I still live at home with my parents at 43 — they’re my best friends
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There are many reasons why Minreet Kaur has never moved out of her parents’ house, but none of them are to do with money. At 43 years old, Minreet’s mum and dad are her best friends. She’s lived in the same West London two-bed terrace with them, which they’ve owned since the 1970s, for more than four decades.
![[FOR METRO Minreet Kaur, 42, who has lived with her parents since childhood. Pictured: Minreet???s parents in their living room. Shot on 11th November 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEI_229259824-8b8a.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Every morning, Minreet and her mum, Pritpal, 73, make a cup of Indian tea, before going for a walk or a swim. They enjoy baking cakes, and Minreet’s introduced her mum to Netflix. The family are all avid runners; Pritpal completed the London Marathon in 2023, while Minreet crossed the finish line with her dad, Rajinder, 76, this year.
![[FOR METRO Minreet Kaur, 42, who has lived with her parents since childhood. Pictured: Minreet with her mom in their living room. Shot on 11th November 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEI_229293332-7716.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Minreet, a journalist, has slept in the same bedroom since childhood. The white cupboards, pink walls and white door have been there for 40 years. ‘All random colours chosen by my dad, who’s never wanted to change anything,’ Minreet tells Metro. She hasn’t added too much in the way of personal effects as she ‘doesn’t feel it’s her room.’.
![[FOR METRO Minreet Kaur, 42, who has lived with her parents since childhood. Pictured: Minreet in her upstairs bedroom. Shot on 11th November 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEI_229259723-3e75.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
But she says that living with her parents is infinitely more comfortable than any home she’d be able to make for herself. She worries she’d feel isolated living alone. ‘They let me do what I want, and they leave decisions to me as they know I’ve always taken care of them,’ Minreet shares.
![[16/11/24 Conor Lindsay pictured with parents Carmel & Gary at home in Harviestoun Grove, Tillicoultry.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEI_230020054-6a3d.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘When I changed career, they told me not to worry if I have to do some unpaid work as they can support me — that’s a really nice thing for them to do too.’. Minreet contributes to the household bills and pays for the weekly food shop, petrol, and insurance policies — and she never asks her parents to chip in.
![[16/11/24 Conor Lindsay pictured with parents Carmel & Gary at home in Harviestoun Grove, Tillicoultry.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEI_230020051-6dba.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
