Shared house or get my own place?

LegacyUser

Hi,
Sorry if this isnt the worst personal issue ever but I'll just ask and home some people might share.

I need to get a new place in about 2 months but I can't decide what to do.
I have been living in house shares for a number of years now and its a mixed bag really. I just find that it never really feels like home, you're always aware of not upsetting others around the house making noise or being in the way or not being clean enough... everyone just has their own levels... some are super neat freaks, others total slobs who don't pick up their fair share. I've lived with a bunch of different people in that time and everyone is different, everyone has their own ways, etc...

In the end its just a compromise really. I'm not really the sort to expect to be best friends with someone I move in with. I like to do my own thing and have my own time a lot. If it happens, great, but if we don't click thats fine, we still get along, we just don't have to hang out every free minute. Like one particular room-mate mate the usual comment of me spending too much time in my room but in all honesty I thought I was just leaving them too it as I could never get near the TV or living room with them and we didnt have the same tastes I just watched my own programs in my room thinking I was doing them a favour not being fussy, but you can't win.

Other room mates have been fine though.

Anyway, that's one option, the other is to get my own place.
All I could get really is a small studio or 1 bed type setup. I don't know really if I'll end up being relieved of the place just being "mine" and not really worrying about anyone else being around or will I actually feel lonely. The thing is the cost of rent is the thing. My own place will put me at my maximum, but I get my own small space. Sharing would save me money and mean I might be able to fly home in the summer more easily or something, but it'll really just feel like I'm moving into someone elses home and at some point it feels like I just need to get away from "studenty" living, I'm 27 and working for some time.

Anyway, was just wondering if anyone would like to share their experiences of sharing or getting their first place and what they think of it all. Many thanks!

Ickle Magoo

This is an advice forum, rather than shared experience and discussion forum - so expect advice on how you can deal with your personal issue.

If you haven't already done so, please take the time to read the [URL=" http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056181484"]forum rules[/URL] in the charter.

Many thanks.

ananas

I think you've answered your own question really. I've lived in both shared accommodation and in a bed sit style flat and to be honest, I preferred living in my bedsit the best! As long as you have friends that you can call and visit and it doesn't mean that you live like a hermit crab, I'd say the best would be to go it alone for a short while and see whether you like it or not.

LegacyUser

I live on my own but am lucky as I have loads of space.

I've found that living with one other person is the best "share" option. It means you know when they're away for the weekend, out for an evening that you have the place to oneself.

And try not to move in with an owner occupier - if you move in with another renter there's more of a chance that they won't be there all the time and will go "home" for weekends.

Firetrap

It's a toughie. I suspect that quite a lot of people who house share do so for financial reasons, not because they like the lifestyle. You sound like you're tailor made for living on your own. What you also mentioned though was the financial hit. Will it stop you living as good a lifestyle? Will it mean you can't fly home so often? Is there anything else in your life you can cut back on in order to continue to get home?

I forgot to add that I moved into a place of my own and loved it. I was house sharing but had more or less taken to living in my room anyway. Not that I didn't dislike my house mates or anything but you get to a stage of life where you just want your own space. It is more expensive, yes, but there are times when the premium is worth it.

nicechick!

For me personally I love living on my own I enjoy the freedom of just doing what I want when I want in my own space I can manage costs no bickering over bills, noise etc and can have company over with no intrusion

It really comes down to you personally good luck

Glornafarraige

my advice would be, take time to hunt down a really nice place to live, with people who are more like yourself. If you prefer people who keep to themselves then go for that type of house share. Maybe get to know the ppl you're mving in with before you do.
if you ccan afford the one bed roomed place , well maybe thats a good idea instead.

hi op, i lived with literally hundreds of people over the years and finally when i was 34 years old, i got my own place.

i never thought twice about it, thought id love it. however, after a few months, i couldnt believe that i felt lonely!!
just a little bit though, was weird.

if you are the type of person who has a good social life, makes an effort to get out, meet friends etc. i reckon you will love it!!

it took me a while to get used to it, but it is great!!!

baby and crumble

OP I am pretty similar to you, lived in houseshares for years with usually ok results, but then the best places i lived i actually lived with my best friend, so it was great, we had no qualms about hanging out on our own or telling the other we needed a bit of space. I moved into a crappy bedsit a few years ago and I hated it. There just wasn't enough space for me. I went back to houseshares but a few months ago I examined my finances and decided that the hit for getting myself a 1 bed flat was worth it, for knowing I would be the only one there, and being able to watch what I want, when i want, and all that.

I love it. It's been 3 months now and I know I couldn't go back to sharing. I think too there does come a certain point where you get a bit 'old' for that kind of shared house, people coming and going, not really knowing who might be in the kitchen the next morning kind of living.

What surprised me when i was looking for places was how cheap 1 beds have become. If you're open to living in a few different locations, you should be able to find something in budget, not that much more expensive than a house share. Yes, your bills won't be split anymore, but at least you know you're paying for just your use of electricity or what have you. it used to drive me mad going half on a bill when I knew my flatmates left laptops constantly charging and lights on all over the place, boiling kettles every 5 minutes!