Advice please - alternative to divorce

[Shazzbutt555]

DH and I in our mid 60’s been together 40 years but last decade plus really hasn’t been working for us. We tried couples counselling and an intensive conflict resolution course. Nothing has done much to repair. We fall into old patterns of behaviour. I am resigned I cannot change him and visa-versa.
Now trying just co-habitation without romance.
There is no romance left, we’ve been in separate bedrooms for 6+ years. We do get along when we’re not fighting. Main cause of conflict is our differing expectations of our relationship.
Thought we should try forgetting those expectations and just live like housemates. We both need somewhere to live after all!
it’s very expensive to live in separate houses.

Question is… Has anyone succeeded in staying in the same house but living separate lives, no longer a couple.

My great aunt and uncle did exactly that. They were both utterly miserable but I guess you could say they succeeded as this is the arrangement they had until death. Is that really the sacrifice you are willing to make to save a little money? Sixties is still rather young to be giving up on your romantic life like that.

DH and I in our mid 60’s been together 40 years
Same but slightly longer marriage. We divorced and are both happier for it. Neither of us needed a family sized home anymore, neither needed to be close to jobs, so we weren't tied down and could afford two smaller homes.

Whatever conflicts you have as a married couple will remain as housemates. Unless it was only about sex.

Maybe this option is a gentler path to full separation. I feel lighter in my soul, I think that’s because I am not carrying the weight of a relationship that no longer works but he looks crestfallen.
I also own a business that he has shares in and we enjoy a reasonable income from without having to work full time. He isn’t ready to let that go yet as his pension wouldn’t support him. If we sold up the business premises would go too.
I know it sounds like I hold all the cards but believe me I worked for this back along.