The housing market remains unforgiving to young people, with the rising cost of rent turning moving out from parents into a luxury few can afford. Many young adults cannot cover the cost of a flat while also managing other essential expenses. A recently published video poll featured two teenage girls being asked at what age a "real man" should leave the family home, and their responses left many internet users stunned.

In recent years, the cost of renting a flat in Poland has risen sharply, driven by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While prices are gradually stabilising, they remain high, making it difficult for many to afford rent, let alone consider buying property.

In 2024, the average rental price of a flat in Poland has seen a slight decline compared to the previous year. According to Otodom Analytics, the average rental cost in provincial cities in February was just over PLN 3,500—a 0.5 per cent drop from January 2023. However, these prices remain out of reach for many young people.

Wujekrada_streetwear, a popular TikToker, is known for creating content centred around fashion news. He also runs a series of street polls, posing challenging questions to young people. In a recent video, he asked two teenage girls: "At what age should a 'real man' move out of his parents’ home?" One of the girls responded that the ideal age to live independently is between 17 and 20. Her answer shocked many internet users, sparking a wave of reactions.

Comments flooded in, with one user exclaiming: "17?! And what, am I supposed to support myself without a job while still attending school?" Another remarked, "The girl in the video is probably no older than 19, and I bet her mother supports her." Others shared similar frustrations: "Good luck trying to have PLN 300k in your bank account to buy a flat at 17 or 18," and, "I’m 18, the only place I can move to is the dog kennel. I’ve saved up PLN 15k for a flat, and my parents are offering another 50k. Is that enough?"