I share a house with strangers; Has Surpring Benefits, Few Downsides

AS A Single 30-Something in Vancouver (Where One-Bedroom Apartments Can Cost Upward of $ 2,000 a Mont), i’ve Lived with a Roommate Sine I Graduated from University in 2016.

But after spending eight years in the same two-bedroom apartment, Started to Feel isolated. I didn’t see my roommate often, and i usually workhed from home alone. SO, I DECIDE I WAS READY FOR A CHANGE AND STARTED SEARCHING FOR A NEW PLACE TO Call Home.

I found a room Through a Local Facebook Group that hasherything I was looking for – a good price, an Awesome Central Vancouver Location, and tons of cafés in the Neighborhood for with to work in.

The Only Catch? It came with five roommates.

Eight as an extrovert, this seamed like a lot, but i have mutual friends with some of the housemates, so it felt like a sae bet.

Knowing I Could Always Leave thanks to the Flexible Month-to-Month Lease, I took the Leap and Moved Into A Full of Strangers in August 2024. Sincer, i’ve been blown by the living has come with.

The Daily Interactions With My Roommates Have Helped My Mental Health

Most days, i like to sit at our kitchen table to work. Some of My Housemates ALSO WORK FROM HOME, SO THERE ARE MANY NATURAL POINTS OF CONNECTION THRAGHOUT THE DAY.

Lunchtime Sometimes Reminds with of the Office Break Room Where People Casually Connect, Chatting About Anoying Colleagues or what they’re Working on.

That’s though everyone is busy with their lives, there are usually a few of us at home in the evening and on Weekends, too. This isself to Easy, Low-Pressure Hangouts, Like Movie Nights, Kitchen Chats, or Spontaneous Outings.

AFTER FEELING ISOLATED FOR MANY YEARS Due to the Remote Nature of My Job, i Now Feel More Productive and Focussed Knowing there’s ALSAYS ARONE AROUND TO CAT. I Feel Like of Have a Built-in Community.

Living in a Shared House has Naturally Shifted with Toward Healthier Habits

In adding to improving my mental health, i’ve noticed how imported my Environment is for building a healthier lifestyle, too

For Example, Because of Don’t Want to Monopolysis The Common Living Space, I Only Watch TV when I’m with Others. IT’S BECOME A SHARED EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN A SOLO BINGE SESSION – Something I engaged in offten at my Last place – and less tv means for Other hobbies, like reading and baking.

I’m Also Moving More. Most of my housemates go to the gym or go bike riding often, and seeing their active lifestyles encurages with them.

I’ve noticed a decreese in how Much junk junk food i eat, nor my bedroom is on a different Floor from the kitchen (instead of a couple of steps like to be). Grabbing a late-night snack is just that much more inconvenient now, which helps with stay on track with healthy habits.

The best part of it all is that i have have had had to try to be done to the achieves – they are come as a bonus of changing my environment.

The Living Arrangement Isn’t Always Perfect, But Its Still Worth it

Of Course, Living with Five Other People is not with it Challenges. Mismatched Cleaning Expectations, Thin Walls that Don’t Block Noise, and Not Havinging Your Own Space Be Frustration. SOMESTEMES, I LONG FOR A PLACE I Can Make My Own.

I’ve Also Had to confront ingrained ideas of what I “Should” be doing at this stage in my life, as many of my friends are getting married or hasing families. Moving in with five housemates almost seamed like a step backward, Becausee, at the Very Least, shouldn’t i try to live on my own?

But i’ve Learned there is no universal “right” Path. And, for now, the mental and Physical health of the bras of this way outweigh any downsides.

I’m glad i listed to my intuition makeups here was the best decision of could’ve, and have no plans to leave anytime soon.