The generation returning home: Rents, living costs, and the youth's struggle for autonomy

The dream of independent living is becoming increasingly elusive for young Greeks, as soaring rents and the high cost of daily life push many back into their parents' homes. This trend is not just a matter of choice but often an economic necessity, forcing a generation to put their personal and professional aspirations on hold.

Vayos Oraiopoulos, a 32-year-old math teacher from Drama, returned to his childhood home after completing his studies. He explains that the financial realities made maintaining an independent apartment unsustainable. Living with his parents is a blend of necessity and a strategic decision to cut expenses and save for his next career step: opening his own tutoring center.

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If you want to do something more professionally, you have to save some money somehow. This way, you have to stay at home. I started from scratch. The support my family could give me was the house. It wasn't financial support. I tried working and studying at the same time in the last year. It was impossible. Both were done poorly. I returned, so for two years I was commuting to Crete to finish my studies, and the budget was this situation.

"If you want to do something more professionally, you have to save some money somehow. This way, you have to stay at home," Oraiopoulos said. "I started from scratch. The support my family could give me was the house. It wasn't financial support. I tried working and studying at the same time in the last year. It was impossible. Both were done poorly. I returned, so for two years I was commuting to Crete to finish my studies, and the budget was this situation."

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There is a huge issue with returning and cohabiting because parents treat children as children. I was one of the lucky ones and we adapted very quickly to this situation, but all my acquaintances and friends have exactly this problem.

He acknowledges that cohabitation can be challenging, as parents may still view their adult children as dependents. However, he considers himself fortunate to have adapted quickly. "There is a huge issue with returning and cohabiting because parents treat children as children. I was one of the lucky ones and we adapted very quickly to this situation, but all my acquaintances and friends have exactly this problem," he noted.

Demographer Byron Kotzamanis highlights that while housing crises affect all of Europe, Greece experiences it with exceptional intensity. He points out that the current situation isn't due to a demographic surge of young adults reaching an age to leave home; in fact, the younger generation is smaller than in the past. This suggests that economic pressures, not population numbers, are the primary drivers behind this widespread return to the parental nest.

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While housing crises affect all of Europe, Greece experiences it with exceptional intensity. He points out that the current situation isn't due to a demographic surge of young adults reaching an age to leave home; in fact, the younger generation is smaller than in the past. This suggests that economic pressures, not population numbers, are the primary drivers behind this widespread return to the parental nest.