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Living alone vs the alternative

Tesco Massacre

Kind of an interesting piece on the increasing numbers of people who are choosing to live alone:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/mar/30/the-rise-of-solo-living

I've both lived with people and alone (admittedly only for a short period) and I can see the attraction and downsides of both. I enjoyed living on my own for a few months last year, but I found it lonely after a spell...I can't see myself making a habit of it anyway.

What do the lovely people of AH think? Do you live with someone, but would prefer to be alone? Does the thought of being on your own long-term cause you untold psychic distress? Or do you live alone, like your own space and would like to keep it that way? Would you like me to stop asking personal questions?

Anyway, what say you?

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OneArt

I feel like I live alone! I have one housemate but we hardly see much of each other (although I do hear him constantly hacking up phlegm, I'm worried he's going to drop dead and then I'll have to pay the full rent). Basically we have completely different schedules and I work at home so I'm alone most of the time.

Friend of mine's moving to Dusseldorf soon though, and she's leaving me her apartment. Dirt cheap studio flat with a balcony. Ironically I'll probably be seeing people more because one of my other good friends lives in the same building, but it will be nice to have my own place and if I don't want anyone to bother me I can just pretend I'm not home.

I really miss living with friends. Spent two years in Dublin doing it and when I first came to Germany I crashed with another guy I knew for a few weeks. I never want to live with strangers again though. Either friends or on my own.

I can't wait until I can walk around the place naked though...

Tesco Massacre

Immaculate Pasta wrote: »

I think living on your own arguably makes you socialise more because you have to make more of an effort. (Alternatively you could become a hermit but I'd want to avoid that if I can!) I have a relation who has a flat in London and just comes and goes as she pleases and say she's barely in. She's out at work then always off socialising in the evening. That's the life I'd like to experience for a bit. I can get a place. Make the place my own. Decorate, furnish it however I like. Being fully independent so to speak. :cool:

That's a good point actually.

You do have to put yourself out a bit more if you're on your own and don't have friends close by. But it's a good thing in many ways.

paddyandy

I seem to need a certain amount of contact with people and i wonder why ? An emptiness ...that's in all humanity .A man said years ago that he did'nt mind being alone as long as he had a good book to read......that's not truly being 'alone' i think .Simulated presences .

holystungun9

chin_grin wrote: »

You **** your family?

Typical crude AH response. :mad:

We make love. :pac:

Latchy

There is a big difference between been alone and been lonely and while I don't live alone and haven't done so for many years ,I also like having time and space to myself ,as opposed to having somebody around 24/7 and can easy shut myself off for a few days ( if the mood takes) but with family and friends ,one is never alone so it's all about getting the balance right for me .

Sephiroth_dude

When I can Afford to move,I'll definitely be living on my own

Dudess

One other person, who's independent, is the ideal IMO. I wouldn't like there to be nobody there at all ever, but I like it a lot of the time.

kowloon

My housemates all cleared out one year for the Easter holidays (Student town).
I had no reason to leave the house as I had work to catch up on and there was nobody left in town. Didn't like it one bit.
Even when all our annoying habits clash, I still prefer having people in the house.

Gummy Panda

Kiera wrote: »

I live alone and love it. I've shared with some complete weirdos and would never rent a room out for fear I'd get another.

Are you sure they didn't think you were the mad one?

boomtown123

I would prefer to live alone! My housemates are horrible

44leto

Its alright I have my 24 cats and 10 dogs to keep me company.

Latchy

By the wai...decomposed bodies don't count as company :pac:

/retch... opens window for some fresh air

Born to Die

Latchy wrote: »

By the wai...decomposed bodies don't count as company :pac:

/retch... opens window for some fresh air

I have a feeling you are not joking.

/calls Gardaí

44leto

Latchy wrote: »

By the wai...decomposed bodies don't count as company :pac:

/retch... opens window for some fresh air

How about my friend that are handcuffed and locked in the basement.

Dudess

gurramok wrote: »

Here's the real fact of living on your own.

You need your own privacy at times(yes) but having that day in day out without any friends or family visiting can damage you long term. Think of it like an elderly person whose only visit is home help once a week or talking to the cat or dog on a regular basis, you'd crack up.

That's not "the real fact of living on your own" - it's only the case if you can't leave your home and nobody visits you. What about those who are living alone and head off to meet people/have people visit them in the evenings/at weekends?

amacachi wrote: »

I'd only be worried about living alone when pushing 50.

Why that age?

Jacster wrote: »

Living abroad and dont really know many people. Girlfirend and I moved in together but it didnt work out. Splitting up and shes moving out in a few weeks leaving me living alone in the gaff.
First of all paying double rent will be an absolute slayer.
Secondly and certaintly worse, living alone in a foreign place will be rough.
Think ill take a hit, break the contract and move bank into shared accomodation.
Its better to whinge about housemates and have something to talk about than staring at four walls wondering how the hell youd ended up here.

Aw that sucks - certainly crappy circumstances can affect your perspective on something like living arrangements. Yeah, go for it - find a house-share. Good luck!

Born to Die

44leto wrote: »

How about my friend that are handcuffed and locked in the basement.

Fcuk all these calls

/ emails thread link to Garda HQ

Latchy

Born to Die wrote: »

I have a feeling you are not joking.

/calls Gardaí

Well if they are looking for an old woman who died ... er ..peacfully in her sleep , they won't find her here .

/sprays last of arosol can around room

44leto wrote: »

How about my friend that are handcuffed and locked in the basement.

If they are smokers then sorry ... No

Dudess

44leto wrote: »

How about my friend that are handcuffed and locked in the basement.

The one you make rub in the lotion?

Princess Peach

I live with housemates but we're not really friends and we never hang out together and all just stay to ourselves so its kinda like living alone except when they are loud or hogging the bathroom/kitchen/washing machine. Def the cheapest option though!

Would prefer to live alone or with housemates I was friends with.

Elvis_Presley

They say a picture says a thousand words. I'll let you guess what my answer to this question is.

Third one says it all. I cleaned everywhere about 4 days ago.

holystungun9

44leto wrote: »

How about my friend that are handcuffed and locked in the basement.

Hope you have better luck with the cops that I did. They wouldn't accept my definition of friendship. Oh well, I have others.

Born to Die

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

They say a picture says a thousand words. I'll let you guess what my answer to this question is.

Third one says it all. I cleaned everywhere about 4 days ago.

As tough as it can be at times with the mortgage, this is why I am glad I bought a house.

Raminahobbin

I have never lived with friends or a random collection of housemates, but I have lived with my ex and am currently living alone for over a year. I absolutely LOVE it! Maybe it's just in contrast to living in the same house as someone when it's a toxic relationship, but I love the peace I have now.

I love coming home to a house that is exactly how I left it, no messes or horrible surprises when I walk through the door. I love that, as a vegetarian, nothing in my kitchen has touched meat and I don't have to feel my stomach turn every time I open the fridge. I love that I can do what I want, when I want, without answering to anyone. I control everything in my house, and I don't have to compromise this

As I said, maybe I'm just contrasting things too strongly to what it's like in a bad relationship, and my experiences might not be half as bad if I lived with someone where things run smoothly, but I've just had an awful time of it and there's no way in hell I'd be back living with someone again in a hurry!

Princess Peach

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

They say a picture says a thousand words. I'll let you guess what my answer to this question is.

Third one says it all. I cleaned everywhere about 4 days ago.

They really don't seem that bad to me

Seen faaaaaar worse I have!

Elvis_Presley

Princess Peach wrote: »

They really don't seem that bad to me Seen faaaaaar worse I have!

I wish it was possible to post smells.

Princess Peach

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

I wish it was possible to post smells.

I am so glad that is not possible in After Hours.

44leto

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

They say a picture says a thousand words. I'll let you guess what my answer to this question is.

Third one says it all. I cleaned everywhere about 4 days ago.

I am actually very comfortable with disorder and untidiness even some dirt. The cops would never mistake me for a serial killer, perhaps they may get suspicious if they met my friend who like to be chained in the basement.

Elvis_Presley

44leto wrote: »

I am actually very comfortable with disorder and untidiness even some dirt. The cops would never mistake me for a serial killer, perhaps they may get suspicious if they met my friend who like to be chained in the basement.

So you're a serial killer? How much for 3 flatmates?

Dudess

Princess Peach wrote: »

They really don't seem that bad to me Seen faaaaaar worse I have!

Yeah, same here. And I'm always cleaning/tidying. Looks like quite a nice gaff actually, if in need of a shine-up. Looks like it would be pretty easy to have it looking lovely - just a good clean would be sufficient. But I suppose not so easy to do this when you're living with lazy-arses, and as the poster says, the smell... :-/

44leto

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

So you're a serial killer? How much for 3 flatmates?

LOL

For the disrespect of their bikes a cup of tea.