I find people's living situations interesting. A few of my friends are content to live alone, no matter how much it means they have to pinch their pennies and go without. I've always believed in shared living and don't really understand those who need to struggle to get by while living alone. Its so bizarre how in North America, there's this culture where kids rush to get out of their parents place by the time their 18- and in many cases choose low end, expensive apartments to occupy while they try to carve their way in the world. In other cultures several generations will live together, funneling money into their family homes.

I've always been comfortable around people, so when I was younger and renting, I decided to cut my costs by having a few extra bodies hanging around, and yeah I've had some annoying room mates- but they were nowhere near as bad as any of the 'horrible' room mate stories that become the stuff of living nightmares shared on internet blogs. Most of grievances were due to simply being just too darn lazy to clean up after themselves. They always paid rent on time, and we got along but the cleanliness was bordering on filth. Dishes kept in the sink for 4 days, never cleaning the stove, not wiping up a spill or never scrubbing the toilet. Vacuum the carpet? Why do that? Its just gonna get replaced when we move out.  

I'm glad those days are along over. I currently live in a place with my boyfriend, we have a mortgage and a spare room that we've been very lucky to rent out to some great people over the years. We currently have a smokin' hot room mate- and he's been a blessing in our little nerd nest. He's all testosterone, football and chicks- but contrary to the image of rowdy football fans slamming down beer on weeks and passing out on the couch, he's not piggish or lazy. We come together for meals, play videos games and have a laugh. His energy is infectious, he's always smiling! He's the perfect thing to come home to at the end of a long day-as he's usually fresh out of the gym and shirtless.  

We have this perfectly balanced living arrangement- sharing our mutual interests. He's also a motivator, so I've been able to get some projects done around the place. Its a great dynamic!

 

My Fiance and I just bought a house. We were living in a basement apartment together renting from an elderly couple who owned the house and lived upstairs but we just had a baby this summer. We saved for a year and bought the house   We move in February 1st.

I've never had a room mate. Just parents, siblings or girlfriend/fiance.

 

I lived with my parents off and on in my 20s. I'd move out, live with other people, hate it, then move back home. I could afford to live in less than desirable areas fine, but then my place would get broken into or some other shit would happen, so I'd end up moving back in with my parents. Now I live in a moderately expensive area in a decent apartment.

I'm currently socking away money to move out to the sticks. I hate city living. I'd much rather own a little bit of property out of the way in the middle of nowhere. Maybe even buy a couple of chickens.

 

I've never lived on my own due to my mental condition since my sophomore year of high school. I live with my dad who has arthritis and turning 79 this Wednesday. I help take care of him and vise-versa. I know my dad won't be around forever which is why the money I've saved from when I could work to find a place. The house I live in is rented

I could live with my mom but due to some family troubles, she has become a demonic control freak.

 

I lived with my parents until I was done with school and job education. When I graduated I was 24 and with 25 I moved out. Now I'm living for nearly 11 years in a 48m^2 flat. I hope that I can afford a bigger apartement some time. When I was young I thought, once I earn my own money, I can do ALL the things. But actually I could do more from my pocket money, than I can do now with my own earned money. I love to live alone. I need a lot of alone time to recharge. I like being around people. But It's also exhausting. I once lived with my best friend in my flat until she found her own, it was kind of cool and the first time I needed to adjust again that I'm alone. But actually it's much better. I can do whatever I want. When I want. Well, first I try to find a better job this year. One which pays off much better. Hopefully I can move to a bigger place then. I actually need a bigger living room and maybe an additional room where I can put my computer and do my work. Also I'd like a balcony.

 

I lived with my parents until I was 23. My girlfriend at the time, and I moved into a 2 bedroom apartment, 6 months after meeting. We got married in 2004 and after a few houses and apartments, we bought a small house in 2009. Now we have 2 girls and working to improve credit and finances to buy a new house eventually. Its really too small for us and causes issues.

 

I live with my parents (I'm 19) and plan to start moving out at 20. I try to work at my local Auto shop but online college is killing me.

 

I have a family in Vancouver who immigrated not too long ago and bought quite a huge house and are now renting to a younger couple.

My parents' house has a fully working basement to rent out. Two bedroom, kitchen, dining, bathroom, big living room. The wife and I took over that area after my dad died. When everything was okay for my mom, we moved out to a condo nearby. We bought a house not too long ago. I never lived alone before. My mom is with me now until she got tired of the long drive. I just want her to retire soon.

My in-laws are renting out their first house as well. This helped fund both houses.

 

I live in a tiny little apartment that is 1 room in a "white ghetto". There is a heroin problem in my apartment complex. No laundry rooms. I don't have a dishwasher either, the kitchen cabinets are gross and the doors fall off all the time. It's me, my husband and my baby living in here. We can't afford TV. The apartment was owned by someone who worshipped satan and cats as the writing inside the cabinets tells us that much. The door to the apartment has obviously been broken into once, the frame is all kinds of broken and tried to be repaired. We live on Long Island so we will never be able to afford anything better. There is an AC and the smell is awful when it's on. They (the ownership) said that in the last 30 years there is no records of our unit having it cleaned. I call every year to have it cleaned, they tell me they can't because they are done for the year or some BS.

 

Bad smell when the AC runs? Ask management to do a coil cleaning. That should take care of the problem. Unless there is something dead in the ducts.

I also think people's desire to move out is a cultural thing. My younger sister makes bank, but she still lives at home. Hell, I almost thought her boyfriend was going to move into my parent's house.

 

I moved out of parents' place at 20 for college, but had kind of a breakdown & lost my job/placement there so I had to move back at 23. Stayed & worked steadily for the next few years & just recently started renting a condo with a friend. So far I'm happy enough with it.

 

um I don't think you should be living there just saying

 

I've lived in some shitty areas myself. Sometimes it comes down to availability.

 

Early twenties and living at home. Of course as much as I'd love to move out and find my calling in life I'm kind of stuck. Can't find a job anywhere... And I'm dealing with depression.

 

Where should I be living? In my car?

 

Or as a smarter choice.

How a 30-something couple got rich and retired by not joining home ownership 'cult'

 

I rent an apartment with my girlfriend and my cat (the cat never pays her share of the rent though). We didn't plan on moving in together, but we both ended up needing a new roommate at about the same time and had no other offers.

 

My wife and I bought the house we are currently in before we had kids 8 years ago. It is sufficiently large for us and our two kids, but we are at the point where we would like a bit more space and we are both more established in our careers and student loans are paid down, so we should be able to upgrade significantly if we choose. We (my wife mostly) have been looking at homes but I'm not too keen to start the generally stressful process of home buying any time soon.

For some back story, I lived with my parents until I was 24 and finished college (undergrad and masters) which allowed me to save as much money as I could for a part time college student working at the university. I then moved out once I got a job and moved in with my, at the time, fiancee (who I am now married to). We rented a home for several years, as I hate apartment living. We saved and eventually bought the home I mentioned above.

 

I actually have a friend that did something similar. I'm the dumbass that lives in a 1600 1 bedroom with den apartment.

 

I'm 27, still live at home with my mom and grandmother. Mainly because I'm 5 years out of college and still haven't managed to find a job that's worthy making a career of (or more than 12.24/hr) and was trying to keep myself in a "drop everything and leave" position should I find something where I should have to move out of state.

Even though that particular thing hasn't happened yet, I'm seriously thinking of getting my own spot later this year, after I get a few financial obligations/goals reached.