Yes, I get emotional about this topic because I am one of 4 girls with no brothers. If someone told me apne maan baap ko bhool jao…mein sabse pehle use bhula dungi.
The free baby-stting part was sarcasm and a joke. Most of the time, they can guide you and help you become better people. Yes. Lekin, I dont see any issues with living separately either. If my husband and I live across the street even, it gives me some privacy so we can at least fight sukoon se (as ironic as that might sound). What if I want to cook for just the two of us one day? Husband and wife I believe should live alone for a little while so they can sort out their differences, if any.
As far as bad inlaws and bad parents. Well, if I was living with the bad inlaws…Im sure the husband would say “bardasht karo, vo mere maa baap hein, they raised me, etc.” Mein kya asmaan se tapki thi? 
Sure, there are bad parents too lekin we dont walk away from them do we? If I started a thread on how horrible my MIL is, I would get 50+ responses saying “nahinnnnnnnnnnnnnnn…do sabr” because she is his mother and she is old and etc. So, what about my mama? She isnt old? If she is mean, I should leave her?