The trials and tribulations of sharing your space.
Sharing your home with a flatmate has it perks, but it can also have some downfalls. For those who like their own space fortunately Bangkok has some incredibly reasonable renting options. But if you are wanting to live in a bigger property than sharing with others means sharing the rent and enjoying the extra space it provides.
Be conscious that as creatures of habits housemates can come up against each other on the ‘way things should be done’. Are you laid back enough to entertain other people’s ‘ways’ or are you willing to relax and not insist that the cushions that sit on the sofa are always at 90 degrees to each other?
On the flip side, there will always be someone to come home to. Share your day’s tales with, maybe even cook for each other or collect the infamous 7-Eleven stamps with. Your friendship group with double if not triple, as your flatmates introduce you to your friends. But if you want to come home to peace and quiet then maybe sharing is not for you, least of all if your housemates often invite people to entertain at home any time day or night.
Be flexible. Remember caring is sharing even if your housemate wants to watch the latest sport whilst you would rather avoid an evening filled with them cheering their latest team. Picking the right person to share with is imperative. Support the same football team and you can yell at the television together.
Setting rules and boundaries may seem a bit too formal. But something to consider if you are all aiming to get something different out of the living arrangement. For some it is a case of splitting the costs, the bills, enjoying the extra space, whilst for others and particularly those new to an area, it is a great way to start out, to help adjust with the move and to create friendships.
And if this all sounds too much, then live alone and get a house companion that can’t talk back – like a cat!