Though many students dream of having their own place, just as many are terrified of the actual prospect of living alone.
Without a roommate, you become solely responsible for bills and chores. Not to mention there’s no one at home to talk to. What if you get lonely? And what if there’s an emergency? Will you be able to handle it on your own?
Yet, living alone is one of the most amazing adult experiences, and one you should all try at least once, in order to develop true independence, self-reliance, and a sense of accountability.
Are there any other benefits to living alone? Yes, there are. Check out College Mate’s ten reasons we think living alone is pretty damn awesome.
1. Peace of Mind
If you’ve lived with a roommate from hell, then you should know that there are many shady characters that can make having a roommate a terrible, and even terrifying experience.
Of course, there are also amazing roommates that are a joy to have, but by living alone, you never have to roll the dice to see which one you end up with.
2. Keep your Secrets
Ever walked out of the bathroom in your towel, only to realise your roommate had a friend over, who is now ogling every inch of your skin? The downside of having a roommate – especially if you share a bedroom or bathroom – is that your privacy goes right out the window.
When you have your own place, no one needs to know your every move, when you come and go, who you’re seeing, or any other aspect of your life that you want to keep to yourself.
3. No Distractions
Roommates can be highly distracting when there’s work to be done. For this reason, many college students often opt to study away from home, where they are guaranteed quiet time and less distractions.
However, when there are no roommates gushing over their new crush, or complaining about that terrible calculus class, it’s a lot easier to focus and get your studying and assignments done at home, and on time.
4. No Hounding Roommates for Rent Money
One of the worst roommates we warned you about last week, was the one who either refused to pay their full half of the bills, or who never had their rent money on time.
This can be frustrating, especially if the bills are in your name, and if your roommate is particularly skilled at hiding out when bills are due. When you’re the only one responsible for the bills, the only person in the way of getting them paid on time is you.
5. Be as Clean or Messy as you Like
The more people in a house, the less likely it is to be clean. Roommates often shirk their duties, expecting someone else to clean up the mess. Or, they may carry a chip on their shoulder about cleaning up shared spaces, because that means cleaning up after someone else.
This is easily fixed by sharing duties, but often times, especially when males are involved, this doesn’t work out in practice as well it does in theory. When you have your own place, the only person you have to clean up after is yourself. Likewise, if you prefer to be a slob, no one will get on your back about it now. It’s all on you.
6. Nothing out of Place
This may sound overrated, but when you experience it for yourself, you will understand the thrill of coming home to find everything exactly as you left it. You never have to hunt down a roommate to find out who moved the remote, or where the wok is so you can make some stir fry.
Neither is your favourite pair of shoes or dress mysteriously missing from the closet after being gone for a weekend; or your leftovers from the epic dinner you made the day before; or the money you stashed in the bedside table for next month’s rent…
7. Full Creative Freedom
As a teenager, you probably spent a lot of time experimenting with your look, and trying to figure out what worked for you. As an adult, especially a young adult, you may find yourself doing exactly that with your living space, which is now an extended representation of who you are, and what you like.
When there’s no roommate to compromise with about colors, furniture, and appliances, you can set up every square inch of your home exactly as you want it.
8. No Permission Needed
Aside from creativity, there are many other things you often need permission from your roommate for – at least, if you intend on keeping the peace.
When you live by yourself, you don’t need to consult with anyone else about family and friends visiting for extended periods of time, throwing a party, or playing music until 3AM.
You are accountable to no one. At home, you are King and Queen of your own castle.
9. Sleep in Undisturbed
Even when you don’t share a bedroom, if your roommate’s schedule doesn’t match yours, you can count on being woken up in the morning before your alarm clock, while they bang pots for breakfast, and open and shut cupboards.
When you live by yourself, unless you have the misfortune of thin walls and noisy neighbors, you can sleep in for as long as you like, and make no excuses for it.
10. Better Social Life
It’s easy to turn your roommate into your social crutch, whether you’re dating them, married to them, or just happen to live in the same apartment.
With no roommate to keep your company, you’ll be far more likely to expand your social circle, go out, meet new people, and have a good time, on your own terms, when you feel like it.
Have you ever lived on your own before? Share your experiences in the comments below!
About the Author
Alexis Chateau is the Founder of College Mate and Managing Director at Alexis Chateau PR. She is an activist, writer, and explorer. Follow her stories of trial and triumph at www.alexischateau.com.
COLLEGE MATE 
Reblogged this on Godigio and commented:
We got an honorable mention on College Mate. Thanks guys!
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Yes, I think it’s good to do at least once in your life. You end up learning more about yourself. I read and ran more.
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So sorry! WordPress had this locked away in spam all this time. And you’re right. People learn true independence by living alone.
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Stupid wordpress! It’s okay, that has happened to me before. In fact I think I’ll get check my spam folder now. . . .
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Yeah, it happened to me once before too. And you totally should. You would be surprised to see all of what’s in there.
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Ah. Living alone is such bliss. People truly don’t understand it, but then for some people they need that constant interaction or security or just… something living in the house.
That’s what a dog is for… or a plant. Hee hee! Living alone is just fantastic because everything is on your time, your schedule, and if you need a destresser or a wine night with friends, you don’t have to worry about checking with your roommates first to make sure it’s okay. There is just so much freedom that comes with living alone, which I don’t think I could really give up no matter how lonely I got. 
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I completely agree with you, especially where pets come in. If we need constant company, that’s the way to go. That’s why I never judge married couples who sleep in separate rooms, or choose to be next door neighbours haha.
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Haha! I’m not remotely close to being married but I’ve already wondered about sharing a bed with someone. I toss and turn a lot. :p
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Haha. I’m married. He’s still living out the last of his lease and I’m renovating my apartment. So technically, I’ve still never lived with a man either!
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Haha! It’s a challenge for all of us, but I do wonder if it’s a generational thing. I mean, I don’t think the Baby Boomers had this problem. :p
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They did. But back then the women had no choice in the matter, and the men had more benefits from our lack of rights. We made better house slaves back then, and knew having a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and the right to sleep with a man could only come from marriage and cohabitation. Sad, but true.
Now, women are marrying later and more couples are deciding not to marry at all. New age for sure.
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Oh! Heavens, I wasn’t even talking that far back. I was thinking more early-mid 1900s. Even in a time when women were able to work, live alone, go to school, there was still a concept that you lived together when you married. However, it was scandalous even at that time to live together before marriage. It makes you wonder what social effect caused all of this change. It seems to have only been within the last few decades that this shift has really taken hold.
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I did mean even the 1900s. It’s like being gay in 2016. Even though they have the rights to do certain things, society shames so much of them for it that why bother.
Unequal pay also made it very difficult for women to make a real living on their own, and the glass ceiling was even lower back then. By continually pushing against it, we’ve raised it quite a bit, but still not far enough.
People say things changed when women got and began to exercise their rights.
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Haha its so funny because I do all these things even with my new roommate around. She’s just so super chill about everything, its great! On top of that she adds some pros in too like when I do get sick there’s someone to help out. She’ll actually do my dishes for me sometimes no asking ever needed and she’ll pay her part of rent and utilities AHEAD of time on the fridge!
I guess after having a horrible roommate they threw me a bone and gave me an extra good one to make up for it huh? 😛
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Maybe they are. I’ve had good housemates and bad, but the best I’ve had is none at all. Without a shadow of a doubt. Glad you’re enjoying yours though.
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Its different for everyone I guess.
Thank you!
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I definitely agree with this. My first year on my own has been with my boyfriend, which is almost the same as living alone (except he’s kind of a mess..). It’s great not having the lack of privacy, or not having my creative freedom limited. When I asked my boyfriend how to decorate our house, it was usually a shrug or “I don’t care” in response…lol
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Haha, I understand that completely. I spent 10 years alone before moving in with my husband and I hated it 😂.
He was a neat freak as a bachelor, but when a man has a wife apparently they stop cleaning up, and stop trying to impress us. Who knows what goes through their heads sometimes, but I had to put my foot down early and stand my ground.
I suggest you find a peaceful way to do the same.
Good luck!
– Alex
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Thanks for the advice 🙂 Living with a man can definitely be full of surprises!
He’s pretty good at helping out after a year of living together.
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It’s good that he finally came around then 🙂
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I LOVED my one bedroom apartment! It truly was the best living situation of my life.
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Same for me in college. I had a studio apartment. *bliss*
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this is literally perfect.
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Thanks Elizabeth. What makes it so “perfect”?
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you described each reason extremely accurate
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Thank you. ^_^
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