Should I live on my own or with housemates?

As a renter, you have the pick of the bunch. You can choose any location, any building and any specifications you wish. You can sniff out the best property for your needs, the one with the biggest swimming pool if you like to clock up some lengths at the start of the day or the one with the most amount of storage to house your impressive shoe collection. You can choose to live on your own but also you can opt to live with others. But what are the benefits of co-sharing?

Solo living and housemates both have their perks. If you prefer your own space then, fortunately, the market is awash with smaller properties suited to single occupiers. From studios to one-bedroom units, developers have been quick to cotton on to this growing trend and there are a host of properties you can cherry-pick from.

However, if coming home to an empty property is not your thing, then a housemate or two is for you. Should you be new to a city then you have the social advantage when living with others.

Theoretically, they should share the same mindset, so a ready-made group of friends is a great way to start your new chapter in life whilst you find your feet. Not only do they provide you with comfort, but they are also a walking guide book to provide knowledge to aid in your everyday life, such as how to get around the city, where to find the best latte, gym, supermarket, etc.

The next advantage is of housemates is that they split the load. Whether this is finding a property if you are not replacing a housemate of an established home, paying the bills or sharing the chores. Utilities such as the Internet, television and telephone packages can be divided lowering your monthly outgoings.

Another huge benefit of choosing to live in a shared home is location. In some cities, the smaller units are all clustered together with a short commute to popular areas. This is done for the sake of profitability so many developers earmark locations that they expect to perform well and fit as many smaller units in the building as is feasible.

If you are looking to share with two or more people, then you can even consider a family-sized unit. Many older buildings have three or more bedrooms and ample living areas meaning that despite living together you will not be living on top of each other. Larger units can also be found in central locations close to schools and workplaces, meaning that you can enjoy a central lifestyle.