"If We Don't Get Married, Let's Live Together"... Gen Z Turns to Buying Homes With Friends Instead of Romantic Partners [The World According to Gen Z Gold]

Rising Housing Prices Add Financial Pressure for Young People
Sharing Homeownership Costs with Trusted Friends
Growing Awareness of 'Joint Home Buying' in the UK

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is attracting attention as a generation leading culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, establishing new standards throughout society. In "The World According to Gen Z Gold," we shine a spotlight on the lives and values of Gen Z around the world, and seek to examine how they are transforming society.

With soaring housing prices making home ownership increasingly out of reach, more members of Generation Z—especially in the United States—are buying houses together with friends. In the past, it was common for couples to purchase a home as a prelude to marriage; now, rather than waiting for marriage, many are splitting costs and jointly buying homes with trusted friends, resulting in a growing culture of co-ownership.

'Buying a Home With a Friend'... Soaring Prices Transform Housing Trends

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The U.S.-based online media outlet Upworthy recently reported that "platonic co-buying," in which friends (rather than romantic partners or spouses) purchase a home together, is emerging as a new housing trend among Gen Z women. This involves pooling funds to buy a home together with friends, family, or acquaintances who are not in a romantic relationship.

The outlet noted that "the joke between friends to 'buy a home together if we're both still single at 40' is becoming reality," and added, "As more people choose to plan their future with a trusted friend, instead of within the traditional family structure built on marriage, 'platonic co-buying' is becoming more than a passing trend—it is establishing itself as a new way of life."

In fact, more cases are emerging of friends purchasing homes together. Aisha Lasko and Jasmine Melvin, friends for over 15 years, also decided to buy a home jointly. After both divorced last year, they decided to search for a new home together in Washington, D.C., ultimately co-purchasing a house with five bedrooms and four bathrooms valued at $905,000 (approximately 120 million won).

Aisha commented, "Although this might not be seen as the traditional route, falling in love and marrying someone you have only known for a few years involves even greater risks." She added, "We're raising our children together, and by caring for our five children as a team, we've become reliable partners for one another."

This shift reflects the increasingly challenging reality facing young people trying to buy a home. According to the 2025 'Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers' report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the share of first-time home buyers dropped to a record low of 21 percent, and their average age rose to an all-time high of 40. This demonstrates that younger generations today face a growing burden when it comes to home ownership. The research analyzed home transactions between July 2024 and June 2025.

"Living With Friends Has Health Benefits, Too"

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Some analysts say that the spread of platonic co-buying is driven not only by economic factors but also by emotional ones. A growing body of research shows that the sense of belonging and emotional stability friends provide can positively impact quality of life and health.

Mayo Clinic in the United States has also noted, "Friends have a significant impact on overall health. Adults with strong social connections are at a lower risk for health issues such as depression, high blood pressure, and obesity." The clinic highlighted, "Research shows that older adults who maintain strong friendships tend to live longer than their peers with fewer friends."

Co-Buying Homes Gains Traction in the UK... 5 Out of 10 Would Consider Buying With Friends

This trend is being seen not only in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom. According to a survey conducted by UK real estate platform Rightmove and U.S. toy brand Barbie of 2,000 Millennial and Gen Z women in the UK, 48 percent of respondents said they would consider purchasing a home with a friend. Of these, 56 percent believed co-ownership would make them happier, 58 percent thought it would help them achieve financial stability, and 62 percent expected it would strengthen their sense of community.

Colin Babcock, a real estate expert at Rightmove, said, "Owning a home remains an important life goal for many young women, but the process is far from easy. Faced with the burden of high house prices, nearly half of respondents said they are considering buying a home with a friend as a way to achieve their dream sooner."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.