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Bridget JonesSure, it's cheaper to live with roommates, and a live-in boyfriend or husband is useful for late-night plumbing drama and other disasters. But there's something utterly satisfying about living on your own, even if it's in a crappy studio apartment the size of a shoebox. Here's why we think it's the best.

(Completely disagree? Next week we'll tell you why having roommates rules. We're fickle that way.)

5. No bickering over chores. I've had roommates who felt judged every time I picked up the Swiffer. ("You're cleaning again? I just did that last week.") On the flip side, I've also had roommates who bitched about a few stray hairs on the rug, making me feel like they're going to suggest that I should go on "Hoarders."

When you upgrade to your own pad, you can be as clean or as messy as you want. And when you find laundry piling up in the hallway or a half-eaten bagel under the couch (yuck), you never have to wonder whose it is or worry that someone is going to rat you out to the Secret Roommate Police.

4. The option to wear what you want, when you want. If you live alone and you want to wear sweatpants, curlers, and a self-heating facial mask on a Friday night, you can do so without getting looks of pity (or confusion). You can't do that with a roommate or a boyfriend around. Heck, if you want to walk around your apartment stark naked, you totally could without worrying that your roomie's smoking-hot boyfriend will pop by unannounced (just make sure you put on clothes when the FedEx guy buzzes). Believe me, it's the kind of luxury you don't even think about until you live alone.



3. No one to judge your taste in movies. I once left my "8 Minute Abs" DVD in the living room and a roommate asked if it was porn -- because you know I love leaving that stuff in plain view. Now I don't have to worry about someone "borrowing" my DVDs or rolling their eyes over some cheesy reality show I happen to really like. The same goes for my taste in food, music and, yes, even the men I bring home.

2. The freedom to take ridiculously long showers. I once lived in an apartment with four women and one bathroom. Weekday morning showers were scheduled down to the minute to ensure that everyone got to work on time. Now I don't have to worry about water pressure or roommates who desperately need to pee or walking in on someone's boyfriend in the middle of the night (awkward!).

1. The ability to create whatever vibe you want. Best of all, living on your own means you have the freedom to have exactly the kind of living space you want. You can rearrange the furniture on a whim, splurge on a nice couch without worrying about your roommate's cat clawing it, sing along to ABBA while you make dinner, or leave your Christmas lights up until April just because they make you happy. That kind of autonomy is both refreshing and empowering.

What about you? What do you love (or hate) about solo living?

Susan Johnston is a blogger/writer in Boston. Check out her musings on the fabulous freelance life at The Urban Muse.

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