Whether you’re leaving your parents’ home for the first time or moving to a brand new city later in life, moving house can be an exciting time. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make when searching for a new place to live is between living on your own and living with roommates. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options, and the right choice for you will depend on your personality, preferences, and specific life circumstances. To help you decide, here’s a quick rundown of some of the main pros and cons of living in a shared house.
The advantages of living with roommates
One of the most obvious benefits of living with other people is financial. You’ll be splitting the cost of rent, utilities, and household necessities such as cleaning supplies between all of you, which usually results in a lower individual cost than if you live alone (although this might depend on your roommates’ showering habits!). This can open up the chance for you to live in a nicer area or bigger house too.
Another big benefit of living with roommates is the social aspect of a shared house. You’ve always got friends around if you want to do something fun, whether that’s staying in and binging Netflix together or going out on the town. Likewise, if you need a hand with something or you’re going through a hard time, you’ve always got people around to help you out or cheer you up. This can be especially helpful if you’re moving to a new city where you don’t know anyone because you have an easy way to make your first new friends.
Lastly, these days finding a room in a shared flat or house can be quicker and easier than finding your own place thanks to services such as roomclub.com. You can search online for rooms within your budget and in your desired location and be moving in before you know it!
The disadvantages of living with roommates
Of course, sharing a house with other people isn’t all sunshine and roses – especially if you’re planning to move in with strangers. For instance, if it turns out that you and one of your new roommates don’t get along, this can lead to an uncomfortable and awkward living situation. Likewise, living with messy or irresponsible roommates can be more stressful than the money savings are worth. To avoid this, try to meet people in person for a chat before you move in with them and see if you feel like you could become friends.
The other factor to bear in mind is privacy. Living with other people automatically means you have less time to yourself and less personal space. Although you will have your own room, the kitchen, bathroom, and living room will all be shared with others. Some people enjoy the experience of cooking together and hanging out with each other in the evening; however, if you’re more of an introvert and prefer solitude, then the experience of living with roommates might be uncomfortable for you.