"We moved into my grandparents' basement not long after we got married in spring 2025. We both traveled as kids and have gone on a few short adventures as a couple, but we'd never done any long-term. With our lease ending in the fall, it felt like the perfect time to make a big change, and we started looking at flights to Japan."
"I eventually came across a deal on December plane tickets that we couldn't pass up, but the opportunity left us with a two-month gap to fill before moving away. Short-term rentals and Airbnbs were too expensive to commit to, especially with a big move ahead. So, when my grandparents suggested we stay in their basement, only 40 minutes away from where we'd been living, it was easily the most practical option."
"Even before we started unpacking, the house instantly brought me back to my childhood. My grandparents have moved a few times over the years, but no matter the location, their home always feels the same. The dishes and teacups I grew up using are still in the cupboards. The same family photos and decorations are on the fridge and walls, with new additions that have been layered in over the years."
Moving into grandparents' basement for two months before a planned move abroad provided a practical, cost-saving solution. The household contained familiar objects, family photos, and longstanding routines that immediately evoked childhood memories. Daily life required adjusting to grandparents' schedules, habits, and new household members like a budgie named Crash. Short-term rentals proved too expensive, making the family home the clear choice. Living together as adults demanded setting boundaries and navigating domestic dynamics with patience. The shared time strengthened familial bonds, created renewed appreciation for layers of family history, and offered small, meaningful moments that reshaped perspectives on home and togetherness.
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]