My parents are a UK father and South American mother.

I could stay as long as I wanted, and nothing was expected of me.

But they didn’t live near a good university, and going was expected for me, so our hand was forced.

It was expected that I get the max student loans, but they’d cover the rest, so I could focus on my studies instead of some bullshit minimum wage job.

Once I got my degree, and subsequently a job, then I’m free to do whatever I want, and responsible for paying off my own loans. I’m welcome to come live with them, but again, no jobs in my field near them anyways, so again my hand was forced.

Would have been cool to start out debt free, and been able to live at home to save money, but being realistic, I probably would have spent it all anyways. I’d probably have a pretty nice car, I love cars.

I do pretty well for myself (work in tech), and know well about handling things myself, I’m pretty independent and resourceful, I can obviously deal with my own tech issues, I’m good at figuring out legal issues (with landlords and shit), and even know how to do almost all my own car repairs (crazy savings if you can wield a wrench and watch a YouTube DIY).

Honestly I see the advantages of living at home, but having to do without, it’s definitely pushed me to learn a lot of really useful skills and how to be resourceful. I don’t think I’d have it any other way.

Doesn’t always work though, some people aren’t biased towards overcoming challenges, and life tends to take them for a ride. My sister’s like that, a bit helpless AND in debt. Still love her, but the same path clearly did not work for her at all.