For some, moving in with relatives during the pandemic has been a necessity. For many, though, living with extended family is a choice. The rise in multigenerational households that began in the 1980s shows no sign of stopping.
There are practical advantages, of course. For 26-year-old Lindsay Brooks, living rent-free with her mom allowed her to pay off her student loans “10 times faster,” she says. Now, however, Ms. Brooks is thinking about moving out. “It definitely has been worth it,” she says. “But I think it’s important for people to set a timeline and not get caught down that rabbit hole of not having to pay for anything.”