Hmm. Here's the thing - if you could afford to rent or to buy a house and you aren't presently paying your parents rent - then you are being a bit of a douche anyway... Yes, even if they insist they don't want any money from you.

>>12299873
I pay rent, never said I didn't. I pay a bit less than I would if I was renting, and instead of paying off some landlords mortgage I'm helping out my Mum and Dad.

There's nothing wrong with what you are doing. I am alson 27 and there is no way I can afford to buy a house. An average house price in my city is north of $600,000. The house that I live now is worth more than that. I don't have money for a downpayment.

As far as girlfriend situation, it shouldn't matter so much as long as you have a job and are an interesting person. It's more or less the same way here as girls would have to be delusional to think a guy in his 20s could be able to afford a half a million dollar house.

>>12299949
I think you've misunderstood Re. the girlfriend issue. I'm not worried I won't get a girlfriend because I don't own a house. I've never been in a relationship and I'm worried I'm not capable of forming one.

>>12300014
Well in my opinion it's like saying you'll never learn how to drive if you never got a license yet. I think anyone can form a relationship, the question is if they are ready for it.

Wow OP your situation and motivations aound similar to mine. I've been thinking I should sell what little I own and just travel for a while. I'm guessing you've got money put away?

Hey OP i'm basically you but 24. I'm thinking of biting the bullet soon and moving out just because it will force me to get a full time job, ect.

>>12300048
Yes. I have enough for a house deposit, or a year or so traveling, or whatever...

i moved when i was 24. Moved to a whole new country. Before that i was mom's teddy bear. It's just so much better to live on your own. You don't need a big ass house. An apartment in decent neighborhood is just fine. Once i moved to a new job, new place, my social life is so much better. It could be even better if i made any attempts to work on it.

renting is probably your best bet
>a lot more independence
>a big 'growing up' experience
>don't have to bring a hook-up to your parents' house

if you're not going to rent a place, start saving up for a down payment

As long as your not a sponge on your parents do what ever the fuck you want. Why "grow up" live the life you want and that's it.

>>12300136
I don't think that's the issue here... he said he's capable of getting a place but doesn't want to.
> I don't want to buy a house as the commitment scares me. I will be resigning myself to the fact that my mediocre life will carry on along the same path
Why exactly are you dissatisfied with your life? What do you wish you were doing?

>>12300160
You're right.
My life is unremarkable, and I grew up expecting a lot more from myself, nothing specific (which I think is half the problem), but I know I'd be a disappointment to 15 year old me. That plus the lack of a girlfriend.

>>12300183
I feel ya OP. I had my life planned out during highschool; I had good grades, a mindset, nothing was going to stop me. Lo and behold after highschool everything just hit a brick wall. If 16 year old saw what I was doing now, he'd probably end his life. Poor kid.

Just have to deal with the cards your dealt with. But for these past 4 years or so, I've been getting bad hands.

something my father taught me:

"in life, things happen TO you, not BY you, and certainly not FOR you."

carve out your own path OP. nobody else, however much you want them to, will do it for you

>>12300336
Yeah, this and It's better to regret what you've done, rather than what you did not do. If only I knew what I wanted.

bump

You know why it's good to move out, even if it's more of a financial burden?

It's because you will have your own space and learn to be independent.

When you live with your parents, that is not your own home.