hey everyone, i’m 26 and i’ve been living with my brother (30) for the past 2 years. i originally moved in with him while i was job hunting, and he really supported me during that time. i’m also super family-oriented, so after my parents moved to another country, living with him just felt comfortable.
now i have a stable job making about $5k/month after tax, and i’m trying to figure out my next step. we currently live in dallas, and he covers about 70% of the rent while i pay around $1k. if i move out on my own, i’d probably be paying about $500 more.
he’s completely fine continuing to live together-he’s very focused on his career and not really thinking about relationships right now. but i’m at a point where i do want my own space and the freedom to date and build my own life, and i don’t want to feel like i’m holding either of us back.
i want my own space and freedom, but at the same time i’m so used to living with him. we kind of just do our own thing in separate rooms, but it’s still nice knowing someone’s there. like coming home doesn’t feel empty, you know? and as an immigrant in the U.S., i don’t really have a huge circle here yet, so that feeling matters even more to me.
so i’m torn… do i move out and live alone, or do we just upgrade to a nicer 2-bedroom together?
what would you do in my situation?
TL;DR: Comfort vs independence: stay living with my brother (cheaper, familiar) or move out, pay more, and build my own life? What makes more sense?
Im 26- Should I Move Out or Stay With My Brother?
byu/Capable-Occasion7992 inpersonalfinance
Posted by Capable-Occasion7992
1 Comment
its really up to you, but me personally, I’d live with your brother until it starts affecting your relationship with him and save as much as you can. sure, its a PITA to date when living with a brother, but you’ll figure it out (at least, the right partner will). Especially at age 26-35. 500 a month is 5k a year. A few of those years, and you have enough for a down payment on a house somewhere.