I used to say that I wouldn’t want to date someone who lives with their parents or with roommates. But with the current cost-of-living crisis, who can blame them? 

Actor Callum Turner echoed this sentiment when he was asked whether it’s a red flag for someone with a full-time job to live with their parents. “In this economy? That’s fine!” he said. Monica Barbaro, his co-star in the film One Night Only, added that every millennial had to go back home after college to live with their parents. 

The only people I know who can afford to live by themselves are people who inherited money or property. I remember dating a guy in my early 20s who lived with his parents. We spent time at my flat or booked an Airbnb or a hotel, which was exhausting and annoying. When we broke up, I said, “Never again!” But with the current economy, I now hesitate to rule out a dating match just because he lives at home or with three flatmates.

In major cities like New York or London, the cost of living turns dating into a class issue. More than a quarter of Londoners live in poverty. Meanwhile, financial pressures are equally apparent across the Atlantic. Half of working-age New Yorkers are struggling to cover their basic needs. These challenges inevitably impact when, who, and how we date. 

For instance, on social media, women are being advised not to go on coffee dates because they are low-effort. And while I understand the desire to feel like the person you are on a date with is invested in your connection, I fear the........

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