Moving out on your own for the first time can be a daunting prospect, and it’s not made any less so by the difficulty of finding roommates to help share all those newfound expenses. Even in the digital age, connecting with someone that has a compatible lifestyle, habits, and sensibilities can be pretty challenging. Add in the complications of rising cost of living and wage disparities, and you can find yourself in a situation where it seems like the only one who can live with you is… you.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that there has been a shift in the living habits of the American people. According to US Census data, an estimated 15% of American adults live by themselves – a number that has more than doubled in the last fifty years. But the fact that more people are doing it doesn’t make living alone any easier – so what are you supposed to do?
Living alone isn’t without its problems. There isn’t a helping hand around to share the burden when it comes to chores and housework. Social isolation can be a real problem, especially in our modern digital society. And of course, if something happens to you at home, no one else is around to call for help or assist you. That’s why in today’s blog, we’re highlighting a few things you can tackle to make living alone a safe, healthy, and happy experience!
Staying Safe
One of the keys to living alone is getting creative about how you guarantee your security – and that of your possessions and anything else that’s important to you. We’re not just talking about preventing criminal activities, either. Important safety considerations include:
- Meeting your neighbors. When you live alone, meeting your neighbors can be especially important, since they’re the ones who are most likely to notice any unusual activity or changes around your home. They’re also more likely to help if they think you’re in trouble than a stranger or passerby might be.
- Increase security. Living alone does come with certain risks – namely that you’re the only one coming and going, so your house may be easier to target for someone with bad intentions. Having a security system, installing a fence, or maybe even getting a guard dog can all go a long way toward deterring these types of threats. And of course, staying vigilant when you’re coming and going is critical too.
- Keep your phone close. One of the best things you can do when living on your own? Make sure you keep your cell phone handy in case of emergencies. For most of us, this isn’t an issue – but if you don’t have a cell phone or don’t keep it around regularly, it may be a good habit to make if you plan to live alone.
Protecting Yourself
If you’re renting an apartment or condo, chances are good that your landlord has some sort of property insurance. But chances are also good that in the event of a problem, it won’t cover everything – and your needs are probably among the first to go. So making sure that you have adequate insurance coverage can make a big difference and provide a whole lot of peace of mind.
- Insure your home. Protecting your home and its contents with insurance can be an important piece of the puzzle in case something bad happens. Renters and homeowners policies can help you replace personal property that’s damaged in the event of a fire or other disaster.
- Insure yourself. Of course, when you live alone and are relying on a single income to pay the bills, you are your most valuable asset. If you were injured and unable to work, you don’t have a backup to keep yourself afloat – so investing in a short- or long-term disability policy can make a big difference in the event that you find yourself out of a job.
