You’ve made the decision to move out of your parents’ home. But then, sooner or later, the question comes up: should I move into a flatshare, or will I be happier in my own apartment? You should be able to answer this for yourself before you start searching for an apartment.

We’ve gathered the most important pros and cons for you to help you decide.

Advantages of a flatshare

Enjoy a bigger apartment

With flatmates helping you pay the rent, you can probably afford a bigger apartment than if you lived alone. A bigger apartment doesn’t only mean more bedrooms – it can also mean more space in general. A larger living room, a second bathroom, a separate dining area.

Split the bills

In a flatshare you can split the service charges and other expenses. Just make sure everyone agrees to pay their fair share and no one is left footing the bill. That way, at the end of the month, everyone has more money available than if each person had to pay for everything alone.

You always have friends around you

It’s easy to build lasting relationships with the people you live with, and flatmates can become lifelong friends. If you value a social atmosphere, living with others might be exactly what you need.

Disadvantages of a flatshare

Sacrificing personal space

You have to share a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom, so your bedroom may be your only personal space. If that’s a problem for you, you’d be better off living alone.

Conflicting schedules

Conflicting schedules can lead to disputes between flatmates for various reasons. Maybe you like going to bed early, but your flatmates always make noise when they come home late. If you have different schedules, then set some ground rules.

Advantages of your own apartment:

Decorate however you like

When you live alone you have total control over everything that happens in your apartment. You can hang your own pictures on the wall or put a purple velvet couch in the living room. The decorating decisions are entirely up to you, and no one will be able to tell you otherwise.

You can be alone

With flatmates coming and going on their own schedules, you may never get the chance to be completely alone. But if you have your own apartment, you can be alone as often as you like.

Fancy some company? Invite a few friends over. Fancy a quiet evening to relax, read or watch a film? You can lock the door and enjoy having the apartment all to yourself.

You have total freedom

The best thing about living alone is that you have full control and total freedom. Everything that goes on in your apartment is entirely in your hands. If you like it very clean you can tidy up regularly, and if you prefer to make a mess all week and then tidy up at the weekend, there’ll be no one there to tell you otherwise.

And if you want to get a pet, you can do so without having to worry about anyone else’s allergies or concerns.

Disadvantages of your own apartment:

You’re responsible for every chore

When you live alone, you have to do all the tasks yourself. You have to clean the bathroom, take out the rubbish and deal with other unpleasant things. With flatmates you can share these chores.

You have to pay all the bills

One of the best things about having flatmates is having people to share the expenses with. If you live alone, you have to pay the service charges, the rent and the groceries yourself.

You have to get used to being alone

For people who aren’t used to living alone, the solitude can be a challenge. When deciding whether to live alone or with flatmates, there’s a lot to consider. To make the most of your living situation, you should do what’s best for your budget and your lifestyle.