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Post by trixiecat on Apr 28, 2022 14:41:48 GMT
From graduating college at 21 until I got married at 33.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 28, 2022 14:58:47 GMT
I had an apartment by myself for the two years I attended graduate school.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,677
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Apr 28, 2022 15:07:17 GMT
I was 21 and it was a glorious time. I loved living alone. No one to answer to and I enjoyed the quiet.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 28, 2022 15:14:31 GMT
I have never lived alone. I stayed with my parents until I moved in with my boyfriend who became my Dh. Not that I would change anything but looking at it objectively I do think it’s a good idea to live alone at a reasonably young age. This is me, too. I lived with my mom until I was 19 then moved in with BF when we got engaged. Moved back home with mom for two months between the end of our lease and the closing on our house which was right before our wedding when I was 21. I have never lived alone. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, it just never worked out that way for me.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Apr 28, 2022 15:14:47 GMT
I will be 59 in June, and I have never lived alone. I went straight from my parents to college then marriage. For one semester, between when I graduated and got married, I had a roommate. I will soon be living by myself, and it's a bit scary, but also exciting to think about. I am keeping a running list of things I am looking forward to in my next phase of life.
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Post by ntsf on Apr 28, 2022 15:16:53 GMT
I lived alone during some of my college years. I lived the life of a nomad for some of those years too (one year I lived in 3 places every week--two nights at parents, 3 nights as a roommate at a big house near ski area, 2 nights at communal lodge at ski area). I did an internship and extended it into a job and lived alone where I really didn't know anyone for a couple of years.
I do fine alone or with dh. I always have projects
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Post by aprilfay21 on Apr 28, 2022 15:18:10 GMT
I'm about to be 40 (for reference.) I moved out right after I turned 18, and I lived alone from 18 to 28, when I moved in with DSO. Now I live in chaos.
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Post by ~summer~ on Apr 28, 2022 15:18:48 GMT
I had my own apartment and lived alone for a while when I was like 23. It was a super cute, sunny apartment in a great neighborhood walking distance to shops and restaurants. There was even a perfect upscale market on the corner where I would grab sushi for dinner. Honestly with my kids almost all gone I would love to live there now!
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 28, 2022 15:31:28 GMT
I lived with roommates starting at the age of 19 turning 20. Up to then with parents. Then around 22 my roommate moved out (in the middle of the night thing) and I lived alone for probably 6-8 months? Something like that. I met my now husband and we moved in together when I was 23ish... I still have one 13 year old at home. My 26 year old is living with us after being gone for 7 years (military). And DH is a truck driver so he is only home about every six weeks or so (for a week at a time). I love being by myself so those days are still pretty far away except for the few times when they are out doing other things. Although DS and DD spend their times in their bedrooms I am quite by myself a lot.
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Post by malibou on Apr 28, 2022 15:34:44 GMT
While in the Army in Germany at 20, I had my own apartment for about a year. I spent the rest of my twenties in school with various roommates until Dh and I got married just before I turned 30.
I think it would be harder at this age to live alone in a new place as I don't find it as easy to make friends as I did when I was young. I think I would look into to joining a club of some kind to meet like minded people. And I would also look for something new to me to try out. I've been wanting to learn pickleball.
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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 28, 2022 15:38:04 GMT
I thrive on my own. I lived on my own and w/a roommate. Though I was always more comfortable living alone. I've been w/dh for almost 40 years. So, it's been a long time. As much as I loved living alone, my happiest times are those when my boys are home and we're all together. Then again, I need my solitary time. It's a necessity for my emotional health.
Enjoy your time. If this works well for you then continue doing what you're doing. Make friends w/people who have similar interests and decorate your apartment in your style.
How is your dh? Did they ever figure out his medical issues?
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,797
Jun 25, 2014 19:33:19 GMT
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Post by Rhondito on Apr 28, 2022 15:48:35 GMT
What a timely question! I moved out when I was 21 into my own apartment. About a year and a half later I got married and then my (ex)husband and I lived together. I've not lived alone since - that was November 1990. Tomorrow my daughter closes on her new house, Saturday she'll be moving out, and I'll be living alone for the first time in almost 32 years.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 28, 2022 15:49:10 GMT
Eh I think this is over stated. I went from the dorms (I had single but don't really consider that living alone) to my fiancé now husband. I still grew and learned a ton about myself. I tell my kids - you do you - never settle, but if you actually find that person who is your partner for life - don't let all these bullshit "rules" of you're too young, live on your own, blah blah balh - we've been married 26 years - and I have zero doubt of my independence and kick ass awesomeness that was just enhanced by the partner that I knew was special when I was 19 - never ever settle - but if you find the one - never ever give them up.
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Post by fotos4u2 on Apr 28, 2022 15:51:41 GMT
I've never lived alone. The closest I got was when I was a senior in high school and my mom basically moved in with her boyfriend (now husband). My uncle also lived with us but he worked nights so we never saw each other.
I moved straight from that situation to living with my boyfriend (eventual husband). Three kids and one divorce later and I'm still not living alone. Oldest "kid" is back living with me after graduating college (other two are away at college). She doesn't quite make enough money to live on her own (beyond renting a room in someone's house). Eventually, she'll move out and hopefully at that point I'll be in a place where I won't need to rent out her room.
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Post by FrozenPea on Apr 28, 2022 15:54:22 GMT
I have never lived alone. I stayed with my parents until I moved in with my boyfriend who became my Dh. Not that I would change anything but looking at it objectively I do think it’s a good idea to live alone at a reasonably young age. This. We actually have had all 3 of our kids live alone before getting married or having a roommate. It is the one thing that I really wished I had done.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,590
Location: PNW
May 31, 2021 3:14:17 GMT
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Post by Ryann on Apr 28, 2022 15:57:59 GMT
I lived alone for maybe 10 months when I was in my mid-20s. I either had a roommate or a spouse from the age of 18 on.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 28, 2022 16:00:28 GMT
I have never lived alone. I stayed with my parents until I moved in with my boyfriend who became my Dh. Not that I would change anything but looking at it objectively I do think it’s a good idea to live alone at a reasonably young age. This. We actually have had all 3 of our kids live alone before getting married or having a roommate. It is the one thing that I really wished I had done. Why? Serious question. If my kids are not in a relationship whatever, but I have zero hang up about living alone. Do it, don't do it - what is your actual current situation, but this idea that living alone is some utopia of independence is just silly imo. If you're independent you're independent regardless of your living situation - if you want to rely on others you can, whether you're technically living alone or not.
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Post by peano on Apr 28, 2022 16:01:56 GMT
Except for a roommate the first year after I graduated from college, and then again, my first year in grad school where I moved across country with my dog not knowing anyone, I lived alone until I married at 40. I have way more issues living with other people than I do living alone. I like the quiet and only having to clean up my own messes.
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Post by Lexica on Apr 28, 2022 16:03:12 GMT
I went from living with my parents to getting married. Then I divorced when my son was a baby. It wasn't until my son moved out that I lived alone. Then after mostly living alone and having a couple of renters, only one of which I could handle without issue, my mom moved in with me. She and I got along perfectly and I totally enjoyed the years that she lived with me.
I'm now living alone again and getting ready to downsize from this 4-bedroom house into something single-story and small. I prefer a 3 bedroom place so that I can make one bedroom into my office, but would be happy with a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom if it is the right house. I want enough room in the yard to plant some fruit trees and loads of vegetables. Oh and either a basement or shop so that I can have my craft area. I do want one guest room for friends and family to visit, but I will never have a renter again.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,428
Jun 26, 2014 2:34:35 GMT
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Post by luvnlifelady on Apr 28, 2022 16:26:29 GMT
I've only lived alone one year or so. That was around November 2016 to December 2017. Post-separation and the kids (17 and 20) were living nearby with their dad (he could better afford to support them at the time). I did not like living alone and didn't do well with it.
In hindsight, I wish I had lived alone prior to marriage. I am encouraging my now adult kids to do that when their finances can keep up. San Diego is a very expensive housing market, so I'm not sure that's going to be realistic for them. They are welcome to move to Pittsburgh though, where I am, and where housing is much more affordable.
My bf goes to bed early so that leaves me with nights alone a lot of the time. I just play on my phone usually or tidy up the house, shower, etc. We live in the city also.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,899
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Apr 28, 2022 16:36:20 GMT
I've rented rooms in 3 different shared houses before I met my DH, but I'm not sure whether that counts as we shared bathroom, kitchen and lounge facilities. I had locks on my door so I felt as alone as I wanted to be.
When DH and I moved in together, before and after we married, he worked away for months at a time so technically I was living alone in between his visits home. I'm very fortunate to be happy with my own company and I don't get bored or lonely.
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Post by sabrinae on Apr 28, 2022 16:40:07 GMT
I moved out at 17 when I graduated highschool, but that was dorms and then apartments with roommates. My roommate when I was 19 was student teaching in her hometown so I lived alone that year except for the occasional weekend or couple of days she came into town. Then when I was 23-26 my husband traveled a lot for work and was only home Friday evenings to Sunday evenings between thanksgiving and Christmas when he was generally home.
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,137
Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on Apr 28, 2022 16:41:25 GMT
summer of 2019? i was 48.
i thought i would hate it. actually, i am good.
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 28, 2022 17:16:03 GMT
I lived alone in and off during grad school, and for my first few years out of law school (my husband and I lived in separate cities for work). I’m alone half the week right now for work, and it is nice to put something down and come back to find it where I left it .
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Apr 28, 2022 17:34:47 GMT
Technically, I lived alone for about for a couple months when I was 32(turned 33 during that time frame) until my room-mate/aka dear friend moved in. I don't really count it, because it was only for a couple months and it was rough time period of my life. Ex-husband was stalking me, and I started over with almost nothing (no furniture, very little household possessions >> two towel- plates-forks-spoons-mugs-pans, one spatula and one big spoon, etc...). It was not >> "single girl, cute place-decorating-making it mine, on my own". It was survival, fear and barely making ends meet. At the age of 53.5-ish, I moved into a studio(above a garage) on my own for what I feel like was my first time "on my own". This time it really felt like >> "single girl, cute place-decorating-making it mine, on my own". I love it! I love the quiet. I love not having to compromise on the various things and choices >> decor, what's for dinner, socializing(or lack thereof), schedule, TV and music off (rather than on), etc... At first, every little noise(every place has different noises>>fridge running, house creaking, wind blowing, air conditioning running outside, traffic, etc...) bothered me....but that only lasted a few weeks then I became accustomed to it. It's been just over four years, and I still love being on my own. My favorite part is the quiet. My least favorite part is I have to do all the chores.
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Post by MichyM on Apr 28, 2022 17:39:52 GMT
I’ll admit to being very surprised at how few have lived on their own. <—— no judgement in that statement all all, just simply surprised!
I moved out shortly after turning 18. I lived alone until my future husband and I moved in together when I was 20. We married shortly before I turned 21, 2 years later we has split. I lived alone again for several years, lived with a boyfriend again for about a year, then on my own again until I was 28 and got married a second time. We were together for 23 years.
I’ve now lived alone for 9+ years. So all in all, I’ve lived on my own almost half of my adult life.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 28, 2022 17:49:37 GMT
living alone is some utopia of independence is just silly imo. no it's not silly at all, IMO. Your being dismissive of a different opinion is kinda rude, actually. my two cents, even though I don't have kids: I was that person... at least some people need to learn thru experience that they are / can be totally independent. If you have someone else with you, then that person is there to fall back on- if you're living on your own, then YOU are the ONLY one to be able to get things done, figure things out, etc. I called my parents for support, sure, but I was the only one living in my house and paying the bills. *I* had to decide to call the plumber or not if there was a problem. I had to get confident about my safety at night when it was dark, because no one else was in the house with me. *I* had to make the decisions about should I buy this house or that one... and that experience helped me to realize that I was GOOD at making decisions, and to learn to do it without endlessly second-guessing myself. Not everyone is as kick-ass independent as you right out of the gate. Or maybe they are, but don't realize it until they're faced with actually BEING on their own. I agree that it's a good experience. But that's because I did it. You don't think so, because you didn't do it (I'm guessing, I didn't read closely enough). whatever. eta: maybe part of it is a difference between introvert/extrovert personalities? I'm an introvert so I am very comfortable being by myself. I think being on my own as a kid and an adult helped me to figure out my likes and dislikes, find hobbies that I like to spend time on, etc. But maybe someone who is an extrovert wouldn't be able to handle it--?? I think everyone still needs to learn how to be comfortable being totally BY THEMSELVES because there will inevitably come a time when you're on your own for at least some amount of time-- spouse on a business trip, kids go off to college and your spouse is away on a fishing trip, spouse passes away, etc.
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 28, 2022 17:54:10 GMT
I lived with parents and then in shared houses/apartments with roommates until I was 25. My good friend/roommate was leaving to travel and I had the choice of moving into another shared house with strangers or getting a studio for myself. Although I moved a few times, I lived alone for 10 years until DH and I got married and I let him move in with me. I progressed from the studio to a one bedroom to a two bedroom apartment all to myself. Half my friends thought I was crazy to not get a roommate with the extra room but I loved having the space to myself.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,960
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Apr 28, 2022 17:55:13 GMT
I have lived alone a couple of different times. First time was after my best friend and I decided living together was not good for our friendship, I was 19/20. Lived alone until I got married at 21. Second time was after separating from marriage at age 37. That was for about a 1 1/2 before I moved in with SO.
I loved living alone. Sometimes I still dream of it...LOL I did crafts and I am one that likes silence so that was never a problem.
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Post by jloubier on Apr 28, 2022 17:58:00 GMT
Never. I went from living with my parents to moving in with my boyfriend, who is now my husband. It is the biggest regret of my life. I'm 62 and I never got to experience what it is like to look after myself financially. I never got to see what it's like to work and to have my own stuff. To know that I am capable. To this day, I am so envious of women who chose to live alone. It didn't seem like an option to me 41 years ago.
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