Living alone vs sharing an apartment to save money
Recent graduates face a dilemma between paying more for the independence and peace of living alone or sharing accommodation to save aggressively and avoid debt. This conflict creates intense pressure because while sharing lowers housing costs, it forces people to tolerate living arrangements they are not enthusiastic about just to keep up with their peers.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Vetting flatmates beforehand or choosing shared flats with only one or two other people
- 2Living alone despite the higher cost to prioritize personal space and comfort
- 3Staying with friends temporarily
- 4Finding a roommate until debt is paid off
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’m a recent graduate, so part of me feels like this is exactly the stage of life when I should tolerate sharing, save aggressively, and avoid spending more than necessary on housing.”source ↗
“Sharing isn’t something I’m particularly enthusiastic about and I’d mainly be doing it to save more.”source ↗
“Almost everyone I know of my age or in my position is sharing accommodation, which makes me wonder if I am making a bad financial decision just because I prefer living alone.”source ↗
“I’m confused whether or not to share an apartment again with someone.”source ↗
“I’m not sure what to do. And also a fomo of when can I live alone if not now.”source ↗
“Do you value independence or being debt free?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5Can I afford to move out on my own?
- 5How do I find a place to stay that doesn't have hidden review issues?
- 2Dealing with weird or creepy roommates in cheap hostels
- 2How to handle finding a tenant who passed away alone
- 2Where should we stay on our wedding night?
- 6How to choose where to move to raise a family