People live alone for a reason. Maybe they want to see the world through their own eyes, not their families’. Perhaps they’ve tried having roommates and discover the disadvantages out weigh the advantages. They could want to live in an area that offers employment in the field for which they are trained and moving to such a place means not knowing anyone.

Pros of living alone

Living alone provides an unparalleled sense of freedom. As long as the rent or mortgage plus utilities are paid, a person doesn’t have to answer to anyone.

Weekends are the time to explore the area. Finding things to do provides opportunities to explore the local culture. If a person works in the city and lives in the suburbs, the weekends can provide the time to do actvities advertised in the newspaper or on the Internet - like seeing a new art exhibit, viewing a film, or enjoying an ethnic festival.

It is always advisable for a person to live in an area where he knows a few people already. Sometimes a long-distance friend can’t drop everything to give the help needed on short notice. Knowing a few people in an area can serve as a social bridge until new friends are made.

Keeping the place clean depends on the inhabitant. Cleaning on a regular basis is appealing to some people; others are inclined to clean when they’re expecting company. When a person lives alone, it’s entirely up to him. Sometimes the best way to spend a Saturday morning is to have breakfast at a fast-food restaurant before tackling the grocery shopping.

Cons of living alone

Sometimes living alone can be lonely. Problems can crop up with neighbors. They can be noisy or nosy and be a general nuisance. Large apartment complexes can have insect issues that need to be addressed.

It is helpful to live near new friends when an emergency arises. They, in turn, could welcome someone nearby to feed their pets when they are gone or to return the favor if they have an emergency.

Living alone gives a person time to think. It gives one time to make a list of goals, correct bad habits, and discover new interests. If a person loves what he is doing or where he’s living, or both, he may discover he wants to share his daily experiences with someone else. A person may decide to marry.

If he eventually finds himself alone once more, he’s already proven to himself that he can live independently. All that’s left to do is to accept change, relax or resign himself to the situation and let the experience of living alone begin anew.