It seems those suburban homes sprawled across the 905 regions are big for a reason — their childhood bedrooms and converted basements are packed with “kids” in their 20s still living at home.

More than 75 per cent of 20- to 29-year-olds in GTA municipalities such as Richmond Hill, King City, Pickering, Vaughan and Caledon are still living with their parents, according to newly released census data.

That’s considerably more than the 56.3 per cent of 20-somethings who are still living at home in Toronto — and the 42.3 per cent across Canada — the 2011 census shows.

But the 905 nesting phenomenon appears to be far more cultural and financial than that old cliché of boomerang kids failing to launch.

Arian Saffarian, 26, and his 31-year-old brother are both still living at the Oakville home where they grew up after their parents emigrated here from Iran in 1996. Saffarian is in his final year at York University then has student loans to pay off. His brother is getting his feet on the ground in the working world.

But Saffarian, and many of his friends, have other reasons as well.

“Most of us tend to stay longer with our parents so we can look after each other. We feel responsible to somehow pay them back, although they don’t ask for it, by helping out because of all the sacrifices our parents made.”

Sales representative Diane Natalizio sees such old-world traditions and family dynamics playing out in the showroom of Expo City, one of the first major condo developments planned for the City of Vaughan.

“We see people in here who are 28 and nervous about being on their own for the first time. That’s the European background — you live at home until you get married,” says Natalizio, who did just that until she was 25.

“It’s not looked on at all as failure to launch. It’s a beautiful, comfortable life. You’re getting three meals a day and helping your aging parents at the same time.”

University of British Columbia professor Mary Ann Murphy is more concerned about what she calls “delayed adulthood.” The 2011 census revealed just 30.8 per cent of young adults are likely to be part of a couple, compared to 51.8 per cent in 1981.

“We’ve got failure to launch, we’re delaying marriage, we’re delaying parenthood,” said Murphy, who specializes in issues around aging. “What are the future implications for these older parents who have young children. As they get into their senior years, they may be 70-something with children at home,” she said.

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One factor keeping kids stuck in the 905 nest longer is the lack of housing: The suburban race for space left little room to build apartments and condos. Many, like Vaughan and Richmond Hill, are just getting those smaller units off the ground now.

Mayor David Barrow was surprised to find out that 76.5 per cent of Richmond Hill’s young adults are still bunking with mom and dad, but suspects many are commuting by day to universities and colleges in the GTA.

As well, over 50 per cent of the city’s residents come from other countries, like China, where housing is so expensive it’s just expected that kids will stay at home until they marry.

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In fact, immigrant centres are starting to see the tables turn as the population ages and 20-somethings move into good jobs. They’re buying big homes with room enough for aged parents who can no longer cope on their own.

With files from Bruce-Campion-Smith

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