Forget waiting for your BTO or hitting 35—more Gen Zs are choosing to move out and rent their own place before getting married. Having a place to call your own used to be rare, but moving out has become a milestone that’s commonplace for today’s Gen Zs looking for more independence and privacy.
We take a look at the rising trend of Gen Zs embracing renting, the real costs of getting your own pad, and why some eventually decide to return home after this prelude to adulting.
Writer’s note: responses have been edited for clarity.
The rise in renting among Gen Zs before marriage
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, more Gen Zs are choosing to move out of their family homes to rent and live independently. This shift marks a growing trend amongst young adults seeking autonomy and experiencing adulting on their terms—some of the options include renting a room, sharing a flat with housemates, or even opting for co-living spaces.
What was once perceived as a “wasteful” expense is now seen as a rite of passage among the younger generation, serving as a milestone of independence, or even a form of self-care.
The psychology behind moving out—freedom, identity, and adulting
1. Experiencing adulting & being independent
Image credit: @charalow on Lemon8
Moving out and living independently offers Gen Zs a sense of freedom, in a space that they can finally call their own. With fewer restrictions, they’re able to live without judgment from family members and enjoy what could be a more peaceful home environment, without getting nagged at. For those who can afford to rent before they buy their first home, this is what they perceive as an opportunity to fully live out their 20s.
Image credit: @eve.chk on Lemon8
For younger couples waiting to collect their BTO keys, moving out and living together can help them test the waters before marriage, and introduces a more domestic dynamic to the relationship. With their own space, couples get to discover each other’s quirks and work out a routine even before collecting their BTO keys.
Otherwise, living alone also provides the perfect opportunity for Gen Zs to pick up essential life skills such as budgeting, cooking, and cleaning, in a world where most of them would have grown up with all or most of their needs taken care of. With no one else to rely on, discipline becomes crucial in building independence.
A Gen Z’s reflection:
“25 this year, moved out and stayed in a rental place for 4 years now. The best thing is freedom but [it’s] also a double-edged sword cause now you need to be independent and disciplined. So far I’m happy ‘cause it’s good for my mental health from being in a toxic household to quiet and peace. In the past 4 years I learnt to cook, clean and plan the days out on when to do my chores or cook and when I can buy out and chill.
Also the more often you grocery shop the more often you know what promos are worth and if you should buy. As for bills, honestly keeping it minimal is hard since we live in a very expensive city so I will say sacrifices have to be made. Cooking is really essential when living alone and eating healthy.” – u/BIG_beanie26 on Reddit
2. Increased privacy & mental health
Image credit: @mercurialnature on Lemon8
Some Gen Zs choose to keep living independently after living on campus during uni, or studying and staying abroad—especially since it can be hard to adjust to family life and having less personal space again.
For example, Wern, who previously lived abroad in New Zealand and the UK, found it uncomfortable to live with her family after returning home. Unlike when you stay with family, having your own space provides you with the privacy to just be yourself.
In the long term, moving out can potentially improve the relationship between Gen Zs and their parents. That physical distance creates breathing room for both parties, so there’s less friction.
A Gen Z’s reflection:
“Having your own space really means spending time with yourself. Now you have sort of an extension of self – your house. In these past two months l’ve been really getting to know myself in ways that l’ve never been able to before. Especially since I got retrenched, I think the experience was something that I really had to sit with and process on my own. And now I finally get the time and space to do so! The ownership of space has really helped me gain better clarity on my relationship with myself.” – @ohmycrumpets on Lemon8
3. Complicated family circumstances
Some young adults also choose to move out when they’re financially able, especially due to personal or family circumstances. For some who have shared a bedroom with a sibling, moving out provides space and privacy. For instance, Lemon8 user @mercurialnature chose to move out because she was still sharing a room with her brother, who would game late into the night and disrupt her sleep.
For others, the decision is a more weighted one—moving out is more necessity than fancy, due to complicated family circumstances such as abusive family members. In these situations, having your own space is not only about gaining independence, but also protecting your physical and mental well-being.
A Gen Z’s reflection:
“I moved out when I was 21. My relations weren’t bad with my family exactly but I just needed some distance for the sake of my mental health. And it was just too crowded.” – [deleted] user on Reddit
The cost of independence
Beyond the monthly rent, moving out on one’s own comes with other costs that often only become obvious once you start renting.
Hidden monetary costs
Hidden expenses can add up quickly at every stage of the rental process. There are standard one-off fees such as the security deposit, stamp duty on the tenancy agreement, and even end-of-tenancy cleaning fees that are involved.
On top of rent, regular rental costs include monthly utilities and internet fees, which can range between $100-$200. Some landlords might also expect regular aircon servicing to be covered by the tenant, causing the rental budget to balloon. Hence, it’s also crucial to understand the rental agreement and verify what needs to be paid as a tenant.
Emotional costs
After all the initial buzz and excitement of moving in and settling down, the reality that you’re on your own can start to sink in. While it’s exciting to finally have a space of their own, many Gen Zs soon realise that household chores like washing dishes or taking out the trash can quickly pile up if left undone—there’s nobody else to clean up after you.
Even though rental contracts usually last 1 to 2 years, there’s always the risk of early termination by the landlord, adding to a sense of uncertainty about the housing situation. For those who rent a room and live with their landlords, they might feel like their every move is constantly scrutinised, and face restrictions such as a ban on visitors and heavy cooking, making it hard for their rental to feel like a home.
Choosing to move home
1. Increasingly expensive rent & nightmare landlords
Image credit: @nicoleangrl on Lemon8
With rent prices steadily climbing, more Gen Zs are choosing to move back into their family homes to cut costs. Instead of spending a large chunk of their salary on rent, many are shifting towards long-term goals, such as saving up to buy a home in the future.
The various expenses involved in renting can easily add up, and with the rising cost of living, renting often becomes an unsustainable option—something done more for the experience rather than being a long-term solution.
When your lease ends, searching for an affordable rental unit all over again can be draining. Even after finding a unit or room, you might find yourself catfished by the listing—you won’t really know what your landlord or housemates are like until you’ve already moved in. Some tenants end up stuck with nightmare landlords or unexpected living conditions that only become apparent after the fact.
2. Moving back to take care of parents
As Gen Zs grow older, moving back isn’t just about saving money, but also about fulfilling family responsibilities to their ageing parents. Some choose to return home to take care of their family members, or simply be more present in their lives.
Interestingly, moving out and renting could be a turning point for some, where their parents finally start seeing them as fully-fledged adults—which possibly comes with less nagging and thus, tension.
A Gen Z’s reflection:
“I’ve a strained relationship with my mom so I really cherished my time living out on my own. Lately mom is unwell so I’m back living with her taking care of her full time and walking on eggshells again hahaha… Until my next freedom break.” – @user590730586915 on Lemon8
Renting before marriage—rite of passage or passing trend?
Renting before marriage is a trend that’s here to stay. It’s undeniably a formative life experience that cannot be replicated when one is living under their parents’ roof. Having their own space allows Gen Zs to explore adulthood on their own terms, picking up important skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Even if it’s only for the short term, the experience of freedom and living independently will leave a lasting impact on the young adult. Whether they return home with sharper life skills, a greater appreciation for their parents, or difficult lessons in adulting, it’s no wonder that Gen Zs are deciding to move out before they buy their first home.
For more renting tips and tricks:
- How much rent should you pay based on your salary
- 8 best rental tips every tenant should know before signing the lease
- The ultimate guide on how to rent a room, entire HDB flat or condo
Cover image adapted from: @mercurialnature, @kimotherapyy on Lemon8
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