Additional Coverage:
- I’m 33 and I have 4 roommates. The rent fits my budget and I love the company, but sometimes I’d prefer to live alone. (businessinsider.com)
The Joys and Frustrations of Co-living in Your 30s
Living with four roommates in a five-bedroom house in Denver definitely has its ups and downs. Some mornings, the race for the bathroom ends with me trekking down to the spider-infested basement half-bath, muttering about the pitfalls of communal living. It’s in those moments I question my life choices.
This wasn’t exactly a planned living arrangement. A series of life events – pandemic, relationship, breakup – landed me here, almost by accident. It wasn’t a conscious decision so much as sliding down a waterfall and landing in a reasonably priced room.
While my 33-year-old self envisioned backpacking through Europe, map and baguette in hand (okay, maybe espresso and smartphone), the reality is sometimes I crave the comforts of home. Travel can be tiring and lonely, and after a few weeks on the road, I long for my bed, familiar food, and my guitar.
There are perks to this chaotic household. We’re all friends, which makes for built-in company and shared meals.
We’re all in our 30s and relatively responsible about chores. Our landlord is also a friend, which means the rent is reasonable – a huge plus for a freelance writer with unpredictable income.
This arrangement allows me the financial freedom to travel extensively, something I deeply value. It’s not the white-picket-fence life, but that was never my dream anyway.
Of course, there are downsides. The bathroom battles, the parking spot competition, and the fridge wars after a grocery haul are all real struggles. Sometimes, the urge for peace and personal space makes me consider paying double the rent just to live alone.
But more often than not, the inconveniences are outweighed by the benefits. The camaraderie, the laughter, and the sense of community make this unconventional living situation worthwhile. And for now, that’s reason enough to stay.