While homesharing has many benefits, it is not without its challenges. Based on years of experience, there are even times when we might discourage an individual from homesharing. Some of the obstacles to happy homesharing include:
Clashing / strong personalities. It helps to be curious about others and their experiences, rather than judgmental; flexible rather than rigid. Know yourself, and have a clear-eyed view of what it's like to live with you.
Privacy concerns. Sharing space with others necessarily means you are not alone. While your housemate might see documents or overhear conversations, there are things you can do to protect your privacy. It is also possible to retrofit a home to provide higher levels of privacy by building walls, separate entrances, kitchenettes (rather than having a shared kitchen), and private outdoor spaces. For some people, privacy concerns are insurmountable.
Personal Security. There are two sides to the security aspect of homesharing. Some people want to homeshare because having another person around makes them feel more secure; for others, it’s the opposite. Know where on this spectrum you land.
Security of possessions. For those who have a lot of valuable possessions that they worry about, having another person around may not be ideal.
Uncertainty or possible instability: Financial or health instability does not make for satisfying homesharing. If you see yourself having to move soon, regardless of the reason, it might be best to not start the homeshare process.
What have we missed? Comment with any good reasons you know of to NOT homeshare.
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