Some people worry that more and more people are leaving their family homes—choosing instead to live alone or with friends—and that this is somehow damaging our communities. I don’t see it that way. In fact, I think this shift reflects how people today are learning to take care of themselves, to build their own support systems, and to figure out where they belong. And I believe that kind of growth doesn’t harm communities—it makes them stronger.
Living with family has long been seen as the norm. But the truth is, not all family homes are warm or supportive. Some are characterized by pressure, silence, or even pain. So when someone chooses to step away and build a new life—maybe on their own, maybe with close friends—they’re not abandoning community. They’re searching for a version of it that feels honest and safe. That’s brave. That’s human.
And when people live with friends, those homes often become close-knit communities. They cook together, look out for each other, share rent and stories and moments of laughter. There’s care there, and real connection. These aren’t cold, disconnected lives—they’re just different kinds of closeness. Choosing chosen family over blood relatives often fosters greater respect, understanding, and emotional security.
Even living alone doesn’t mean someone is alone in life. Some people need space to find themselves, especially in a world that often moves too fast and tells us who we’re supposed to be. This solitude can be profoundly restorative. And when they’re ready, these same people often come back to the world more open, more willing to connect with others, and more grounded in who they are.
In the end, community isn’t defined by living under the same roof as your family—it’s about the kindness and connection we share with the people around us, whoever they may be. People who choose to live differently aren’t turning away from others; they’re often just trying to build a life that feels honest and right for them. And that search—for safety, for meaning, for a sense of home—can bring out some of the most genuine, caring parts of who we are. That’s what really holds communities together.