Living Alone Forum

[trialjunky]

This decision is keeping me up at night. I just keep going back and fourth "the one bedroom is so much nicer/easier, but, I'll be bored/lonely." Ohh god. I wish I was a better decision maker, or just had something that kind of made the decision for me. I kind of thought asking around would enlighten me to something I didn't realize before, but I think it really just comes down to preference of freedom or companionship.

I’ve done both and I think living alone is infinitely better. You DO NOT have to choose between freedom and companionship. I live alone now and my apartment is where everyone hangs out at. I generally have at least one person over my apartment every day. However, when finals come around I can cut that out. I never have to worry about some random party at my apartment when I’m gone (which happened a lot when I had a roommate.) If the house is a mess, it’s my entire fault. Once you’ve have a roommate who sucks, you’ll never want one again (unless they’re your SO). I don’t get lonely or anything, just make your one bedroom the hangout spot and you have no worries. When you want companionship its there and when you need a break you can juts tell your friends you have a test coming up and they give you a little space.

Plus you can walk around naked and watch porn extremely loudly.

[Netopalis]

I lived alone for my 1L year, and I loved it. The fact is, most law school students keep very odd hours. If I had to deal with another law student's schedule, I think I'd drive myself crazy. It's just so much easier when you have complete control of the environment.

[SaintClarence27]

This decision is keeping me up at night. I just keep going back and fourth "the one bedroom is so much nicer/easier, but, I'll be bored/lonely." Ohh god. I wish I was a better decision maker, or just had something that kind of made the decision for me. I kind of thought asking around would enlighten me to something I didn't realize before, but I think it really just comes down to preference of freedom or companionship.

I’ve done both and I think living alone is infinitely better. You DO NOT have to choose between freedom and companionship. I live alone now and my apartment is where everyone hangs out at. I generally have at least one person over my apartment every day. However, when finals come around I can cut that out. I never have to worry about some random party at my apartment when I’m gone (which happened a lot when I had a roommate.) If the house is a mess, it’s my entire fault. Once you’ve have a roommate who sucks, you’ll never want one again (unless they’re your SO). I don’t get lonely or anything, just make your one bedroom the hangout spot and you have no worries. When you want companionship its there and when you need a break you can juts tell your friends you have a test coming up and they give you a little space.

Plus you can walk around naked and watch porn extremely loudly.

I don't think it's nearly as bad to deal with someone else's mess (except in the kitchen - stay the fuck out of my kitchen!) as it is to have a roommate who always seems to pick the worst possible time to say "We need to clean today," then acts all put upon when you tell him that it's not going to happen.

[nax425]

i demand neatness 24/7 and despise laziness with any household chores. it was just how i was raised, plus I am psycho. knowing this about myself, I live alone. if you know what you can and can't handle, the choice should be pretty easy. if you are laid back in terms of cleanliness, AND you are social, then live in a multi-people place and you'll be happy. But if you aren't both of those things, you can always be social on your own terms but keep your sanity at home. law school doesn't seem like a time to be stressing over anything other than grades - so the less complex your living situation, the better.

[snowpeach06]

i demand neatness 24/7 and despise laziness with any household chores. it was just how i was raised, plus I am psycho. knowing this about myself, I live alone. if you know what you can and can't handle, the choice should be pretty easy. if you are laid back in terms of cleanliness, AND you are social, then live in a multi-people place and you'll be happy. But if you aren't both of those things, you can always be social on your own terms but keep your sanity at home. law school doesn't seem like a time to be stressing over anything other than grades - so the less complex your living situation, the better.

I am laid back in terms of clenlinss (I'm usually the messy one, but if I do get annoyed by it, then I just clean it myself; I don't know why other people don't do this). I'm really just worried that I will be the one annoying the other person. For the most part I'm extremely laid back. The only things that bother me are tv hogs (because I'm the tv hog!) and really loud people who constantly bring 10 other people over really late at night, which I suppose aren't the most likely things to happen. I think maybe my problem is I've had very good roommate experiences. I had one bad one, but it was only bad when we literally shared a room. When we just shared an apartment, it was fine.

[rdcws000]

I think the one and only compelling reason to EVER get a roommate is to save money. Even if you are highly social/interactive, you don't do much of this in your sleep. LIVE ALONE if you can afford it!

Actually compromise, get a 1 bedroom or a studio in a very urban, highly populated area, so whenever you seek interaction you just walk downstairs.

[ScaredWorkedBored]

If you get a roommate it *has* to be either another graduate/professional student or a very nerdy upperclassman undergrad. The finals demands in particular are entirely different from what undergrads appreciate.

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

[snowpeach06]

I think the one and only compelling reason to EVER get a roommate is to save money. Even if you are highly social/interactive, you don't do much of this in your sleep. LIVE ALONE if you can afford it!

Actually compromise, get a 1 bedroom or a studio in a very urban, highly populated area, so whenever you seek interaction you just walk downstairs.

Are you only at home when you sleep? I feel like I'm home pretty much all night. Maybe I'm just a loser.

Anyway, unfortunately, the one bedroom I really like is one of only 6 apartments. It is literally right on the street with all the bars and restaurants though. It's kind of a fantastic perfect apartment, only problem is how small (550 sq ft) and the fact that there is no elevator, which I assume will suck when I try to move in a couch.

Ohh, and I'm allergic to cats. However, I am working to cure this so I can take mine with me.

[Matthies]

If you get a roommate it *has* to be either another graduate/professional student or a very nerdy upperclassman undergrad. The finals demands in particular are entirely different from what undergrads appreciate.

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

+1 million, or two cats so they have someome to play with when your gone. But cats are magentically drawn to casebooks, if you walk away to say get a soda ur cat will plop itsself ringht on top of what u where reading.

For people alegic to cats the lady next door has a rabbit, it seems like a decent pet, uses the litter box, hops arounf the house, kind of cool

[snowpeach06]

If you get a roommate it *has* to be either another graduate/professional student or a very nerdy upperclassman undergrad. The finals demands in particular are entirely different from what undergrads appreciate.

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

+1 million, or two cats so they have someome to play with when your gone. But cats are magentically drawn to casebooks, if you walk away to say get a soda ur cat will plop itsself ringht on top of what u where reading.

For people alegic to cats the lady next door has a rabbit, it seems like a decent pet, uses the litter box, hops arounf the house, kind of cool

haha. So true. When I was a kid, I would put my homework down on the table, go to take out a pen, and my cat would literally be sitting on top of it, rolling around, purring, crinkling the pages. Cats are so lucky everything they do is adorable.

[Matthies]

If you get a roommate it *has* to be either another graduate/professional student or a very nerdy upperclassman undergrad. The finals demands in particular are entirely different from what undergrads appreciate.

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

+1 million, or two cats so they have someome to play with when your gone. But cats are magentically drawn to casebooks, if you walk away to say get a soda ur cat will plop itsself ringht on top of what u where reading.

For people alegic to cats the lady next door has a rabbit, it seems like a decent pet, uses the litter box, hops arounf the house, kind of cool

haha. So true. When I was a kid, I would put my homework down on the table, go to take out a pen, and my cat would literally be sitting on top of it, rolling around, purring, crinkling the pages. Cats are so lucky everything they do is adorable.

Agree excpte when you hear that Haaawkkkhaackkkack sound from the other room and you know they are about to barwf up a hairball you got to clean up later

[snowpeach06]

If you get a roommate it *has* to be either another graduate/professional student or a very nerdy upperclassman undergrad. The finals demands in particular are entirely different from what undergrads appreciate.

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

+1 million, or two cats so they have someome to play with when your gone. But cats are magentically drawn to casebooks, if you walk away to say get a soda ur cat will plop itsself ringht on top of what u where reading.

For people alegic to cats the lady next door has a rabbit, it seems like a decent pet, uses the litter box, hops arounf the house, kind of cool

haha. So true. When I was a kid, I would put my homework down on the table, go to take out a pen, and my cat would literally be sitting on top of it, rolling around, purring, crinkling the pages. Cats are so lucky everything they do is adorable.

Agree excpte when you hear that Haaawkkkhaackkkack sound from the other room and you know they are about to barwf up a hairball you got to clean up later

My cats don't really have that problem. Although, I do hate cleaning out litter boxes. A lot. And this one bedroom is so small, I don't even know where I'd put a litter box.

[joeshmo39]

I lived alone junior year of UG and didn't really like it. There was a lot of other stuff going on which meant I was realy busy so that didn't help, admittedly. Still, I felt like I never saw anyone and that I just kind of sat around and surfed the web. My grades were lowest that year too. The apartment was really nice at least. Regardless, I felt cut off and bored.
This year I have 2 roommates and I prefer it. We were all friends before we moved in together and it worked out fine. One of the guys I have known since high school even. He is really laid back so it works out and our other roommate is pretty busy and not around too much. Obviously, things get on your nerves like the bathroom isn't clean and the dishes pile up, but that stuff happened in my old apartment too. Now I mutter about them, but I know if it was just me the same things would probably happen. Also, it is cheaper. With utilities and rent the place I lived in alone was 850-900 a month. My place next year is also nice with hardwood floors etc. and with roomies will be ~400 a month. It's worth it for me.

[nax425]

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

+1 million, or two cats so they have someome to play with when your gone. But cats are magentically drawn to casebooks, if you walk away to say get a soda ur cat will plop itsself ringht on top of what u where reading.

For people alegic to cats the lady next door has a rabbit, it seems like a decent pet, uses the litter box, hops arounf the house, kind of cool

haha. So true. When I was a kid, I would put my homework down on the table, go to take out a pen, and my cat would literally be sitting on top of it, rolling around, purring, crinkling the pages. Cats are so lucky everything they do is adorable.

Agree excpte when you hear that Haaawkkkhaackkkack sound from the other room and you know they are about to barwf up a hairball you got to clean up later

My cats don't really have that problem. Although, I do hate cleaning out litter boxes. A lot. And this one bedroom is so small, I don't even know where I'd put a litter box.[/quote]

I freakin' love my cat! She is fluffly and cute as crap and keeps me company. Plus, she is independent, so she doesn't cling incessantly like a dog or certain roomies would.

[mac.empress]

I'm friends with great people and I have to share in order to keep costs down. I just don't want to live with any of these people. I need to be able to remove myself from their crazy.

Advice?

[Georgiana]

I lived alone for 1L and 2L and am moving in with the boyfriend for 3L (he just graduated and is clerking next year). I knew going in that I didn't want a roommate and I don't regret that at all. I know people in shared 2brs paying more than me so I have no regrets. There are just so many things to think about with a roommate. Will you share food? Who is in charge of the bills? What if one of you has a SO who comes to visit for weekends/breaks? What if the cleaning pref's don't match up? Will you cook together or do your own thing? Are you expected to be "friends" and go out together? Law school is a competitive place, are you ok with your roommate being more successful than you (if that happens)? Will you study together? Pets? Just too much to deal with during 1L. If anything, live alone the first year and see if you find someone you'd be willing to live with (NOT your 1L best friend, not usually good to live with close friends).

[Renzo]

I think the one and only compelling reason to EVER get a roommate is to save money. Even if you are highly social/interactive, you don't do much of this in your sleep. LIVE ALONE if you can afford it!

Actually compromise, get a 1 bedroom or a studio in a very urban, highly populated area, so whenever you seek interaction you just walk downstairs.

Are you only at home when you sleep? I feel like I'm home pretty much all night. Maybe I'm just a loser.

Anyway, unfortunately, the one bedroom I really like is one of only 6 apartments. It is literally right on the street with all the bars and restaurants though. It's kind of a fantastic perfect apartment, only problem is how small (550 sq ft) and the fact that there is no elevator, which I assume will suck when I try to move in a couch.

Ohh, and I'm allergic to cats. However, I am working to cure this so I can take mine with me.

550 sq. ft is the size of my 2 bd, apt, and it's a mansion. stupid Manhattan

[Renzo]

If you get a roommate it *has* to be either another graduate/professional student or a very nerdy upperclassman undergrad. The finals demands in particular are entirely different from what undergrads appreciate.

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

+1 million, or two cats so they have someome to play with when your gone. But cats are magentically drawn to casebooks, if you walk away to say get a soda ur cat will plop itsself ringht on top of what u where reading.

For people alegic to cats the lady next door has a rabbit, it seems like a decent pet, uses the litter box, hops arounf the house, kind of cool

haha. So true. When I was a kid, I would put my homework down on the table, go to take out a pen, and my cat would literally be sitting on top of it, rolling around, purring, crinkling the pages. Cats are so lucky everything they do is adorable.

Are you high? Cats belong in barns.

[Bert]

I am planning to live by myself and then with my SO, whenever she moves down.

I'm planning to live with your SO until she moves down.

just saw this post - hahahaha.

[Aqualibrium]

If you get a roommate it *has* to be either another graduate/professional student or a very nerdy upperclassman undergrad. The finals demands in particular are entirely different from what undergrads appreciate.

If you live alone, adopt a cat. It helps.

+1 million, or two cats so they have someome to play with when your gone. But cats are magentically drawn to casebooks, if you walk away to say get a soda ur cat will plop itsself ringht on top of what u where reading.

For people alegic to cats the lady next door has a rabbit, it seems like a decent pet, uses the litter box, hops arounf the house, kind of cool

haha. So true. When I was a kid, I would put my homework down on the table, go to take out a pen, and my cat would literally be sitting on top of it, rolling around, purring, crinkling the pages. Cats are so lucky everything they do is adorable.

Are you high? Cats belong in barns.

+1 million

[missvik218]

I lived alone for 1L and 2L and am moving in with the boyfriend for 3L (he just graduated and is clerking next year). I knew going in that I didn't want a roommate and I don't regret that at all. I know people in shared 2brs paying more than me so I have no regrets. There are just so many things to think about with a roommate. Will you share food? Who is in charge of the bills? What if one of you has a SO who comes to visit for weekends/breaks? What if the cleaning pref's don't match up? Will you cook together or do your own thing? Are you expected to be "friends" and go out together? Law school is a competitive place, are you ok with your roommate being more successful than you (if that happens)? Will you study together? Pets? Just too much to deal with during 1L. If anything, live alone the first year and see if you find someone you'd be willing to live with (NOT your 1L best friend, not usually good to live with close friends).

Not living with close/best friends is definitely credited, but I think the main gist of this thread is way too neurotic.

For me at least, the benefits of roommate outweigh the costs; is it REALLY that difficult to determine one of you pay the electric, the other pays the cable and if there is a balance you write a check once a month? I've had really bad living situations in the past (especially UG) but shouldn't we all be adult enough at this point to cohabitate without ruining each other's lives? Maybe I'm idealistic or just extremely easy going for a law student though ... I just don't feel like a visiting BF or a few dishes in the sink is the end of the world.

I do agree that it depends on the person though, and if you know yourself well enough to know that a roommate isn’t something you’re going to be able to handle (noting that it requires flexibility) or wouldn't enjoy then live alone.

[motiontodismiss]

When I go to law school, I'm living alone and getting a Roomba. I hate roommates and I hate vacuuming. And I have allergies.

The Roomba will be my roommate. It doesn't pay rent, but it cleans when I tell it to (well when I tell it to in advance), it doesn't complain about me leaving shit in an organized chaotic pile all over the place (as long as I keep the floor clear of foreign objects), it doesn't go to law school, it doesn't eat all your food, and all you need to do is empty out the dust bin every so often.

[snowpeach06]

I lived alone for 1L and 2L and am moving in with the boyfriend for 3L (he just graduated and is clerking next year). I knew going in that I didn't want a roommate and I don't regret that at all. I know people in shared 2brs paying more than me so I have no regrets. There are just so many things to think about with a roommate. Will you share food? Who is in charge of the bills? What if one of you has a SO who comes to visit for weekends/breaks? What if the cleaning pref's don't match up? Will you cook together or do your own thing? Are you expected to be "friends" and go out together? Law school is a competitive place, are you ok with your roommate being more successful than you (if that happens)? Will you study together? Pets? Just too much to deal with during 1L. If anything, live alone the first year and see if you find someone you'd be willing to live with (NOT your 1L best friend, not usually good to live with close friends).

Not living with close/best friends is definitely credited, but I think the main gist of this thread is way too neurotic.

For me at least, the benefits of roommate outweigh the costs; is it REALLY that difficult to determine one of you pay the electric, the other pays the cable and if there is a balance you write a check once a month? I've had really bad living situations in the past (especially UG) but shouldn't we all be adult enough at this point to cohabitate without ruining each other's lives? Maybe I'm idealistic or just extremely easy going for a law student though ... I just don't feel like a visiting BF or a few dishes in the sink is the end of the world.

I do agree that it depends on the person though, and if you know yourself well enough to know that a roommate isn’t something you’re going to be able to handle (noting that it requires flexibility) or wouldn't enjoy then live alone.

This is what I'm starting to think. Horray for chill people who don't care about a slight mess/noise/missing piece of bread/ect.

[SaintClarence27]

I lived alone for 1L and 2L and am moving in with the boyfriend for 3L (he just graduated and is clerking next year). I knew going in that I didn't want a roommate and I don't regret that at all. I know people in shared 2brs paying more than me so I have no regrets. There are just so many things to think about with a roommate. Will you share food? Who is in charge of the bills? What if one of you has a SO who comes to visit for weekends/breaks? What if the cleaning pref's don't match up? Will you cook together or do your own thing? Are you expected to be "friends" and go out together? Law school is a competitive place, are you ok with your roommate being more successful than you (if that happens)? Will you study together? Pets? Just too much to deal with during 1L. If anything, live alone the first year and see if you find someone you'd be willing to live with (NOT your 1L best friend, not usually good to live with close friends).

Not living with close/best friends is definitely credited, but I think the main gist of this thread is way too neurotic.

For me at least, the benefits of roommate outweigh the costs; is it REALLY that difficult to determine one of you pay the electric, the other pays the cable and if there is a balance you write a check once a month? I've had really bad living situations in the past (especially UG) but shouldn't we all be adult enough at this point to cohabitate without ruining each other's lives? Maybe I'm idealistic or just extremely easy going for a law student though ... I just don't feel like a visiting BF or a few dishes in the sink is the end of the world.

I do agree that it depends on the person though, and if you know yourself well enough to know that a roommate isn’t something you’re going to be able to handle (noting that it requires flexibility) or wouldn't enjoy then live alone.

This is what I'm starting to think. Horray for chill people who don't care about a slight mess/noise/missing piece of bread/ect.

I care much more about not hearing people who use "chill" as an adjective.

[revolution724]

Right now I'm torn between two apartments, a one bedroom and a two bedroom, and I was just curious about what law students have to say about living alone. Is not getting a roomie something you regret (is it lonely, too expensive, boring), or has it been beneficial in some way? Thanks for any advice.

I used to live alone and I got roommates when I moved to New York to start law school because I managed to convince myself that a nicer place for less money would be worth it.

It's so, so not. I kick myself every single day for getting roommates. I hate it. If I could afford to move somewhere alone tomorrow, I would do it.