By: Naja & Dorje
It's 2021 now. This is the time for first-year students to start searching for houses in downtown Beppu, after spending time with friends and experiencing diverse cultures in AP house. When you’re thinking about living downtown, the first thought that comes to your mind may be to find a way to get an apartment as cheap as possible. Having a share mate is a good idea to divide the costs in the house, plus you won't be lonely and it’s perfect for extroverted people. However, most students end up living alone instead. In this article we will provide advantages and disadvantages of living alone versus sharing with mates, to help you in making this big decision.
Advantages of Living Alone:
The Whole room is yours: One of the benefits of living alone is that you get a whole room by yourself, a big bed, your own kitchen for cooking lovers, and the most essential matter; privacy. For someone who prefers spending time alone rather than seeing friends for 24 hours, a private room is a good choice for you. Additionally, you can decorate the room freely in your style.
Live by your own rules: To live with share mates, you may need to set up some rules in order not to have problems with each other. On the contrary, if you live alone, there is no need to set up any rules to live in your room. You gain the freedom to wash dishes anytime, cook as you like, or listen to music as loud as you want (but not bothering neighbors). Furthermore, you can set up your sleep time whenever you desire. It is about doing anything you want anytime in your personal space.
Disadvantage of Living Alone:
Responsibility is the first priority: To live alone means your whole life is now your responsibility. You have to manage the costs and unexpected problems on your own such as water and electricity bills,
Security is important: Some stranger might suddenly knock on your door and start ringing a bell. In this case, if your chosen apartment has high security, you don't have to worry that they will appear in front of your door. In order to come in, they need to press the room number and have permission from us, the room's owner. However, this is not always happening; in fact, it rarely occurs. Despite all of that, it is just a minor thing to keep in mind.
Advantages of Living with Share Mates:
Share Bills: When living with roommates, you’ll definitely experience things differently from being alone in one room. The first and most significant thing is sharing bills. When you have roommates, utilities and other expenses can be divided. You can split the water bill, gas bill, and additional costs with your roommate. Also, you will likely be able to afford a bigger place if your roommates agree to split the monthly rent equally.
Long-lasting Relationship: It is easier to form a long-lasting relationship with the people you live with, and roommates can become lifelong friends. If you want a social environment when you return home, then living with a roommate is a good option.
Disadvantages of Living with Share Mates:
Less Personal Space: Having another person in your life 24/7 can have some drawbacks. You’ll have to sacrifice your personal space. It can be harder to find time to be alone when you live with a roommate. You will have to share a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. If you prefer to live on your way, having a roommate can be a bad idea
Not The Same Schedules: You and your roommates’ conflicting schedules can create riffs. For instance, you like to go to bed early, but your roommate makes noise till midnight, or you might study for late hours, whereas your roommate might have to wake up early for work. These things can create tension between roommates.
To conclude, both choices have pros and cons. You should consider your lifestyle before making your decision. You might want to ask your senpai (先輩) for advice in choosing an apartment, and how to manage the expenses. Consult with friends about living together, and make an agreement on rules in the house. Another recommended advice is to decide with friends to live in the same building, but separate rooms to have privacy while still being able to help each other when needed. However, it’s better to consider the decision properly because you will be living with or without roommate for another three years, and it costs lots of money and time if you want to relocate a house.