What are the characteristics of people who are not suited to living in a shared house? Points to consider when choosing a place to live that suits you.

What is a share house?

A share house refers to a living arrangement where multiple residents share a single residence. Generally, each resident has their own private room, while facilities such as the kitchen, living room, and bathroom are shared. Share houses offer advantages such as lower rent and easier community building, making them a popular housing option, especially among young people and foreigners in urban areas.

Share houses are not just places to live; they are characterized by providing an environment where residents can live and interact with each other. Unlike typical rental housing, many share houses come furnished with furniture and appliances, which is one of their attractions as it reduces initial costs when moving in.

Furthermore, the styles of shared housing are also diversifying, including community-type shared housing that emphasizes interaction among residents, one-room shared housing that ensures greater privacy, luxury shared housing for business people, and concept-based shared housing that specializes in hobbies and lifestyles.

The popularity of shared housing and why

The popularity of shared housing stems from the following reasons:

1. Economic benefits

A major advantage of shared housing is that the rent is significantly lower compared to typical rental properties. Especially in urban areas, the rent for a studio apartment tends to be expensive, but with shared housing, you can have your own private room while significantly reducing costs by sharing common areas.

Furthermore, many properties come furnished with furniture and appliances, eliminating initial costs and reducing the financial burden of moving. Utilities such as water, electricity, and internet are often included in the rent, making monthly expenses more stable.

2. Ease of community building

One of the characteristics of a shared house is that it's easy for residents to interact with each other and build new relationships. In particular, for people who are moving to a new environment due to a job transfer or going to school, it's an advantage because they naturally have opportunities to make friends and are less likely to feel lonely.

Furthermore, there are concept-based share houses such as "international exchange type," "for creators," and "for sports enthusiasts," allowing you to live with people who share similar hobbies and values, leading to a stimulating daily life.

3. Convenience of daily life

In typical rental properties, you need to purchase furniture and appliances, but in share houses, they are often already provided, allowing you to start living there immediately after moving in. This is a particularly significant advantage for those considering a short-term stay or those who have no experience living alone.

Furthermore, many properties offer cleaning and maintenance services, making them popular among busy working professionals as they allow for a comfortable and hassle-free lifestyle.

4. Flexible contract arrangements

While typical rental properties often require a security deposit, key money, and a guarantor, share houses often have relaxed conditions regarding these matters, making them easier to enter into a contract. Furthermore, many properties offer short-term contracts, making them suitable for people who only want to live there for a short period, from one to a few months.

5. Realizing a new lifestyle

In recent years, new lifestyles such as "minimalism" (living with fewer possessions) and "multi-location living" have been gaining attention. Share houses are highly compatible with these lifestyles and are ideal housing for people who want to live a simple life without unnecessary possessions or who want to have multiple bases of residence.

Characteristics of people who are not suited to living in a shared house

While shared housing offers advantages such as economic benefits and easier community building, it's not suitable for everyone. In particular, depending on an individual's lifestyle and values, living in a shared house can be a source of stress. Here, we'll explain in detail the characteristics of people who are not suited to shared housing.

1. People who value privacy

Even with private rooms, complete privacy cannot be guaranteed.

While shared houses often have private rooms, the walls can be thin, and sound can leak through gaps in the doors. It can be difficult to have complete solitude, and you may be bothered by noises and sounds from your neighbors.

Furthermore, privacy-related problems can sometimes arise in shared housing. It's important to know specific countermeasures for issues such as "worrying about noise leaking from rooms" and "difficulty in ensuring privacy in common areas." For more details, please refer to "What are the privacy-related problems in shared housing? Solutions explained."

Use of shared spaces is mandatory.

You will need to share common spaces such as the living room, kitchen, and bathroom with other residents. This can lead to overlapping shower times in the morning and crowded kitchens, making it unsuitable for those who prefer to live at their own pace. Furthermore, since you cannot monopolize the common spaces, your free time and location will be limited.

Furthermore, laundry rules are another unique aspect of living in a shared house. It's important to be aware of things to keep in mind beforehand, such as "washing machine usage time," "securing a drying space," and "tips for avoiding conflicts with other residents." For specific rules and points to note regarding laundry, please refer to "What are the laundry rules in a shared house? Points to note explained," which provides a detailed explanation.

2. People who want to live in a quiet environment

Each resident has a different daily routine.

Share houses are home to people with diverse lifestyles, including students, working professionals, and freelancers. As a result, some people are active from early morning, while others work or converse late into the night. Because of these differing sleep schedules, it can be difficult to ensure a quiet environment, as there may be noises late at night or people waking you up early in the morning.

Noise problems are likely to occur in shared spaces and hallways.

Because the living room and kitchen are shared, it can get noisy when someone is cooking or inviting friends over. Also, sounds from the hallway and stairs, as well as the opening and closing of doors, can easily be heard, which is likely to be a source of stress for people who want to live in peace and quiet.

3. A person who is strict about rules and cleaning.

It can be stressful when your values ​​regarding rules don't align with those of others.

Share houses often have house rules, but the interpretation and adherence to those rules vary from resident to resident. For people who want to properly separate their trash or absolutely avoid noise, having residents who don't follow the rules can be stressful.

I sometimes feel dissatisfied with the frequency and methods of cleaning shared spaces.

Even if cleaning duties are assigned, residents may have different standards for cleaning. If you expect thorough cleaning but some residents do a sloppy job, dissatisfaction can easily build up. Also, while some share houses offer cleaning services, not all spaces are always kept perfectly clean, making them unsuitable for those who are fastidious about cleanliness.

4. People who are not good at communication

Interaction among residents is a prerequisite.

In a shared house, residents often see each other, and there are many situations where greetings and conversations are expected. Shared houses are not suitable for people who find even minimal communication painful.

There are opportunities to participate in events and collaborative projects.

In some shared houses, meals and events are held regularly to promote interaction among residents. Additionally, residents may be required to jointly clean common areas and manage supplies. This can be stressful for those who are not comfortable actively participating in such activities.

5. People who are hesitant about living with others.

The stress of sharing kitchens, bathrooms, etc.

In a shared house, you'll be sharing the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and other facilities with other residents. This means you might not always be able to use them when you want, and you might be concerned about the cleanliness after other residents have used them. This can be a major source of stress, especially for those who find kitchens and toilets unsanitary.

I often struggle with how to maintain a comfortable distance from other residents.

In a shared house, it's important to maintain a reasonable distance from other residents, but some people may be overly intrusive. For those who prefer to live at their own pace, having to be mindful of relationships with others can be a burden.

6. People who frequently want to invite friends or their significant other over to their home.

Many shared houses prohibit overnight stays for guests.

Many shared houses prohibit overnight stays to prevent people other than residents from frequently coming and going. This rule can be particularly inconvenient for those who want to invite friends or partners over often.

For example, Cross House's share houses strictly prohibit entry to anyone other than residents and management company personnel. This is to ensure the safety of residents, and even family and friends are not allowed on the property. However, in the case of furnished apartments, it is possible to invite family and friends to your room. However, care must be taken to avoid noise problems. For details, please check Cross House's official rules .

Having friends over too often can easily lead to trouble.

When strangers frequently come and go, security issues and problems with the use of common areas are more likely to occur. Therefore, a shared house is not a suitable living environment for people who want to easily invite friends over.

In particular, it's important to check beforehand whether the share house allows guests or completely prohibits them. To avoid feeling "this isn't what I expected" after moving in, be sure to carefully check the rules before signing the contract.

7. People who choose a shared house based solely on cost.

The rent may be cheap, but it could increase mental stress.

One of the attractions of a shared house is its relatively low rent, but if you only think, "I just want to live somewhere cheap," you may end up lowering your quality of life. Poor living habits among residents, bad house rules, and poor property management can make it difficult to live comfortably.

Ignoring the living environment and the quality of the residents can lead to regrets.

Share houses are home to people with diverse values, so if you move in without checking who your neighbors are beforehand, you may end up regretting it and thinking, "It wasn't a good fit for me." It's important not to judge solely on cost, but to check the property and your compatibility with the other residents beforehand.

Even for those who aren't suited to it, there are benefits to living in a shared house.

Share houses are often avoided by people who feel uncomfortable living with others or who think they would be too stressed to live with strangers. However, by taking advantage of the benefits of share houses, it is possible to overcome these anxieties and gain new experiences. Even people who feel that share houses are not for them may be able to reap the following benefits.

1. Improving communication skills

Useful for interpersonal relationships in work and daily life

In a shared house, you live with residents from different backgrounds, which naturally increases opportunities for communication. Even people who don't usually talk much can develop the habit of exchanging greetings and small talk, which can improve their interpersonal skills.

For example, for people who struggle with things like "not being able to talk to strangers" or "not being able to communicate smoothly in a team" at work, a shared house could be a practical training ground. By gradually becoming more comfortable interacting with others, it can have a positive impact on interpersonal relationships in both business and personal life.

You will have more opportunities to interact with people who have different values.

Share houses bring together people from diverse backgrounds, with varying ages, occupations, nationalities, and hobbies. This increases opportunities to interact with people who have different ways of thinking and values, allowing you to gain new perspectives.

For example, it's not uncommon to meet people from industries you've never been involved with before, such as freelancers, foreign residents, artists, and creators. This kind of environment can be a catalyst for gaining new ideas and inspiration, and it helps broaden your horizons.

Furthermore, living in a shared house that facilitates cross-cultural exchange allows you to be exposed to English and other languages ​​on a daily basis, which can lead to improvements in your language skills.

2. Economic benefits

You can reduce costs by sharing rent and utility bills.

One of the biggest advantages of living in a shared house is that you can save on rent and living expenses. In a typical single-person household, you have many expenses in addition to rent, such as utilities, internet fees, and the cost of purchasing furniture and appliances. However, in a shared house, these expenses are shared among the residents, so as a result, it is possible to live more economically than living alone.

Especially in urban areas, rents for studio apartments and 1K apartments are soaring, so using a shared house can help reduce fixed costs, allowing you to allocate that money to savings, hobbies, or self-investment.

Many properties come furnished with furniture and appliances.

In typical rental properties, you need to purchase essential items such as a bed, refrigerator, and washing machine when you move in. However, many shared houses come furnished with these items, significantly reducing initial moving costs.

Furthermore, since dishes, cooking utensils, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners are often shared, it's more cost-effective than living alone, which is another advantage.

Furthermore, the procedures for moving in and out are often simple, and many properties do not require a security deposit or key money, making them an economically advantageous option for those seeking short-term stays.

3. You can confirm your own aptitudes.

Trying it out for a short period of time can help you determine if it's right for you or not.

Whether or not a shared house is right for you is something you can only really know by actually living in one. Therefore, if you're interested but have concerns, or if you're hesitant about living in one long-term, it's a good idea to try it out for a short period.

Many shared houses offer short-term contracts of one month or several months, allowing for flexible options such as "try living there for a while and then look for another place to live if it doesn't suit me." Experiencing shared house living firsthand makes it easier to determine if it's right for you.

It will be a good opportunity to experience a different lifestyle.

Living in a share house allows you to experience a different lifestyle than living alone. For example, in a share house where there is a culture of eating together, you can enjoy a family-like lifestyle by cooking and eating meals together with other residents.

Furthermore, living together helps you develop skills in cooperating with others, making it a good training ground for those considering roommates or cohabitation with a partner in the future.

Furthermore, interacting with people you wouldn't normally meet in your daily life can lead to new hobbies or career opportunities. For example, business ideas might be born or new projects might start within the shared house, making it particularly suitable for people with an adventurous spirit.

Key points for choosing a property if you're not suited to living in a shared house.

Many people are interested in shared housing but hesitate due to concerns about living with strangers or privacy. However, with the right choice of property, it's possible to enjoy the benefits of shared housing while living comfortably.

To choose a property where even those who are not comfortable with shared housing can live with less stress, it is important to keep the following points in mind.

1. Share house with a private room

Secure your own private space

In most shared houses, you'll share living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and other common areas, but choosing a property with private rooms makes it easier to maintain your privacy.

Having a private room allows you to have your own space, creating an environment where you can relax even in a shared living situation. A fully private room type of share house is especially suitable for those who value their personal time or need an environment where they can concentrate on work or studies.

It's also important to check the size and amenities of the private room in advance. For example, whether there is enough desk, chair, and storage space, as well as whether there is air conditioning and a window, are all important factors for a comfortable stay.

Check if soundproofing is available.

In shared housing, the walls in private rooms are often thinner than those in regular rental properties, so noise from neighboring rooms can be bothersome. Checking whether soundproofing is adequate is an important point to consider before moving in.

Specifically, you should check the following points.

• Are the walls thick, or are soundproofing measures in place?
• Is the door soundproof? (Wooden or thin doors tend to leak sound easily.)
• Is there a shared space right next to the private room?
• Will I be bothered by noise from other residents' daily lives? (If possible, check this during the viewing.)

In a well-soundproofed share house, you can relax and live comfortably without worrying about noise from your surroundings, even at night.

2. A shared house with clearly defined rules.

Check if cleaning and living rules are clearly defined.

In a shared house, having clear rules regarding things like taking out the trash, cleaning common areas, and noise reduction is crucial for a comfortable living experience.

In a shared house with ambiguous rules, the following problems may occur:

• The shared spaces are always dirty.
• Some residents make noise until late at night.
• Garbage is not disposed of properly.
• Troubles between residents are likely to occur.

To avoid such problems, it is important to check the rules and management system of the shared house in advance.

For example, you might want to check the following points:

• Is there a cleaning schedule, or is the management company responsible for cleaning?
• Are there rules for disposing of garbage?
• Are there any measures in place to address nighttime noise (such as setting quiet hours)?
• Are the rules regarding pets (allowed/not allowed) and smoking (allowed/not allowed) clear?
• Check the management system to avoid disputes between residents.

When disputes arise between residents, it's crucial to consider whether the management company or owner will handle them appropriately. In some shared houses, management is inadequate, and problems may be left unresolved.

Key points of the management system to check in advance

• Is there a place where residents can seek advice regarding problems between them?
• Is there a high turnover of residents? (Share houses with many problems tend to have a high turnover of residents who move out after a short period of time.)
• How does the management company deal with people who break the rules?

In a shared house with clear rules and good management, there will be fewer conflicts among residents, and you can live with peace of mind.

3. Choose a small-scale shared house.

Smaller properties with around 5-10 people are less stressful.

Share houses come in various types, from large ones (20 or more people) to small ones (around 5-10 people). While large share houses can be lively and fun, interpersonal relationships can easily become complicated, leading to stress.

On the other hand, a small-scale share house with 5 to 10 people allows for communal living while maintaining a comfortable distance, making it ideal for those who are not good at socializing. A key feature is that relationships between residents don't become too close, making it easy to maintain a healthy distance.

Advantages of small-scale shared housing

• It allows residents to maintain a reasonable distance from one another.
• The shared spaces are less crowded (there are fewer waits to use the kitchen and shower rooms).
• It is easy to understand the residents' daily routines.

Choosing a shared house with a moderate number of people allows you to build relationships naturally while also having your own time, resulting in a less stressful lifestyle.

4. Choose a property that allows short-term stays.

First, try living there to see if it suits you.

If you're unsure whether a shared house is right for you, it's best to choose a property that offers short-term contracts. Many shared houses allow short-term contracts of one to several months, so you can try living there first and then move out if it doesn't suit you.

Advantages of short-term contracts

• Since you can move out immediately, the risk of not being able to live in a shared house is reduced.
• You can actually live there and judge the compatibility with the residents and the environment.
• Once you've settled in, you can switch to a long-term contract.
• Because initial costs are kept low, the risk of failure is reduced.

In typical rental properties, initial costs such as security deposits, key money, and brokerage fees tend to be high, but in share houses, initial costs are often set lower, which can reduce the financial burden.

By choosing properties that allow short-term stays, even those who are interested in shared housing but have concerns can easily try it out.

summary

While shared housing offers attractive benefits such as economic advantages and community building, it's not suitable for everyone. For those who value privacy, prefer a quiet environment, or easily find communal living stressful, the disadvantages may outweigh the advantages.

However, even those who feel it's not for them can potentially live comfortably by taking measures such as choosing a share house with private rooms, looking for a property with clear rules, choosing a property with a small number of residents, or trying a short-term stay.

Furthermore, living in a shared house offers several benefits, including improved communication skills, opportunities to interact with people who have different values, reduced living costs, and the discovery of new lifestyles. Even if you feel anxious about living in a shared house for the first time, carefully checking the property's conditions beforehand and choosing an environment that suits you will help you achieve a more fulfilling life.

Whether a share house is right for you is something you often can only find out by actually experiencing it. If you're interested, one option is to choose a property that allows short-term stays and try it out first. Choose a living environment that suits you, make the most of the benefits of share housing, and enjoy a comfortable life.