A recent survey from VibrantNation.com, an online community for women over 50, shows that the empty nest is turning into boarding houses for various family members. Nearly 2/3 of Boomer women respondents reported that one or more of their adult children have returned home to live and of those adult children, nearly half have brought one or more of their own children along too.
According to the Vibrant Nation survey, Boomer women are dealing with a full house:
- 63% have an adult child living with them now (only 41% report ever having returned home to live as adults themselves) and most expect their adult child(ren) to remain with them for more than one year.
- 27% have grandchildren living under the same roof.
- 13% have parents or in-laws living with them as well.
- 70% blame the economy as the reason for this outcome.
- 71% report that living in a multi-generational household makes it harder for them to achieve their personal goals.
“The Recession is making the ‘Empty Nest’ a historical relic, at least for Boomers,” said Stephen Reily, Founder and CEO of VibrantNation.com. “Our research suggests that they are footing the bill for their children, grandchildren and even parents who have moved into their homes and are now assuming multi-generational housing responsibilities that we probably haven’t seen since the Great Depression.”
