New Jersey millennials are stuck in their parents’ basements

By Erica Jedynak

October 18, 2015 | 8:00pm

It’s the worst-kept secret in the Garden State: People are leaving the state in droves — New Jersey has the highest out-migration rate in the nation — and those who stay aren’t doing well.

But New Jersey is also the nation’s leader in another troubling, underappreciated category: Nearly half — 48 percent — of New Jersey’s young adults are living with their parents, more than in any other state.

Let that sink in. Tens of thousands of people in their prime — who should be building their dreams — are stuck in Mom and Dad’s basement.

Living with the parents means other dreams are being put on hold, like getting married, having a family or starting a business. As a millennial myself, I was fortunate to get married a few weeks ago. But 71 percent of young adults in the state have never been married.

Everyone has to accept disappointment in life, but far too many young New Jerseyans are getting used to disappointment being the status quo. And far too many families are literally being broken up as generations move out of state. I asked around recently — what’s life like in the Garden State for millennials?

“I’m living at home, have three degrees and can’t find a paying job anywhere! I’m currently working for free so I have some experience to put down on my résumé,” one 30-year-old attorney told me.

Don’t believe me when I say New Jersey’s economy is breaking up families? Then don’t take it from me, take it from a retired mother of three adult children, who said: “We have three kids living in three different states who will never return! They are asking us when we are leaving.”

https://nypost.com/2015/10/18/new-jersey-millennials-are-stuck-in-their-parents-basement/