Why do young people share an apartment with housemates?

Living with family can be great. I never lived with friends but that could be good for everyone.

I did not have that experience. I went to the best university in the country and it was commutable from my home. So, I was not given any hostel on campus ( there is a huge demand for that from students coming from other cities). I did one year course after my post graduation and that campus was very far. I was given hostel accommodation and then I shared a hostel room with one of my batchmate. It was fun. And she became a very good friend.

I studied with Open University so I didn't have the whole university experience. My eldest son did, though. He got into the university he wanted. It was too far to commute so he had to move nearer to it. He started off in dorms for the first year. He had his own bedroom but everything else (bathroom, kitchen, communal rooms) was shared with other students. He spent his second year sharing a house with one friend he had made. Third year, he had a student flat that I think was a similar set-up to the university dorms but with his own bathroom and only sharing the kitchen. Finally, he spent his fourth sharing a house with three other people. He didn't mind the dorms. I don't think he was really keen on the last shared house. He definitely seemed happiest when he was sharing a house with his friend. My son didn't have a great deal of choice as he had to take what was available, affordable, and practical at the time. He made friends more with people from his courses and shared interest groups than he did with the people he shared accommodation with.

I only shared a place with my husband. No room mates.

I was married when I was in college and lived at home.

I've never lived in a communal situation like this but I'm sure it could be a lot of fun.

When I was in college, I shared a two-bedroom apartment with 3 other roommates. It was fun and made it affordable to stay near the campus. It was not a commune. We had the choice of living in the dorms on campus or getting apartments if we were not close enough to drive from home. We were just all roommates who split the total rent and utilities 4 ways.

When I was in college, I lived at home . . . I had a car and only a 5 minute commute. But I was hardly at home except to sleep . . . I was either at school, work, or with friends.

I had flatmates when I was studying abroad. Student accomodation was shared and I had my own bedroom and bathroom. Kitchen and living room were shared spaces. Nowadays even young professionals live in shared houses because it's very difficult and very expensive to find an apartment.

Coz they like to have friends around..they are young.

I didn't experience this myself but I usually read of students complaining about their roommates more than enjoying living together. I get how hard it is at times to get along but I don't think it's always that bad.

I have always lived in the apartment of my parents while I was studying and I was very happy to live with them.

Yes, I can definitely relate to that feeling! While there's a sense of comfort being with family, there's also the allure of independence and the camaraderie of living with friends. It's a unique experience for everyone, and each choice comes with its own set of pros and cons.

it was cheaper. i wish i was in your position back then.

While I lived in the hostel a lot of my friends left and took apartments on rent and lived together. Said it was very economical and there did not have to follow any rules !!!