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Indeed, I had the barracks experience, but I had been in enough college dorms in my youth (friends, brother's, girls I was seeing back then, etc.) to know what they're like, and while that's fine for someone in their teens and early 20's it's really not appropriate for someone in their late 20's and beyond.
I was in the Air Force. I had more stuff stolen in the few years I lived in the dorm than I've had during the rest of my life. Clothes, a blanket, my ironing board, loaned money that was never repaid. Someone else in the dorm was stuck with a big phone bill after his roommate made international calls and then deserted.
I had a roommate whose family would call at all hours of the night; another would go out clubbing and then knock on the door late at night because she never took her keys.
At age 20, I felt like I'd outgrown the place and moved off-base.
Curious as to why the OP focused this thread on "Americans" not wanting roommates. I think that applies to every human on the planet...nobody wants to share their private living space with other people, it's only done out of absolute necessity because there's literally no other options for the common person, along with communal cultural differences. Maybe that's why there so many street people in third world/developing countries...they've had enough of being cooped up with other people in small quarters and prefer just crashing outside on their own.
We should consider ourselves lucky that we still have the ability in this country to live alone. Might not be where you want to live, but at least there's options.
From what I understand, a lot of young people are being basically supported by their parents - still - so most likely they don't have to consider that option.
Similar in my area.
And, generally speaking, a mortgage is cheaper than many apartments.
Plus upkeep and maintenance, improvements, yard work (and the tools/implements required for same), etc.? Never mind the "time is money" of taking care of these things?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RayHammer
One thing I've noticed though: The farther left someone trends on the political spectrum, the more likely they are to want communal (young, immature adult) living arrangements....or in some cases they want to force that arrangement onto others while enjoying their own elitist living arrangements.
Oh, I've found the opposite-- it seems to be the right-winger who are of the opinion that anyone who hasn't got the virtue of being rich, ought not to expect privacy or anything-- but, of course, that's not for them, as they can afford to live on their own.
1. I am an introvert
2. I grew up sharing a bedroom with three sisters (so I have never desired another female roommate since then)
3. I like my privacy
4. I don't like "drama", being forced to listen to music loud conversations, etc., etc.
And, yes, I have spent almost my entire 50+ years of adult life with a husband, but we were/are very compatible in our tastes and lifestyle and had the same goals.
Plus upkeep and maintenance, improvements, yard work (and the tools/implements required for same), etc.? Never mind the "time is money" of taking care of these things?
From what I understand, a lot of young people are being basically supported by their parents - still - so most likely they don't have to consider that option.
It doesn't help when these roommate situations now cost $800-1500 per room in areas with jobs. If you can live at home and save for a downpayment or to pay down student loans quickly, all the better for family wealth.
If I wanted to buy in my current neighborhood (suburban, not walkable, not great school system), I'd need to pay $4000-5000 in PITI for a 2 bedroom condo with 20% (more than 6 figures) down. Even though I lived with roommates for way longer than I needed to in order to save aggressively, nothing matches being able to live rent-free with family.
I grew up as an only child mostly in fairly large homes. I always had semi-separate living space - I spent a lot of time gaming in the basement, my parents mostly stayed upstairs.
I'm very neat, and it's hard to find people as neat as I am. I used to keep odd hours. These days, I always have something new and interesting going on in the kitchen. I drink a lot. I like music reasonably loud.
I'm social in the sense that I like to go out to bars and nightlife once a week or so, but do not like people in my personal space.
This is nothing new. Been this way forever basically. Once I left college, no more roommates for me. In fact, the only people I knew at the time who had roommates were ones trying to live well above their means. IE early 20s wanting to live on the beachfront in LA. Single person couldn't do it. But 3 or 4 together could afford to rent a three- or four-bedroom place on the beach in LA. At least back then. I have no idea what it is today.
Roommates make great comedy TV such as Three's Company or Big Bang Theory. But reality is far different. In the real world, Leonard would have strangled Sheldon by the end of the first week.
I sincerely don't understand what the origin of this cultural coliving-phobia is.
My parents raised me to be independent and I can afford to live alone.
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