the friend I have is in a similar place although I have not known him very long, it's small things I have caught on to when he talks about things. He is 42 and lives with his parents. they are elderly and disabled (mom has alz, dad is stroke survivor and wheelchair bound)...he had a 14 year relationship that began in his college years but didn't end up going anywhere and she moved away eventually. he's been dating off and on since then, the last 5 years or so. He also didn't finish his college degree until he was 38, and started a new career in law enforcement at 40. I don't know if he ever moved out of his parent's home during that time but he has told me of plans he has for the house when the parents pass away. Remodeling and such. Granted, it's in a very expensive part of the country and there is no way he would be able to afford to buy a home there now with the income he earns.
He does not praise them though, in fact has said that mom was a b!tch when he was growing up and now with alz doesn't remember being one. He has an older brother in another state that is estranged from the family. So. I don't know a lot about the dynamic but I don't see my friend ever moving from his family home, he's just waiting to claim it for his own.
Oh and because they are elderly and disabled, he doesn't stay overnight with me either, our time together is not as long or frequent as I would like.
It's a good thing I don't have any intention of getting married again either and certainly I don't see anything like that with him. I'm just trying to enjoy his company on those occasions that we get together and not putting all my eggs in this one basket as far as a long term love relationship.