For many years, Americans have dreamed of eventually acquiring and settling into a home with their partner. The classic image includes a white picket fence, a yard, children, and perhaps a dog.

However, more people are broadening that dream by choosing to cohabitate with friends, even when it’s not a financial requirement. This trend has even gained traction among some celebrities. In 2021, Jameela Jamil shared on social media that she and her partner, musician James Blake, live with two of their closest friends.

“Living with my three best friends still, even in my thirties, is the most incredible experience,” Jamil expressed. “I cherish these people. I expected life to be more conventional by now. I hope we always live together, growing old in our little British commune.”

With the housing market making homeownership increasingly difficult, living with friends is becoming commonplace for many. Experts note that this shift also reflects a change in how friendship is perceived in today’s society. Rather than neglecting friendships in favor of family, more individuals are placing equal importance on friends and are structuring their lives to prioritize these relationships. This approach is vital in addressing the rising issue of loneliness, which has reached epidemic levels.

“In our younger days, we lived with friends during college, which many of us fondly remember as a happy time. However, as we grew older, the American dream shifted to owning a single-family home, which is often located far from friends and family,” explains Liz Moody, a wellness author who previously explored this subject on her podcast “The Liz Moody Podcast.” “We are currently experiencing heightened feelings of isolation alongside an alarming rise in loneliness in this country.”

Celebrities like Charli XCX and Jameela Jamil opt for roommate living

Jamil isn’t alone in her choice; Charli XCX shared with Architectural Digest in 2019 that she resides with three roommates, including two lifelong friends, in her Los Angeles house.

“It’s really the people you share your space with that turn it into a true home,” the pop singer commented. “The energy here is vibrant and lively; it allows us to meet many other creative individuals through our home. I find this experience very fulfilling, and I believe that’s a big part of what makes our house special.”

Moreover, Margot Robbie revealed to news.com.au in 2016 that even during her rise to stardom from films like “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Suicide Squad,” and “The Legend of Tarzan,” she and her then-boyfriend Tom Ackerley shared their London apartment with four roommates.

Moody notes that choosing to live with roommates isn’t solely a financial decision. Sometimes it’s simply about companionship. After all, celebrities can experience loneliness as well.

“Celebrities often feel just as isolated, sometimes even more so than others. We idolize them, perceiving their lives as incredibly glamorous, while in reality, those same lifestyles can lead to deeper isolation,” she explains. “Human connection is crucial for our well-being, and this applies to celebrities as much as it does to anyone else.”

It’s not only famous individuals opting for shared living arrangements. Rhaina Cohen, author of “The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center,” mentions that she and her husband have been cohabitating with friends in Washington, D.C., for the past three years.

Despite the lower cost of living alone in their rent-controlled apartment, Cohen shares that the rewards of living with friends are priceless.

“Friends can become just as significant as anyone you would choose to share life’s major moments with, such as finances or your living space,” she states. “For many, this raises questions about traditional expectations and invites a closer look at their own preferences.”

While Cohen enjoys shared living with both her husband and friends, she recognizes that it isn’t suitable for everyone — and that’s perfectly fine. What really matters, she emphasizes, is that people are aware that living with friends is a possibility.

“I don’t mean to imply this is the ideal living situation for everyone; people have various preferences,” Cohen clarifies. “This lifestyle has not always been acknowledged as a valid choice. But that perspective is changing.”

Benefits of Living with Friends

For those who do share living spaces with friends, the benefits are plentiful, though there are also considerations to keep in mind.

Psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis advises that it’s essential to select roommates who share similar values and lifestyles.

“This arrangement isn’t meant for everyone, but for many, it offers a chance to check in with someone at the start and end of the day, and to find solace in sharing meals,” she remarks, noting that living with others can significantly help alleviate loneliness.

Moody adds that sharing a home with friends transforms the way connections are built. For those living alone, arranging get-togethers with friends can be challenging, especially when distance is a factor. When they finally do meet, a lot of that time is spent catching up on past events.

However, when friends are also your roommates, you can forge deeper connections through everyday interactions.

“Experiencing life together is what fosters connection and strengthens relationships,” Moody explains. “Engaging in activities like grocery shopping, cooking dinner, working together, gardening, or playing sports – all of these moments contribute to building meaningful memories, and communal living greatly enhances those opportunities.”