[quote=flyer]It is interesting to note that, although neither my wife and I, nor any of the parents of our kids friends considered ourselves to be “tiger parents,” and yet, all of our kids excelled at everything from school, to sports, to music, etc. and on and on, and yet the success rate of these same young people (now in their 20’s) is still only about 50%.

Although they came from quite well-to-do families, we still hear many of our kids friends complaining about the fact that they can’t find high-level jobs here, and will never be able to afford a home in San Diego, or CA in general, (for those who wish to stay here)so it seems some of them have kind of given up. A sad, but fascinating conundrum.[/quote]

flyer, I think the reason a lot of “20-somethings” and even those a little older (even though “educated”), state that they can’t find “high level jobs in SD” and they’ll “never be able to buy a house in SD” is due to their “expectations” about both that previous generations did not have.

Perhaps they’re not willing to take positions they feel are “beneath them” in order to move up within an organization. Perhaps they’re not willing to “settle” for a house (buy OR rent) in an area they can actually afford. I’m sure it must be doubly hard for kids who grew up in or near RSF to “manage their housing expectations.” Of course, after “having it all in SD Co,” these kids wouldn’t want to relocate (out of state or to the SF Bay area, perhaps?) to get a better-paying job. Every locale they visit (for housing OR a job) will seem inferior to where they grew up.

With very privileged kids, there’s no “hunger” there for a better life … nothing really to “aspire to” which would rival the life they had while growing up. You were fortunate to be able to instill a good work ethic in your kids in spite of their “privileged” upbringing, flyer.

I think some parents (of ALL walks of life) make it easy for their adult children to just postpone all big life decisions (FT job/place to live, etc) because their door is always open. Thus, their kids are repeatedly bouncing “back home” with parent(s) and instead of saving money while there, they buy new vehicles (with payments) and new “gadgets.” 3++ years later, they are still living in their childhood home and are very comfortable.

My kids aren’t perfect but they are very realistic and “street smart.” I see them buying a building with 2-3 flats (likely in SF) in the coming 1-2 yrs. They have plans to gut (if needed) and fix up 1-2 of the units to rent out and live in the best unit themselves, while collecting rent.