Living on your own - what's it like?

TheVoice

TheVoice

TheVoice

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Glasgow
Hi all, looking for a bit of input here. I'm moving into a place by myself at the end of this month, and just wondering if anyone else here around my age (22) is in a similar position and can offer me an insight into what it's like?

I won't be moving out of home, I did that back in 2005 when I started Uni so I'm not completely useless by myself and I'm self-sufficient in terms of cooking, cleaning etc. I lived in Halls for a year, then lived with friends for my 2nd and 3rd years of uni. Graduated last year and moved into my current place with two of my previous housemates. We're all going our separate ways now though, so my next place will be just for myself.

Just wondering what it's like really, what the costs are like (as I'm used to sharing bills), whether you get lonely, that sort of thing. In a small way I'm looking forward to having my own place and doing things my way, but I also expect that I'll miss having anyone around to talk to, watch movies with, play games with etc.

Thanks. :)
 
I'd hate to live alone...but thats just who i am as a person. If i was working long hours then MAYBE i'd 'survive' but i would be very lonely and chatting to people all the time. As for bills, it will be more expensive as you are relying solely on your own income.

My experience of this is very limited but hope this helps. :o
 
High Wycombe eh? :D


Living on your own obviusly has its own positives and negatives.
Bottom line is, unless you have a good social life, living on your own could get a little lonely. Howeer, if you go out a few nights a week, you might prefer it.

However, it means that you won't get nagged to tidy up, you chose your own bedtimes ;), can wander round naked all day, and fap in all the rooms... if you want. If you want to get hope, skin up a big spliff and then cook a big meal, using all the pots and pans and then not do any washing up... you can :D

Bills are generally cheaper as you get to chose how much of each service you use. This means no more having to pay for housemates who spend an hour in the shower, compared to your 10 mins. As long as you keep your eyes on things ( dont leave taps running, turn lights off, etc) you will find it will not be too hard on your pocket.
 
Income is a bit of a worry for me, unfortunately I'm not working at the moment (perfect timing) and I'm a bit concerned that once I am working, my income will barely cover my outgoings. Fortunately my parents have said they can help me out whenever I need it, but I'll feel bad if it comes to that.

My social life has gone stagnant since finishing uni, most of my friends moved back home when uni finished and the few who are left are the two I'm living with (who are moving away), and my best friend who's going back to Portugal in a few weeks and isn't sure if she'll come back to the UK. Having not really worked much I've not been in a position to meet new people, which is why I'm quite concerned about just getting lonely and not seeing anyone. I'm sure I'll cope...I'm just not sure how well.
 
I've been living on my own for nearly two years. It's not that expensive since council tax and water are included in my bills. I get to do whatever I want and on my own schedule. Whether you get lonely or not is entirely down to your own personality. I never have.

Having said that I plan to move in with other people towards the end of this year, just for the sake of variety.
 
What sorta stuff you into? I have an awesome chap in High Wycombe. IT tech, balloon models, makes chain mail stuff and has one of the best sences of humour I have ever known.
Social lives do generally stagnate after uni.

"Fortunately my parents have said they can help me out whenever I need it, but I'll feel bad if it comes to that. " - Thats what parents are for. Just make sure you give to your kids what your parents gave to you.
 
TheVoice said:
Income is a bit of a worry for me, unfortunately I'm not working at the moment (perfect timing) and I'm a bit concerned that once I am working, my income will barely cover my outgoings.
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Well if you're not working then you're going to hit a brick wall pretty quickly with this idea. You need money:o
 
1 word, expensive!

Seriously though if you can cook from scratch, that's half the battle won! Shop around for your utilities etc and you won't go far wrong. The main thing is to be realistic with your budget.
 
It's more expensive than sharing, but you get a space that is entirely your own. I'm quite content.
 
I lived on my own.... it was amazing. take girls back at any hour, no problems or arguments with anyone. your house, your rules ;) :D and party when you want!
 
I lived on my own for nearly 2 years after finishing a long-term relationship. Had the option to go into another one straight after but chose to get some time on my own in order to understand what I want in life I guess. I believe it has made me hugely strong and independant and apprectiate things in life much more.

However, one down fall I found. I became really OCD with my place and now I am in a relationship, I'm finding that when things aren't tidied or put in place the way I like it, then I get stressed! :)
 
I lived on my own for a few years between 21 and 24. It's great but you end up going out a lot as it can get dull. The freedom to do as you please is very welcome!
 
Living on your own rocks. Sure there can be a few negatives, such as it can get fairly lonely/boring on your own; however on the whole it is ****ing awesome!!!

Total freedom, and often works out alright on the bills side of things, as another poster said, because you can control how much every service is used and when, instead of paying a set %age of the bill for you + however many others who probably don't use the services equally.
 
I love it. I bought a house last year and although originally I was going to let a friend rent a room, that fell through. It was a bit tough financially at first but I've since got a promotion at work and now everything is awesome.

It gets a little lonely sometimes, but fortunately most of my mates live about 5 minutes walk away so if I do fancy some company it's not a problem.

The absoloute best bit though is knowing that when you leave the house in the morning it will be exactly as you left it when you come back. No washing up on the side, clothes in the washer, mess everywhere, etc. That was the part I hated most about sharing with other people. Of course on the other hand if you're a bit of a filth wizard then there's no-one to clean up after you either... :p
 
I think the only downside to living on your own as already mentioned is the fact that you have to pay high bills unless you can share them with someone else.
 
Its mint, its great for not wearing many clothes if any lol throughout the flat, also all the food is urs and beer etc. :)

Bills are meh but managable.

Housework is the killer, got no one else to do it. :p
 
I live with one other, one of my closest friends since university began.

While we do potter around together, we don't really cook together or spend lots of free time in each other's company (both have boyfriends, both tend to be out of a given evening fairly often). Really, apart from the odd little bits of clutter she leaves around I may as well be living alone, but it's just as if I have a friend who comes over now and again.

She is a bit messy for me, so it couldn't be forever, but I can put up with it for a while until one or other of us moves out with said blokes. It does make it a fair bit cheaper just sharing with one other. Not as cheap as several people sharing the bills (economies of scale!), but then the last time I lived in a bigger shared house (5 of us) it quickly got old once we didn't feel like students any more.

She's on holiday this week. Ahhhh, peace :) However I do find random creaks and groans of the flat slightly more scary when I know it's only me in it!

Finally, find yourself some things to do in the evening. The word "hobby" sounds really naff, but a good hobby brings you friends, social circles, new people.
 
I adore living on my own, thought i'd hate it when I threw my cheating ex boyfriend out 4 and a bit years ago, but after about 2 weeks I loved it. I techincally dont live completely alone, have a random selection of pets.

Am dreading next month when I have to move back home with my parents due to being out of a job and having no choice, I know they are going to drive me nuts.
 
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