People sometimes have the idea of banding together and buying a huge house to share, then living (at least partly) communally. Here's an example:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/aug/17/housing-co-op-the-drive-living-collectively
On the surface it seems like quite a good idea, if only because the scope for living in nice surroundings increases greatly. Although your own private square footage might even be less than if you owned/rented a small house, it would feel much larger because of the possibility of always stepping into the larger shared areas. If you had children, I imagine that it would be a dream existence for them, and you'd never be short of conversation, fellow DIY helpers, darts players and beer drinkers. The nearest I have come to trying it has been student days, but poverty and inexperience might have tempered the joys somewhat! There have been holidays with extended family and friends, and it's always been great - as long as I have had a private space to retreat into. Something tells me that the wife wouldn't be so keen; does the shared house idea appeal more to men than women?
(In case anyone saw it, I did start a previous thread on people's attitude to work, but I think it was taken down after being mistaken for a research project! Can I reassure any readers that I was just asking the question out of curiosity. Obviously I worded it too much like a questionnaire, and someone couldn't believe that anyone would want to talk about that subject for enjoyment!)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/aug/17/housing-co-op-the-drive-living-collectively
On the surface it seems like quite a good idea, if only because the scope for living in nice surroundings increases greatly. Although your own private square footage might even be less than if you owned/rented a small house, it would feel much larger because of the possibility of always stepping into the larger shared areas. If you had children, I imagine that it would be a dream existence for them, and you'd never be short of conversation, fellow DIY helpers, darts players and beer drinkers. The nearest I have come to trying it has been student days, but poverty and inexperience might have tempered the joys somewhat! There have been holidays with extended family and friends, and it's always been great - as long as I have had a private space to retreat into. Something tells me that the wife wouldn't be so keen; does the shared house idea appeal more to men than women?
(In case anyone saw it, I did start a previous thread on people's attitude to work, but I think it was taken down after being mistaken for a research project! Can I reassure any readers that I was just asking the question out of curiosity. Obviously I worded it too much like a questionnaire, and someone couldn't believe that anyone would want to talk about that subject for enjoyment!)
