Living with friends or family can be great for a season, but nothing beats having a place to call your own. My husband and I have experienced our fair share of both while we have been together and what can we say, we love having our own place. Here are some reasons why.

1. You get to eat whatever you want.

It’s great not having to coordinate meals with other people you are living with or have to share a fridge that is always full of someone else’s food. There’s also no one to criticize what you eat. Yes, it’s great filling the fridge with all of your own food and having the freedom to eat as much of it, and any of it, whenever you want.

2. Eating whenever you want.

I am a fan of late night snacks, so I love not having to worry about waking everyone up while I’m rummaging through the kitchen at midnight.

3. Arranging your own furniture.

It’s fun getting to lay out the house just how you want. The couches, the chairs, and the bed wherever you want it. You can be creative and mix it up.

4. Wearing whatever you want around the house.

It’s nice not having to look presentable every time you leave your room. You can be comfy and lounge around in your underwear if you want.

5. You can turn up the music.

There’s no one to complain about you playing music at night or a little loud, just as long as you aren’t so loud you’re disturbing your neighbors.

6. You can decorate however you want.

It’s fun getting to design how your own house or apartment looks. I personally like to decorate with my seashells everywhere.

7. No rules!

Anytime you live in someone else’s house there is always some long list of rules you live in constant fear of breaking. I hate always having to worry about pleasing people and not accidentally upsetting them. In your own house, there are no rules, and if there are its ones you set yourself and have the freedom to change or break as you please. There’s no one else to yell at you or lecture you. I can’t begin to tell you how big of a relief this is.

8. You can be as messy or neat as you like.

When you live on your own there’s no one to nag at you for the few dishes you left in the sink. You can clean on your own time. I personally am not a neat freak, I like to let things get a little messy then clean them and it’s great being able to do that. There’s no one to interrupt you and tell you to go clean the bathroom, you can do it on your own time without anyone demanding you to do so.

9. You can invite people over whenever you want.

It’s great being able to invite your friends over whenever you want. Whenever you feel like hanging out. You can invite whoever you want over and not have to discuss it with your other housemates first. Or you also have the freedom to not have anyone over.

10. Peace and quiet.

It’s great having your own space because you can have as much peace and quiet as you need. I can only handle being around people so much then I need my own space and some me time to regenerate. It’s nice having the house to yourself to do that, to just relax at home and be alone.

11. You can have whatever pets you want.

Living with other people can be challenging when they don’t like certain pets or any pets. When you’re on your own, you can have your own pets that you love and not have to worry about your housemates’ preferences or allergies.

As you can see, living on your own has many perks. I’m sure there are many I haven’t mentioned as well. It’s great just having the freedom to live how you want in your own space without anyone telling you what to do. It’s refreshing living on your own. After experiencing a variety of different living situations, I have to say living on my own is my favorite.