The two thirty-somethings, Aaron and Jenny, met during their student days and became roommates almost as a joke when both needed a new place to live.

“I joked to Aaron that he was probably the only friend I could live with,” Jenny recalls.

The idea stuck, and eventually, sharing an apartment felt like a natural solution for both. According to Jenny, it was a huge advantage that her roommate was already a good friend — she knew his personality and habits before moving in together.

“With a friend, I felt confident that our everyday routines would work out,” Aaron points out.

And indeed, they have. Aaron and Jenny describe themselves as introverts who value their space and privacy.

In their 77-square-metre apartment, each has their own bedroom, and their pets — Jenny’s dog Jupiter and Aaron’s cats Livia and Mori — fit comfortably under the same roof.

Even though they share a home, they don’t have to live by the same schedule.

Jenny, a software developer, spends most of her day working remotely, while Aaron, a practical nurse, follows a shift schedule. The different work hours sometimes lead to funny situations: Aaron might be heading to bed after a night shift just as Jenny starts her workday.

“Sometimes, Aaron makes coffee with his noisy capsule machine, and it startles me every time,” Jenny laughs. “We’ve agreed that Aaron will give me a heads-up before he makes coffee.”

When it comes to household chores, like cleaning, both admit they tend to procrastinate.

“Neither of us is a clean freak. On the plus side, our standards for tidiness are similar. The best thing about having a roommate is that sometimes, someone else ends up cleaning your mess,” Aaron notes.

Aaron and Jenny say that one of the biggest perks of having a roommate is splitting living costs, which allows them to afford a bigger space at a reasonable price. However, living with a roommate isn’t just about saving money; it also brings social comfort.

“It’s nice to have someone at home to share the everyday moments with,” Jenny summarises.

They both find it strange to think that if someone doesn’t have a partner, they’re expected to live alone. Humans are social creatures who need others around them, Jenny says.

“Sometimes, the family consists of two single adults, two middle-aged cats, and a puppy,” Aaron adds.

Over the past seven years, they have accumulated many fond memories of their time living together. One of Aaron’s favourite memories is their first Christmas together—or rather, the preparations leading up to it.

“I have warm memories of how we set up Christmas in our new home. We even bought a cheap plastic Christmas tree! It had such a great atmosphere.”