Man Says He's 'Stuck' With Boomer Mom Living In His Apartment Because She Can't Get A Job — 'I'd Rather Live In A Cardboard Box Down By The River'

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At some point, saying yes to a parent can feel easier than dealing with what saying no might mean. That decision can carry longer than expected.

In a post on Reddit’s Xennials subreddit, a user born in 1980 asked, “Anyone else stuck with their Boomer parent(s) living with them?” He said his mother, born in 1959, has been living in his apartment for more than two years after losing her job and not finding another.

What was meant to be temporary has continued without a clear plan to change.

The tension shows up in everyday moments.

He described ongoing conflict, including criticism like, “why can’t you just be normal?” He also portrayed a pattern of behavior that makes the situation difficult to manage.

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Even routine decisions turn into arguments. He said the thermostat is set at 75 degrees, already higher than the 72 it was before she moved in, but it still leads to complaints. When he pushed back, she replied, “Oh really?? It’s YOUR house!! Push it back to 72 if you want me to freeze.”

The issues don’t resolve. They repeat.

The replies show how people respond to this kind of setup.

One commenter wrote, “I’d rather live in a cardboard box down by the river.” Another added, “You’re the first one to smash the cardboard box.”

Other responses focused on boundaries. Some said they would not allow a parent to stay under similar conditions. Others pointed out that without clear expectations, situations like this can affect relationships and daily life.

A few noted that shared living can work when responsibilities and timelines are defined early. Without that structure, conflict tends to build.

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More households are combining generations, and the numbers show it.

The National Association of Realtors reported last year that 17% of home purchases were multigenerational, the highest share recorded, with cost savings cited by 36% of buyers.

About 4.5 million to 4.8 million households have an older parent living in a home headed by their adult child, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. That number is expected to grow in the coming years.

At the same time, the more common pattern remains younger adults living with parents. Roughly one-third of adults ages 18 to 34 live at home in recent data, showing that the traditional dynamic still dominates.

Many boomers and adults over 65 are facing real financial strain. About 22% are still working, and surveys suggest roughly 27% to 30% have little or no retirement savings. That reality is putting more pressure on adult children and making early planning around retirement and housing more important for both generations.

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Situations like this often come down to structure.

Without a defined timeline, shared financial responsibility, and clear expectations, a temporary stay can continue without direction.

For older adults, planning ahead can reduce the likelihood of needing to rely on family housing. For families already in this position, setting boundaries early can make the situation more manageable.

Without that, the question raised in the post doesn’t change—and neither does the situation.

Situations like this often trace back to something less visible than family dynamics: financial preparation. When retirement savings, income stability, or long-term housing plans aren’t clearly mapped out, it can make transitions harder for everyone involved.

For families thinking ahead—or already navigating these challenges—getting a clearer picture of long-term financial options can help bring structure to decisions around retirement and housing. Platforms like Finance Advisors connect users with fiduciary financial advisors who can help evaluate retirement readiness, budgeting, and broader planning based on individual circumstances.

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Man Says He’s ‘Stuck’ With Boomer Mom Living In His Apartment Because She Can’t Get A Job — ‘I’d Rather Live In A Cardboard Box Down By The River’