Last night, my friend whatsapped me and asked if I would consider sharing my flat. My friend was asking around for her friend, a 20-something girl from HK who had just returned from the UK and was looking to rent a room.
My answer? An outright ‘Unfortunately no’. Nothing personal of course, it’s just that I’m way past the age of having flatmates. Flat-sharing is the stuff of undergrads and the 20-somethings. Please don’t ask this set-in-her-ways 32-year-old to flat-share anymore. I love having this flat I’m in all to myself. And besides, my spare room is for my visitors and the third bedroom (a tiny tiny one) is used as a storeroom for all my stuff.
Yes, I have two bathrooms, but I still make use of both all the same. OK, the fridge is only 1/3 filled but at least I don’t have to label my food. I don’t have to bother about splitting household chores; I clean whenever I want (which is pretty often may I add). While I know having a flatmate can reduce the amount I pay on rent, I’d rather pay more than have to share the small flat with someone else. I mean who knows what people this 20-something will bring home? Or what bizarre habits she might have??
I’ve heard too many flatmate horror stories to want to share a flat with someone else while I can still afford to have my own place. I’ve already decided that unless the person(s) is family or my partner/husband, I’m never going to live with anyone else as long as I’m in HK. It’s just way too difficult. The thing about HK is that because flats are so small, you’re going to get in the other person’s way no matter what.
So yeah, definitely won’t be having a flatmate in HK!