a lot of relocation benefits you can gain from this move, and potential disadvantages don’t represent that big of an issue, it may be time to start planning your relocation. However, the process of relocating can be complex and overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to coordinate everything on your own. Fortunately, there are relocation experts who specialize in helping people move efficiently. Hiring an international moving company takes a lot of guesswork and relocation stress out of the move. Therefore, make sure to get professional assistance and start focusing on settling back into your old house.
