Twenty somethings &their starter pads

When the New York Times profiled a few twenty- and thirtysomethings on a growing phenomenon dubbed “prolonged adolescence,” a trend that involves folks in their mid-20s or older moving back into their parents’ homes, it seemed that the reverse was happening in Manila.

In New York, it seemed, people  with college degrees, not homeless hobos looking for a place to crash, mind you  were still concerned with finding themselves or the right path in life. Often, that involved living with Mom and Dad, post-grad, to deliberate before making life-changing choices. And this phenomenon was based on data before the recession. It’s easy to presume that the numbers climbed up after the economic crash.

Here, meanwhile, the number of unmarried twentysomethings leaving the nest  an unheard-of phenomenon till recently, as tradition often sees them leaving their first home only to move into a new one with their spouse  is getting bigger.

Thanks to lengthening commutes due to gridlock, entrepreneurial occupations that pay enough to finance a starter home and, well, the freedom that a solo pad affords, they’re now leaving home earlier.

I profiled a few twenty- and early thirtysomethings on their starter apartments and discovered that most loathed getting bills in the mail, while some (okay, one, but it’s worth mentioning) particularly enjoyed the freedom of vacuuming on a stormy day to the adrenaline-pumping sounds of Guns and Roses.

Sara black, photographer

Why’d you move out?

This is actually my second apartment. I moved to my first apartment to be close to work. At that time I was just getting my studio started and I would work crazy hours, it was getting really tiring to brave hours of traffic to my folks’ place, so it made sense to move a few blocks away from my studio so I could get some quality Zzzzz.

Best thing about living on your own?

You get to know yourself really well, what you like and don’t like aren’t influenced by anyone else’s opinion  even down to silly things like what type of fork and spoon you want to use!

Look of your apartment?

Minimalist-eclectic if that makes any sense. I like clean lines but I always add a quirky little thing somewhere to make things not look so serious

Did you “decorate” it or just throw your things together?

When I moved to this second apartment I told myself I’d like to live in it a bit first before deciding what to do with it to get a better sense of the space, so I just dumped all my stuff from my first apartment. Sadly, procrastination got the better of me and a year later I still haven’t finished fixing it up! But it’s my new year’s resolution so I’ve started and hopefully will have accomplished something in the next few weeks.

Worst thing about living on your own?

Sometimes it can be awfully quiet, you wish someone was around even if they’re in the next room and you don’t speak to them for hours.

Anne Bella, stylist

Anne Bella: “Her pad is a Bohemian/hippie mix with heirloom pieces.

Why’d you move out?

For practical reasons, to cut down on travel time and be closer to work. But ever since I can remember, I really wanted to be independent and know how it is to be on my own. 

Best thing about living on your own?

The freedom! And the “growing up” that you won’t get from living with your folks. Being responsible for your actions and dealing with situations that you thought were impossible. The fulfillment that you get from being in charge of your own life. 

Look of your apartment?

Bohemian/hippie mix with vintage heirloom pieces. 

Did you “decorate” it or just throw your things together?

 I live with two of my friends so our place is a mix of all our old and new stuff, which gives our house a thrown-together look. I’ve painted my past apartments with bright colors and just wanted this current one to be simple and cozy.

Worst thing about living on your own?

Having to do some things yourself like grocery and home maintenance. And paying monthly rent and bills!

Vanessa Johnson, stylist

Why’d you move out? 

I lived with my parents in San Diego, California, until I decided that I needed a change of lifestyle so I moved to Manila.

Best thing about living on your own? 

My independence.

Look of your apartment? 

Eclectic. There is so much that inspires me that I can’t possibly stick to one theme.

Did you “decorate” it or just throw your things together? 

I decorated because I wanted my place to represent me. I would find things that I like and find a place for it in my home. 

Worst thing about living on your own? 

When I’m home alone sick in bed and there’s no one to take care of me.

Gino dela Paz, with roommates Jasper from Denmark and Kalle from Finland, in their living room. “Our loft in Bogotá, Colombia was a bit like the one in L’Auberge Espagnole,” says Gino.

Gino Dela Paz, Supreme columnist

Why’d you move out?

Fate handed me an amazing opportunity to see the world as an English teacher. I was 21 then and terribly wide-eyed, so I packed my suitcase with 13 pairs of sneakers and touched down in Bogotá, Colombia. It was the best year and a half of my life  speaking Spanish like a local, meeting really odd people and learning to look after myself. I was also able to travel everywhere with the money I somehow saved. Before moving back to Canada, I zipped around Europe and got robbed somewhere in the Middle East. I got most of my battle scars during that time, a four-year spell I unoriginally refer to as “the wander years.”

Best thing about living on your own?

In Bogotá, I shared a loft-style apartment with two Scandinavian guys. As the youngest one in the house, I got off easy. I hardly did anything that resembled cleaning or cooking, yet they didn’t kick me out. We lived in a nice neighborhood and the university was a short bus ride away. There were also restaurants, shops, embassies and some dodgy clubs nearby. Our house was party central. It had a sauna after all. My apartment in Canada was no different, which was to say it was a total mess. Most of my friends would come over after school to play video games, download stuff, and steal shopping carts from the Safeway next door.

Freedom is the best thing, I would say. I cannot tell you how liberating it is to blog in your underwear and eat cold pizza for breakfast. 

Look of your apartment?

My first two apartments were glorified college dorm rooms, with the scent of spilled beer, dirty laundry and raspberries  I can’t explain that  greeting you as you walk in. My current abode is, I guess, a bit classier.  

I didn’t really have a strict theme in mind with this one since I’m a go-with-the-flow kinda person. All I knew was that I wanted it to feel like it was an extension of my bedroom at my parents’ house. But if you were to press me against the wall about it, I’d probably say I wanted it to look like something out of Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou and The Royal Tenenbaums. Those films have a slightly down-on-his-luck aristo-bohemian thing I find strangely sexy. Of course, it’s still a work in progress.

Did you “decorate” it or just throw your things together?

I have an aversion to new things for the home as I find those soulless. Anyway, I am extremely fortunate that my family has roomfuls of orphaned furniture so I shopped mostly at my parents’ or at my grandmother’s. I took pieces they no longer used and gave them another shot at awesomeness by having them reupholstered, painted or upcycled. I turned to the now-defunct Domino magazine for inspiration, saved images from design blogs and kept my eyes peeled for interesting stuff I could cart home during my travels.

Worst thing about living on your own?

Bills, chores and obnoxious Balkan neighbors. Next, it’s a total nightmare when one of the elevators in your building decides to conk out the day you finally decide to shop for groceries. Last, I live in a rental so I can’t really tear down walls or do anything drastic to it. In this case, the worst thing is realizing you need a much bigger space  not only for yourself, but for the crap you’ve suddenly accumulated.

Miguel Azcuna

Why’d you move out?

I wanted to enjoy living on my own and taking care of myself.

Miguel Azcuna: Enjoying vacuuming the floor on very stormy days with Guns and Roses blaring out of my boombox.

Best thing about living on your own?

Vacuuming the floor on very stormy days with Guns and Roses blaring out of my boombox.

Look of your apartment?

Friends call it The Batcave. Wooden floors, very dark, but with illumination from my central aquarium at night.

Did you “decorate” it or just throw your things together?

I decorared it with a bulol. But it is more than just decoration. It’s supposed to absorb rays from the sun and bring good vibes into my bedroom.

Worst thing about living on your own?

I see bills every day.

Bonsai Fojas, Senior copywriter and milliner

Why’d you move out? 

My day job would sometimes require me to stay up till the wee hours of the morning. It was more practical and stress-free to live near where I work, than to travel far and brave through traffic on a daily basis.

Best things about living on your own? 

Being alone and responsible only for yourself. You call the shots. You can do whatever you want. Everything is just the way you like it. You get to decorate your place according to your style.

Look of your apartment? 

I think some people call it boho-chic. I have a few vintage pieces, artwork from my friends, my artwork and I also like a pop of color here and there.

Did you “decorate” it or just throw your things together?

I wouldn’t say decorate exactly, but I put things together myself. I surround myself with things that inspire me, things that I like and enjoy in my apartment. It’s the only place that I could completely relax in. It’s really my refuge. 

Worst thing about living on your own? 

I always get paranoid that someone could be following me home or someone has broken into my apartment.

Pauline Ortega: “In the weeks leading up to my moving out, I spent every spare second drawing and then redrawing every corner of my apartment-to-be.”

Paulina Ortega, TBWA art director

Why’d you move out? 

I moved out largely because my family stays in the south, I can’t drive and I started working in Makati. My job comes with pretty unpredictable hours and the whole setup became quite an inconvenience. Also, I got used to living away from my parents throughout college. So there was that clamoring for my own space again.

Best things about living on your own? 

The best thing about living on my own is  okay my parents might read this  but basically it’s what you would expect, you can pretty much do whatever you want, whenever you feel like it. Which has limitless merits. Also, I can dance around like a crazy person!

Look of your apartment? 

My apartment is very…floral. But that’s mostly just the long stretch of giant flowers on my wall. I guess in general it’s a place clearly lived in by someone who likes pretty things but can’t always manage the clutter. 

Did you “decorate” it or just throw your things together?

I decorated. Well, tried. I love drawing floor plans. In the weeks leading up to my moving out, I spent every spare second drawing and then redrawing every corner of my apartment-to-be. I also scoured my family’s house for furniture I could knick and refurbish. But of course, I am still not done following through with these plans. So because I started living there already, a little bit of putting things together came into play as well. 

Worst thing about living on your own? 

1.Cockroaches. And having to deal with them alone. 

2. Forgetting to check the mailbox for the bills. And, as a consequence, rushing to pay them.

3. Doing the dishes.

4. Scary movies can no longer happen unless you invite a friend over. 

5. Missing the family and a good home-cooked meal!