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Internet commenters defended one 25-year-old who gutted her high-tech living space after her parents asked her to move out.
In a viral Reddit post published on r/AmITheA**hole, Redditor u/TAMovingout (otherwise referred to as the original poster, or OP) said she spent years and money customizing her bedroom before she was made to move her operation—and electronic renovations—elsewhere.
Titled, "[Am I the a**hole] for removing all the improvements I made to my room and my parents' house after they announced that I would have to move?" the post has received nearly 8,000 upvotes and 700 comments in the last day.
Beginning with the explanation that she lives with her parents because their home is close to her job and in an expensive area, the original poster said she made drastic improvements to her bedroom and bathroom, installing air conditioning, new furniture, a new shower and smart electronic capabilities.
The original poster also said she paid a significant amount for rent every month, until her parents asked her to move out completely.
Unbeknownst to them, however, all of the improvements made to their home would be moving too.
"They came to talk to me, saying it was time for me to change, because they wanted to have their moment alone," OP wrote. "I found a house and...[to] make all the changes I planned...I replaced all the [smart] sockets/bulbs/switches.
"My parents started complaining that I shouldn't take everything out, as they were in common use," OP continued. "I said they asked me to move and I'm taking everything I bought.
"They called me selfish because I made the house worse and removed the items...they complained even more when I didn't want to leave the 65" Smart TV in my room as a gift for them," OP added. "I moved a week ago, but they're still upset."
As the cost of housing continues to rise, more and more young people continue to move—back in with their parents.
Earlier this year, data published by Pew Research Center revealed that in 2021, 18 percent of the United States population was living in a multigenerational home, marking a massive 11 percent increase from the 1970s.
And just last month, new data showed that half of adults in the U.S. are currently living with one or both parents.
Despite the growing prevalence, and pandemic-caused necessity, of multigenerational households across the U.S., Pew also reports that 36 percent of Americans are opposed to adults living with their parents, claiming that it is "bad for society."
But the grass isn't always greener on the other side and many parents—once adamant on empty-nesting—come to regret forcing their children out of the family home.
Throughout the comment section of the viral Reddit post, Redditors echoed that sentiment and questioned why the original poster's parents believed they would get to keep all of their daughter's home improvements after asking the 25-year-old to move out.
"I don't understand why your parents would expect you to leave stuff that you bought for your convenience," Redditor u/whisker-fisty-cuffs wrote in the post's top comment, which has received more than 11,000 upvotes. "As long as the hole from the [AC] unit is patched and painted there should be no issue."
Redditor u/murphy2345678, whose comment has received more than 4,000 upvotes, attempted to clear up any confusion.
"It sounds like they liked all your improvements to your room and wanted it for themselves," they wrote.
"They wanted OP's stuff and wanted her to move out to take her stuff," Redditor u/TechnicianPerfect1 speculated. "That's why they're still complaining."
"Your parents wanted to profit from the changes you made," Redditor u/Hot_Highlights8116 chimed in, receiving more than 4,000 upvotes.
In a separate response, which has received nearly 2,000 upvotes, Redditor u/TwoCents-Psychologist offered a simple justification for the original poster's reverse renovation.
"You took all YOUR improvements [and replaced] them with the kind in place before hand," they commented. "Nothing wrong with that."
Newsweek reached out to u/TAMovingout for comment.
About the writer
Taylor McCloud is a Newsweek staff writer based in California. His focus is reporting on trending and viral topics. Taylor ... Read more