Living alone for the first time...at 34.?

Question

I have just come out of a long term relationship and am going to be living alone in a small but nice flat. I've never lived alone and was wondering if anyone could tell me what the pro's and cons are in their opinion? I'm on a limited budget and would love some tips on how to make living managable and fun. Thanks

Answer 1

Good for you. Tiime to start living.

You can go to bed and wake up when you want.

You can eat when you want.

You can clean when you want.

You can come and go as you please.

You can decorate how you please.

Don't feel lonely. Look at this is a wonderful time to get to know you all over again. Meditate, yoga, read books, work out, and have friends over.

As far as budget goes. Things stretch a long way. There are fun recipes  online for singles that you can freeze and eat later or repurpose for lunch the next day.

Answer 2

I am living alone for the first time in my life. I am not separated or divorced, just living away from my family who is in another country. Living alone gives you full control, but along with comes loneliness, you just don't feel the same anymore. You yearn for company and the problem is that the friends around you are committed to their relations. This means that you will have to work with their schedules i.e. they will decide when to meet and what to do.

I believe that it is always better to have people around you to keep you occupied.

BTW, I am a guy so it may be different but not entirely so.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Good for you, there is a difference of being alone and being lonely.  I too live alone and one of the cons is that I can find it easy to isolate myself, so it is important to stay plugged into friends and family.  The Pro howevver outwiegh the cons. I love it love it love it!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Pros:

1. You can cook whatever you want, whenever you want.

2. You can watch whatever you want, whenever you want.

3. You can run around naked if you prefer, and dance around after you shower to trashy Britney Spears music with absolutely no shame.

4. Are you cold? Turn the heat up. Are you hot? Turn the AC stronger. You have total power over your climate.

5. You can decorate your place to represent you as much as you like. You can invite whomever you like over, whenever you please.

6. FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE!!!!

Cons:

1. You have to clean everything yourself

2. It can get lonely at times.

3. It can be more expensive living on your own if you aren't careful.  

Answer 6

I lived alone for 4 years in a small apartment, and there really weren't any cons to it, IMO. I could come and go as I wanted, I had my own space, I could keep it as clean as I felt like, I could leave dirty dishes in the sink if I so desired, I didn't have to deal with roommates and everything that comes with it (noise, complaints, visitors, etc). I like being alone, and I enjoyed having my own place. The biggest thing is to find a place you can comfortably afford on your own; it may be small, but it'll be your own little haven.

Answer 7

its hard .. but you will do it and have fun doing it ask your friends for help ..  

Answer 8

Lving alone is a cinch. You get to do your own thing when you want and no one to answer to or hassle you about anything.  

Answer 9

I was 45 the first time I lived alone.  I was scared to death for years that might be why I stayed married for 24 years!  I loved it!  I had a very controlling spouse who never helped out with the kids.  I brought them to all activities.  Once my daughter was in college (she wa the baby), I left. I have never regretted leaving, just that I didn't have the courage before then.  My job paid well enough for me to live in a one bedroom apartment not far from work.  I picked up a second part time job to fill the time and get a little extra spending money.  I had "date night" every Thursday.  I met with one friend a week that I had lost contact with during my marriage.  I reconnected with a lot of friends and it was fun!  We would meet for dinner or drinks.  Sometimes see a movie or go for coffee.  It was wonderful.  After a year or so, I began dating and now am engaged and living with my fiancee.  Life is good and risks are worth taking when the outcome is better in the long run.  You will be fine.  Enjoy your freedom and independence!

Answer 10

I loved living on my own for 3 years and like every one says,           You can do what you want, whenever you want to.

You can eat what ever you choose to eat and when.

You can go out whenever you want to with who ever you wish.

You can go to bed late or early and sleep in or get up when it suits you

As for making the budget stretch,I use to make a nice healthy salad which would last me 3 nights and all I had to do was cook a steak or chicken or fish to go with it. Another thing you could make is a big stew or shepards pie and have that over 3 nights.

Answer 11

First let me say CONGRATULATIONS!!!  You are truly free to do what you want, when you want.  There are many, many great perks that come with freedom.  But if you are a woman alone, here are some tips for safe and fun living.

Don't give your address out right away.

Don't tell anyone you don't know that you live alone.

When you date, go to his place before you invite him to yours.

Keep neighbor's phone numbers that you trust implicitly.

Keep family and friends a phone call away and stay in touch regularly.

Have the phone numbers of taxi service, police and ambulance handy.

Know where your nearest hospital or clinic is located.

Keep your phone number unlisted.

If you can afford it, get renter's/home insurance.

Make a budget and stick to it.

I know these little things are simple, but they go a long way in making you feel secure and empowered.  And they are little reminders that you are never alone.

Answer 12

It is the fun part that is hard.  Living alone has the advantage of freedom but with freedom also comes loneliness.  It is surprising how used to sharing just simple things with the people you live with.  When you are alone you get this kind of empty feeling when there is something you want to share and there is no one there.  Ultimately the key is to realize it gets easier with time and that freedom can be a good thing in the long run.  After all, it means not worrying about what you wear around the place, you can do what you want when you want, and if you feel lazy you can put off cleaning till the next day.

Answer 13

It is fun living alone.  You will enjoy having a peace of mind.  With the economy being down, you will have to make every penny count.  Don't splurge. Take care of the bills first, cut back on expenses.  Have fun!!!

Answer 14

Well congrats on getting out their on your own hope this is what you wanted.Secondly i would suggest getting a cat or some fish,they can make for good companions the cat not the fish so much.You can sometimes find cool retro furniture at second hand stores.Throw rugs can do alot for a room also,Get a hobbie something you have always wanted to try ,painting crafts etc.You don't always need alot of money to make life interesting.And don't be scared though I'm sure you are being alone can be like an adventure.Good luck to you and god bless!

Answer 15

I lived alone for a long time.  There are many pros to it.  I loved not having to be accountable for every move I made.  If I didn't feel like washing a dish until the morning, I didn't have to.  I took a lot of bubble baths with candles, had my incense burning all the time.  I just loved the freedom of creating my own environment.  You should just focus on yourself & your interests.  I used to paint a lot & I refinished furniture.  Just small things like that I really miss.

As for the budget . . . you can cook at home.  Use a lot of fresh veggies & rice that aren't very expensive.  Get a crockpot & make soups & stews.  Instead of going out all the time you can have friends over.  I did that a lot when I was broke.  Cocktails are too expensive.  I would make some food & have my friends bring over beer or whatever & watch movies or play games.