Is Living Alone Worth It?

There is a new theory that young people should live alone for a while before they start their own families. Why? Self-discovery, Independence, Clarity, etc. Well, it’s not like you can’t get all this at home with parents, but it’s a different feeling. But is living alone worth it?

Well, I have stayed alone for close to a year now. IT IS NOT EASY. Either way, I am just getting used to it and it gets better as you go really.

SO, SHOULD YOU MOVE OUT?

There’s no perfect answer to this question. The best reply to give would be dependent on:

• Who would fund it?
• If you can afford the lifestyle,
• Why you want to move out,
• Is your new place closer to your job?
• You want privacy,
• Or you are basically moving to another state.

Have You Thought About The Cost?

Moving out is expensive. You basically have to turn an apartment into a microcosm of a home. As if, finding a decent apartment within your budget is not already enough. By the time you price curtain or even a gas cooker, you moving out would become slowed down. You’d begin to purchase things once in a month, spend 2 days at your new place and then, one week with the elders of your clan in their house. Well, that is if you are not moving to another state entirely. If you and your folks are still in the same location, you still have a backup plan for the rainy days.

The cost of setting up an empty apartment to living standard is enormous. Before you even consider your own taste. I mean, I know what I wanted my place to look like and I know what it looks like now. I’m near 70% of my picture-perfect place. I don’t have the funds to do it all at once. It is a journey in progress.

Food, Roommate/Flatmate

Have you thought about food? Well, according to findings, about 50% of our income goes to food. Well, you wonder how. It’s not far fetched, if you are already used to shopping, you can tell that one meal a day is what a couple of us practice. It’s just you and you wonder why you spend so much on food. We all will eventually find a system that works for us.

Having a flatmate/roommate will help save costs. Living alone can be a lot sometimes. This is when if you are single, water will roll down your eyes. Your booed-up neighbours begin to get on your nerves. But thankfully, doing Zoom calls is easy because nobody is walking around. Have friends around, friends save lives.

The Extras

Now, I am considering supplying my own electricity. Nigeria will show you pepper. DISCOs will use your eyes to see shege. Well, get an apartment where utility bills are sorted out at once.

Then, there is the part of landlords. I heard single people are not allowed to rent houses freely in Lagos especially women and freelancers. Must be tough. Things like this are discouraging. Then, would you rather have a live-in Landlord?

At this point, it is important to note that saying you live out of your parent’s house as a university student doesn’t count. You heard right, it doesn’t count.

Read Also: 21 Things I Have Learnt in 21 Years

Tips to moving out

1. Save and keep saving. Money will make you less depressed.
2. Find an apartment central to your daily activities. So, you don’t have to search for a new place every year.
3. Avoid buying on impulse. Sincerely, you don’t need some things.
4. If you need it but can’t afford it, you can either save or buy fairly used electronics. From credible dealers. This is a life hack. Be wary of buying stolen goods though before they track somebody’s fridge to your house.
5. You really should consider getting a flatmate/roommate. Leaving alone isn’t so much fun especially if you are an extrovert.
6. Get ready to budget your way through things.
7. If you can, get a roomate/flatmate. It saves money and gives you company.

What You Stand To Get From Living Alone

• You learn financial management, gain more self-confidence and self-knowledge.
• You learn to take accountability for your decisions.
• You make mistakes and learn better.
• You get more creative.
• You build deeper friendships.

So, is living alone worth it? For me, the answer is yes. Irrespective of anything, Living Alone Is Absolutely Worth It.

How about you? Are you currently in your space? Or you are actively considering it? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section.

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