my best friend bought a super awesome townhouse 5 years ago. She got laid off from a job that had a ridiculous salary 4 months ago. One of the first things she did was get a roommate.

There's a perception that living with roommates is a very young or post college thing to do; and it's true in most cases. But in SF, it's very common across all age groups

It depends on the city you live in. In New York, there are successful people who still need roommates because the rent is so freakin' high.

i wouldn't have one past 30

There are options for those who live in NYC. Move to hick ass NJ or NY state - they get a bit cheaper, and you get more bang for your buck. The NY metro is expensive, so yeah, you're definitely screwed if you don't do some serious searching.

Anyway, at 30+, you have a career and stuff like that. Plus, if you were smart in your 20's, you should have savings and use that as a buffer if necessary -- and we're talking a few grand, more than a few. If you are not careful in life you will end up 35 and living with some 20 somethings to help pay rent. That just doesn't sound ideal.

For me, definitely not past 30.

I was over roomates before I hit 25. With that being said I have to go in the field for work every so often and find myself living in homes that my job will rent, base camps, field stations, etc. It ends up being like a summer camp situation I suppose.

I'm 26 and my roommate and I are moving in to separate apartments in September; we live in an area with high rent, which is why I wanted a roommate when I first moved out here, but I'm excited to live alone!

It's interesting, because my mom and I were just discussing this last night. I think having one or maybe two roommates in OK in your 20's, especially if you live in a city with high rent costs. After that, it obviously depends on the situation, but 30 would be the cutoff for me. I also think it's odd when people who are post-college have more than a few roommates. I know people who have five or six roommates and are well into their 20's. To each his/her own, but I just don't understand it.

I agree -- it depends on the circumstances. Some areas have outrageous cost of living, so having roommates is necessary.

As for me, I had roommates in college, and that was enough. Due to my personality, I preferred living alone. So after college, I lived alone, until I got married, in which case, I lived with my husband.

I'm 27 and live with my two best friends... I did the on-my-own and with-my-bf things for a while, but it's just a lot more fun to live with my girls. I can afford a place of my own but I choose to live with roomies for the good company

A lot of this is going to depend on the phase of life you're in...if you're still in grad school and single, then roommates would be a good thing. Some people have really long degrees, and don't graduate until they're in their 30s. As soon as you are seriously dating or are thinking about getting married, or have to deal with a good majority of people in that situation - it's probably time to get your own place.

Personally, I didn't mind roommates right out of HS, but by my junior year I was over the roommate thing. I'm 23 starting grad school, and I don't plan on having roommates ever again [except should I get in DESPERATELY SERIOUS financial straits].

I don't see the problem with having a roommate at any age. As long as it works between the roommates, it's no one else's business.

I wouldn't define it by age but by marital status. If you're engaged, married, or have a kid, then you shouldn't have roomates,

i'm 25 & i've been living alone for the last couple of years, but i'm moving out of my little studio & i keep thinking how fun it would be to have a roommate again. i miss coming home to a full house.

in general, yeah. i think engaged, married or having a kid should mean no roommates for you. i also said "over 30" you shouldn't have roommates, but who knows how i'll feel about that in 5 years when i'm in the "30 or over" category.

I don't anyone is in the place to judge other people's roommate situations. Why does it matter? I have a roommate now at 25 and I live in a big city. I actually don't have a single friend here who lives on their own- and that ranges from 23-30. Unless you want a tiny little studio or a crazy commute, then a roommate is the way to go here.

I lived alone for much of my 20s, and while it was nice to have the space, I got tired of spending so much money to live alone. Plus, I'd get lonely sometimes.

I found a roommate a few months ago, and my life is SO much better, seriously. We cook for each other, make each other laugh until we cry, and I'm able to spend less and live in a more exciting neighborhood. I could afford to live alone, but this way saves more money and makes my life better. Win-win.

Personaly I think the notion that one is too old for room mates is silly. When I first moved out on my own my first three room mates (not all at the same time) over ten years where high school friends. Within that ten years I ventured to live on my own but that only lasted six months until I found my self thirsty for that friendly conversation over coffee in the morning or some one to share a meal with now and then.

I've always had great room mates that have all become dear friends w/the exception of one. But I think the problem there is I was in a rush to move and didn't get to feel him out as much as the others and I only lived there for 3mnths. I think 7 wins and 1 loss over eighteen years is a good track record. The key is definitely taking time to get to know a potential room mate.

I never understood situations where people live together and they're for all itents and purposes strangers to each other. Passing each other and never going farther than saying hey. I think that's crazy. I could never live like that.

I think it all just boils down to personal need. If you have the personal need to have your own space and you don't crave social stimulus at home then live on your own if you can afford but in my case you're never too old.

Chrstne - hick ass NJ? I take offense to that!

I lived alone all through my 20's and loved it!

I don't think it has to do with age; I think it has to do with preference for roommates. I hate them! I've lived alone since Freshman year of college. I've never gotten sick of it, never had the desire for roommates. And my response to the "don't you get lonely?" question is a firm no. I go out 5 nights a week and entertain all the time. When I'm in my apartment alone its a relief!

If you live in SF, where it costs a fortune to live, sometimes having a roomie doesn't extend past age- just a matter of being practical.

Party, I'm the same way, which is why I'm excited to live alone. I love my roommate, but sometimes I just want to be alone. I don't entertain much, but I'm typically out about five nights a week and I work on weekend days, too. So, when I come home, I want to be alone sometimes!

I've never had a roommate but if I needed one at any age I wouldn't be ashamed. I wouldn't put an age limit on it by any means. Whatever works for you.

I never had a roommate, sometimes I regret that. It could've been more fun than on my own at times. But then again I am not sure how I would feel about it, I like my space and alone time.

Now I live with my boyfriend, its awesome, but its surely different than a roommate situation.

Honestly it depends on the person. I'm 27, have lived alone and with roomates and right now I'm just about in my ideal living situation. I live with my best friend of nearly twenty years (male) and his girlfriend who is a good friend of mine. We plan to do this for another year then they will get their own place and I'll be moving in with my boyfriend. I don't like living alone, I get way too bored and end up spending more time at friend's places than my own so it makes sense for me to just live with them...

I agree with Graylen. Needing/wanting roommates can't be defined by the stage you are in life, a relationship, or how much you make. It's just a personal decision. My BF and I currently have a roommate, a mutual friend of ours we've known for seven or eight years. We all get along fabulously and his work keeps him away for three to four weeks at a time. Usually by the time he's about to leave, I'm ready for him to get out of the house. But I do miss him when he's gone and always look forward to having a full house again.

Age is a silly way to determine whether or not you want a roommate. When four mostly-elderly ladies from my grandmother's church were widowed the same year, they all moved into one house together and are decidedly more happy than living on their own. They share the upkeep of the house (which was getting to be too much for one person alone) and have people to eat dinner with every night (which means a whole lot less loneliness). Everybody's happy and everyone is DEFINITELY over 30.

If you live in NYC, SF or any other city that has high rent rates, there is no age limit for having a roommate.

Never. It makes fiscal sense to have roommates, is great for social conditioning, and it beats moving back in with your parents, right? I think the only thing that really matters is whether you mesh well with your roommates. It's an increasing practice to take on roommates, and it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense not to other than to test your own autonomy or unless you feel people are disagreeable in such large doses (as an INFJ I can relate). Personally, I love the platonic company and the extra cash for totally pointless expenditures.

im 27 and am living alone for the first time - it's weird, but i like it!! it's incredibly expensive, though, so i will probably get a roommate for one more year so i can save more.

"If you live in SF, where it costs a fortune to live, sometimes having a roomie doesn't extend past age- just a matter of being practical."

I agree but I also find it so sad from an architectural stand point that so many homes in S.F. have been altered to accommodate the need for communal living. I know a lot of people don't having living/common rooms because their home is so packed with occupants. But like you said it's a matter of need not want.

while i loved living alone, in this economy i don't think it's strange to have a roommate. really it's smart to cut expenses and make a little extra if you can.

Somewhere between 25 and 30, but definitely 30 and over as a cutoff point. I've never liked having roommates though - I love living alone, although now I live with my partner.

I'd usually say over 30 but with this economy who am I to judge?

genesisrocks.. You're right in this kind of an economy who is to say what is too old to be financially safe.

Personally.. I am 23 and will definitely not have another roomate except when I get engaged (obviously different) or if I HAD to.

I live in an expensive area and have LOVED living alone (I'm 30). But, since paycuts curtailed party life, I can't help thinking that it would be nice to have live in friends...and some extra cash.

I'm 21 and done with roommates. I now live in a small one bedroom apartment with my dog and I LOVE IT! I never get lonely because I have friends I am constantly going out with. It's a lot easier to study and cook without roommates bothering me. Sometimes you just want to come home to a quiet place and relax.