Many Hungarian young adults live with their parents, here is why

According to szeretlekmagyarország.hu, statistics show that more young adults live in their parents’ home than ever. But why is the “Hotel Mum” so popular? University students were asked.

In 21 years the number of young adults (older than 20 years old) living with their parents increased to more than its double, as it turns out from a report. According to data of the Central Statistics Office, it is visible that in 1990 16% of 20-39 year-olds lived with their parents, in 2011 this percentage is 31.4, moreover, this proportion is growing, although in a slowing pace.

Therefore more and more young adults live with their parents and choose the easier, “served” way of life instead of being independent. According to experts, the delay of starting an independent life, getting a job, and having children can lead to dangerous economic and social problems.

This is the reason why older generations are mocking them with expressions like “Hotel Mum”, “Peter Pan syndrome”, “yo-yo generation”. But is it only the fault of these young adults? It is easy to exhort them to move out, but the truth may be more complex. We asked six university students living at “Hotel Mum”.

Levente, 23, BME Msc

Levi worked whenever he had the chance. But since he was admitted to the MA course in the engineering school, his parents do not expect him to work on the weekends or in a night shift besides going to school 5 days a week, which would be essential if he wanted to move out from the nest and move in with some friends given the high rent prices.

“If I had to work, it would probably have a negative impact on my school performance”

– said Levi, adding that the atmosphere at home does not give him a reason for moving either. Advantages of living at home include having company all the time, and he does not have to pay rent or for the utilities to his parents. “A disadvantage, at the same time, is not feeling independent enough, although I am 23 years old and I have a university degree. Plus, I have to conform to five other people.”

It might seem that Levi is comfortable at home, but in reality he feels like he is lagged behind and would like to start his own life soon. Not because of his friends, most of them also live with their parents, just because of himself. He would like to move in one or two years’ time, he will try to organize his weekly schedule so that he has time for work too.

Zsófi, 19, BGE

In the case of Zsófi, almost every circumstance is a reason for her to stay. She is a top athlete and all of her free time is absorbed in training. She only has time for work in the breaks. Moreover, the university is only a 10-minute car drive away from her home. Her mother is a house wife, for them it is the usual case that she prepares lunch or dinner for the family every day.

Naturally, there are disadvantages: after university parties Zsófi often spends hours on the night bus and none of her colleagues live near. But these are not reasons for someone to move.

“Most of my best friends live in the county, consequently they did not have another choice apart from moving to the capital. The rest of them still live in the family nest, many of them for financial reasons, but others, like me, simply enjoy their situation as it is,” 

– says Zsófi, who is not planning on moving out in the foreseeable future. Her parents are youthful and she needs their financial support as long as she attends the university and does sports at the same time. After graduating she might consider moving out if she finds the suitable partner.

Réka and Kata, both 22, Semmelweis University

The case of Réka and Kata is special, since they are twins and are enrolled to the Faculty of Physiotherapy at Semmelweis University. Both have been living with their parents ever since. They were unable to work enough besides attending the university, so they couldn’t move out. Kata believes that it makes no sense to move out with their parents supporting them financially, because it does not make them independent. For her it is obvious that she could move together with her sister, so they do not need to look for a flatmate. They plan to move out in two years’ time, when they are 24 years old.