Most people do it during their twenties but want to have private space as you get older. Shit wages not keeping up with rent or not being able to go full time for poor health mean there are lots of people sharing going into their 40's and 50's these days.
I'm only in my 30's but find shared living very hard. I have anxiety and manage very well but is a constant challenge and it struck me how unhealthy it is to be cramped in with virtual strangers with no realistic possibility of being able to set up on my own.
My other half is staying for a few days and we're either in my bed, or sitting on two hard chairs in my room if we're at home. There's no sitting room or kitchen table in the small kitchen. There's no room for an armchair or sofa in my room. My room isn't small but two wardrobes of clothes, desk and two chests of drawers just mean there's no extra space. My whole adult life has to fit in here.
Luckily I really like my home in other ways! It's warm and nice and the most affordable I can get. Mostly happy in it but it seems such a stressful and unnatural way to live as an adult. I'm sure if you were in a very shaky spot with mental health it could really be quite damaging to have to house share for years with people you don't know, moving in and out.
It's ok saying just move in with friends, but I don't have any friends in a similar situation anymore. Several have gone back to the family home, which I can't do. The rest are married with kids now.
AIBU to think it's not great for adults to live like this long term? Just a moany observation really!