Last year my wife and I quit our jobs, sold our house, and moved from Colorado to Ohio. We are now living in the house that she grew up in, with her parents. We didn't want our kids growing up without really getting to know their grandparents. Life is actually better for my wife and I, our kids, and my in-laws in our multi generational household (ages 5 months to 82 years). My kids always have somone to: play with, read to them, watch them, talk to, teach them, love them, etc. We plan on buying a bigger house just down the street for all of us to live in.
As for the "making it on your own" thing, been there. I got my first real job when I was in Kindergarden. Later I mowed lawns, shined shoes, etc. In high school I started my own business. In college I loaned my parents money to buy a car and for the down payment on their house (now we're as poor as rocks). At age 29 I moved to Hawaii, out of the blue, and started all over. At age 30 I met my wife and we moved to Colorado, out of the blue, and started all over, together.
I think I'm done with starting all over...
eskimo