The plan is to stay six months, but they would let me stay for as long as I wanted ‘Some people look at me like I’mmadfordoingsuchathing’
Carl Elliott (26) is a hairdresser and currently lives with his parents near Lurgan. He says:
Imade the move back home to my parents after renting for six years. It came about when I decided to buy a house, because renting a house in Belfast is so expensive. You can pay around £450 for a one-bedroom flat in Belfast, so there’s almost no chance to save for a deposit or furniture or any of the other things you need.
Things were a little easier for me before as I was living with my partner, but when that relationship ended I decided it was time to knuckle down and save so I could buy somewhere of my own. I’ve been at home since September — it was actually my parents’ suggestion that I move back. They would rather I spend some time with them so I can buy a nice property, than a below average one that I have to buy because I have less choice.
The plan is to stay for around six months, but there is no real time limit on it — my parents would let me stay for as long as I wanted.
I left home at 19, so returning at 26 means there’s an entire-
ly different dynamic with my parents. I’m still their child, but I’m an adult child. But we’re close as a family anyway — although the dynamic has changed it’s still a good one.
I think that coming home as an adult you appreciate what your parents do for you a lot more.
It’s great, you get dinner made and laundry done — I want for nothing when I live with my parents, so it’s like living in the lap of luxury.
It’s nice to be looked after a bit — you’re a long time looking after yourself as an adult. I grew up in Belfast, but mum and dad have moved near Lurgan but the commute isn’t bad — there’s a park and ride service that’s quite quick. I’ve spent longer on a bus from the Lisburn Road to the city centre.
When I tell people I live with my parents, I get one of two reactions: the first is people tell me they’ve done the same thing or are considering it. The second is that people are distraught and look at me like I’m mad for doing such a thing. I think in this current climate it’s not an odd thing to do.
I’m certainly able to save now I’m at home — on average about £400 a month — so my deposit is growing.
The best thing about it though is that I’m able to take stock and look for the right next move. If I was renting I would have to take out a six month lease and at the end of that I would either have to move or make another six month commitment.
Now there is no timetable for me. I’m not going to pick the nearest property to me, I’m going to spend my time to do my research and find the right property. I find that the pressure being off is quite valuable.”