Now, the key point of the question is with whom the home is shared. The survey reports that 33% of young people would do it only with an acquaintancewhile 6% would implement the change with a stranger and the rest clarify that it depends on the situation (61%).
The increase in the cost of accessing a home and the new ways of bonding are some of the factors that affect this dynamic of coexistence. At the moment, rents have accumulated an increase of 14% above inflation and a two-room apartment with 50 square meters is located at $53,400 per month.
Particularly in countries like the United States and Spain, living with a roommate is a common characteristic when looking for a home. In North America it is a reality that continues to grow, according to data from the US Census, 25% of Americans between 18 and 34 years old lived with roommates. Despite the fact that many define it as “a necessary evil” given the situation of the rental market and the possibilities in terms of salary of the economically active population around the world, sharing a flat became an experience.
In Argentina, the main reason that users highlight for living with a roommate is the economic benefit that arises as the possibility of dividing expenses (71.53%). This is followed by particular circumstances such as an alternative after a recent separation (6.36%), as a way to become independent (6.07%) or because they moved to another area of residence (2.74%).
Julieta is 22 and her roommate was her co-worker. “I started with the plan to become independent and I had the opportunity to get an excellent apartment and I began to see my options, my partner had told me weeks before that although she wanted to live alone, it was impossible for her to find a suitable place, at that time I did not even think in the possibility of doing it”.
Like the prevailing survey response, the main reason for sharing an apartment was to be able to split expenses. As he relates, a two-room apartment located in Almagro and his part-time job were not compatible points, so he opted to share expenses. “I worked in the afternoons and studied in the mornings, she was only there at night and since she worked at night, it was the perfect option to start a mini get-together on weekends or free days,” she says.
Even though many took up this challenge, 57% of Argentines regret the decision made. It is that the friction can be accentuated if the choice of the partner was not good or if the main tasks are not distributed in the best way. Julieta, for example, only finds the dynamics of life that each one led as a negative point, despite the fact that they established rules of coexistence, the different way of doing things could lead to conflicts. However, she currently lives with another friend of whom she points out that they share the same ideas of autonomy.
Living with a roommate in Latin America?
In other Latin American countries, the trend is not installed. In Brazil (81.75%), Ecuador (66.67%), Panama (57.33%) and Peru (70.2%) they agree that they would not live in a shared flat. Unlike it, in Mexico, 72.8% think they would choose it for economic reasons. In fact, Eri, who is currently 47 years old, told Zonaprop that in her youth she lived there with a complete stranger that she met on the streets of Playa del Carmen and where the only common point was being from Argentina. “It was usual in places like Playa del Carmen, now that I think about it from a distance it seems crazy to me”he reflects.
In his case, he explains that the division of tasks was a turning point, but that they still managed to organize themselves. In any case, he says that he would not choose this type of coexistence again even though it was the best option at the time.
What are the keys to finding your ideal roommate?
According to users, establish common criteria of coexistence, respect schedules and privacy, maintenance of cleanliness, good communication, distribution of expenses and patience are some of the most important points. There are those who even suggest doing an “interview” in which a fluid dialogue can take place about the preferences of each person when it comes to living together. It is important to know that, although you can find a roommate on the internet, most prefer it to be through an acquaintance.
Whatever the origin, living with a stranger to each one’s family can be an adventure. “I think that living with someone who is a stranger to your family in which they help each other and live more or less the same issues as your age is a unique experience that contributes a lot to the lives of both parties,” says Julieta.
Source: Ambito
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