- I decided to live alone in college because I wanted independence and control over my living space.
- Living alone as a college student taught me how to be independent and build community.
I never wanted to live alone as a college student. I have always been a social butterfly who enjoys spending time with friends, so living alone sounded isolating. But after three years in college, that's exactly what I did.
I started college in 2019, sharing a dorm room with a roommate — and a living room and bathroom with a suite mate — at Central Michigan University. However, when the pandemic moved classes online in the middle of my freshman year, I moved back in with my parents to attend a local community college.
Moving home gave me financial freedom to pursue career opportunities that I otherwise couldn't do with a monthly rent bill, but I missed the independence of moving out.
Two years later, I transferred to Wayne State University in Detroit. Even though the campus was about 40 minutes from home, I knew this was the perfect time to get a place of my own.
I felt intimidated about moving to a big city alone, but my desire for control over my living space overrode the anticipated challenges. After finding a surprisingly spacious studio within my price range, I signed a lease and moved to Detroit — on my own.
Living alone helped me become more independent and resourceful
The first months were an adjustment. I didn't know what to do with the abundance of alone time. But as time progressed, I grew to love it.
I could come and go as I pleased without disturbing roommates. The privacy was great for working and attending remote therapy. My newfound control over my space was freeing. Most importantly, I did not need to worry about bothering a roommate if my space was not clean.
Before moving out, I was scared to do things alone. My fear of strangers judging me for sitting by myself at a restaurant or a concert kept me from doing many things. But living alone pushed me to attend those events by myself. I didn't have a roommate I could do things with, and friends weren't always available. I grew to like doing things by myself — like sitting at a bar or concert alone and chatting with strangers.
This opened opportunities to develop new hobbies. I sought out community events that interested me, attended cooking classes, and volunteered at a community garden. Doing fun things is no longer contingent on whether a friend is available to join me.
This didn't mean I isolated myself. I formed a building group chat and organized tenant meetings to build community with fellow neighbors and share resources. I quickly befriended several neighbors, which helped me feel more connected to the people around me.
But I'm now moving in with a roommate for my last year of college
I loved living alone, but it isn't for everyone. Taking full responsibility for paying rent and utilities got expensive.
Handling full time work is difficult as a student taking demanding course loads, so I juggled a mix of part-time employment and freelance writing to make ends meet.
Some months, I hardly made rent. I'm grateful that my parents helped me with certain bills and fronted me when a check wouldn't come in time — a major reason I could live alone in the first place.
I was already struggling to pay rent, and this year's lease renewal came with a $50 increase. I had to make a tough decision: Do I want to spend my last year in college working harder than ever to pay rent? Was it worth living alone if it meant working myself into the ground to afford it?
In two months, I'm moving into an apartment with my friend that is closer to campus and almost $200 less in rent. I can take advantage of biking and transit infrastructure instead of driving to campus every day. I'm also looking forward to the companionship that comes with having a roommate again.
Most importantly, I can spend my sixth and final year of undergrad getting more involved in campus life.
I will miss living alone, but I know I will find new ways to thrive living with a roommate.
Alex Klaus is a freelance reporter and writer based in Detroit, Michigan. Connect on LinkedIn or X.