What age is the right age for "settling down"?

Question

Some people start to think about having kids, getting married, buying a house, settling into a way of life in their early twenties and get accused of being too young, of not making the most of their youth. Others are still single, living in rented flats, temping jobs, travelling well into their thirties and forties and often get attacked by parents, friends and exasperated partners for "not growing up and being responsible."
So do you think "settling down" is something we should all do at some point?
At what age should you start thinking about it?
Do you think less of people of a certain age who won't commit to a relationship or job or way of life, or do you admire them for going against the grain? Are they just irresponsible and immature?
What do we mean by "settling down" anyway?

Answer 1

People judge other people by what they themselves would do. I am 34, never been married, have no boyfriend, no intention of having kids (the "Biological Clock" does not tick) and to some people I am a spinster - to others I am independent. I am happy as I am, but open to the prospect of a relationship and maybe even marriage. I don't feel immature or a failure as a woman. Do we have to "settle down" when we are in a relationship? This implies that we have to become someone else in order to be accepted - perhaps the reason so many marriages fail is this facade that people put up. Be yourself and be loved for that - it's so much more rewarding.

D.
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Answer 2

well i even thought about settling down at Just 16 when i were with this Girl, we were together for just over a year at the time.. As time went on though we realised our differences and didn't connect with certain things. At first though i thought it was nothing but it Kept happening over and over again. So i finished that in the end, not long after i was with another girl but that only lasted a mear 2 months.. same reason.. had some differences.. The person i am with now i am happy with. she's always up for going out and up for new things which is what i thought lacked when i were with other people.. doing the same old stuff.. so at the moment i think i can say ''we'll see where this one takes me'' because i am happy at the moment.. at just 17 aswell :D hehe.

Answer 3

I suppose it all depends on the person, their upbringing and their circumstances ?, when i was young all i wanted was a steady relationship and a family of my own, i worked from leaving school and enjoyed life to the full before meeting the mother of my children at the age of 21.

My daughter went down the same lines as me, but my son does not think that way and at the moment is quite happy just hanging out with his mates.

Answer 4

I think that this is your journey, your path, and it is sacred. Please just live thoughtfully, observe it all very closely, and share with us what you find. We don't all live the same type of life, but it helps us all to see a bit more when we can know what other paths hold. It may be very responsible for a person who knows they aren't ready to refuse to settle down. And maybe settling down for one is setting up house and kids, while settling down for another is getting on with exploration of the unknown. Grandma is wise, but even she has a limited point of view, based upon her experience and inclination. One valuable thing about the new ones are yet unimagined possibilities.

Answer 5

For women it is 31. I need to have fun after graduation. Settling down right away takes the fun out of life.

Answer 6

Well, i'm in my mid 50s and have only just settled down in one place although i plan to return to the county of my birth when i retire, so maybe i haven't yet.

Answer 7

I am 23 my wife is 22 and we settled down and are very happy!

Answer 8

about 35 men 29 woman I think

Answer 9

theres no set age you'll know when youre ready