A new city, a new home, new opportunities – moving often marks a new chapter in life. This is particularly true of leaving the parental home: in Germany, young people move out at an average age of 20.5. But for some, their newfound freedom does not last: more than one in six later return to their parents’ home. These are the findings of a recent survey commissioned by immowelt on moving habits in Germany. It reveals some significant differences between generations and genders.
Younger generations return to the parental home more often
Leaving the parental home and never returning can no longer be taken for granted, particularly among younger generations. While an average of 15 per cent of Germans later returned to their parents after moving out, the figures are higher for Generation Y (those born between 1981 and 1996) at 19 per cent and Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) at 18 per cent. Rising rents and uncertain job prospects are apparently prompting many younger people to move temporarily back into their childhood bedroom. While young people today increasingly face financial hurdles and a tight housing market, earlier generations were often able to move directly into a permanent living situation. Among baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964), only 12 per cent moved back in with their parents.
For most people, leaving the parental home is followed by further moves. On average, respondents have already moved 4.4 times, and 68 per cent have moved home at least three times. One striking finding is that women move more frequently than men: 73 per cent of women have moved at least three times, compared with only 64 per cent of men. Women apparently adapt their living situation to new circumstances more often, for example for a new job or a relationship. A keener awareness of housing quality may also play a part.
Emotions when moving: a fresh start or a nervous breakdown?
Although moving home is part of life for many people, it prompts very different emotions. Some 31 per cent of Germans name happiness as their dominant emotion when moving. They associate changing homes with positive expectations and a sense of a new beginning.
Others, by contrast, see a move as a pragmatic decision that does not produce any particular emotional response: 17 per cent of respondents said they felt emotionally neutral about moving.
For some, negative feelings dominate: 14 per cent primarily feel overwhelmed by moving. That is hardly surprising. High costs, the organisational effort involved, fear of damage during the move and uncertainty over whether the new living situation is really the right one can impose a considerable burden and cause stress.