What’s More Important in Your 20s: Paying Off Student Loans or Moving Out?

I’m 26, and currently gross 50k a year. I recently graduated from college… and I have $21k in student loan debt. I am still living at home, and was planning on moving out in a few months. Would it be best to pay off the student loan debt in full before moving?

We came across this question from Reddit user chris0111110, and we’d love to know what you think.

This is the challenge many 20-somethings face as we leave college and try to make our next move a smart one.

For our parents, starting a job, striking out on their own and starting a family may have been clear next steps after graduating college. But many of us are strapped with student loan debt beyond their wildest nightmares.

That changes the trajectory a bit.

Responses to chris0111110’s question are mixed, and there’s certainly no perfect answer.

• Are you willing to stay in your parents’ house well into adulthood to pay down your debt?

• Or do you prefer to shoulder the burden of debt to claim independence and stop relying on the people who raised you?

Your Turn: Let us know your thoughts (and experiences) in the comments!

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more.