Loneliness Awareness Week: Choosing the right flatmate can make all the difference
Loneliness Awareness Week starts on 9th June 2025. Most people think loneliness is something that only affects people later in life. But actually, 16-24-year-olds are the loneliest age group in the UK. In fact, if you're aged 16–29, you're twice as likely to feel lonely as someone over 70.
It sounds surprising, especially in a world where we're more connected than ever through our phones and social media, but we're often missing real connection. The kind that comes from casual everyday conversations.
Why flatsharing can help
Starting university, moving to a new city for work, or going through a breakup - these are some of the most common reasons people experience loneliness. They're also some of the most common times people find themselves looking for somewhere new to live.
Gillian Sandstrom, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Essex, found that even casual interactions with people we don’t know well - like flatmates - can significantly boost our happiness and sense of belonging.
Whilst living with people can be a powerful way to ease loneliness, living with the wrong person can make things worse. That's why choosing the right flatmate can be just as important as choosing the right flat.
So, ask yourself these questions before you move in:
5 questions to ask when choosing a flatmate:
1. Am I looking for a new best friend?
If you're moving to a new city, starting university, or going through a big life change, you might be hoping for a flatmate who can also be a friend - someone to chat with after a long day.
But not everyone is looking for the same thing. Being honest about what you're looking for can help avoid mismatches that leave you feeling lonelier in the long run.
2. Should I live with friends?
It sounds like a no-brainer: live with someone you already know and like, right? But interestingly, 55% of renters told us they'd rather live with a stranger than a friend.
Why? Because living with friends can put pressure on your friendship - and if things go wrong, you risk losing a support system rather than gaining one. Living with someone new can give you the chance to build fresh, low-pressure connections that can grow naturally.
3. Are your routines compatible?
If you're up early for work and your flatmate likes cooking dinner at midnight, you might barely cross paths.
Think about your daily routine and ask about theirs: work hours, social life, work-from-home days. The more overlap you have, the easier it is to naturally connect through casual conversations. Even a quick “hi” in the kitchen or a chat about the weather can make a real difference to how connected you feel.
4. Have I met everyone?
If you're moving into an existing flatshare, don’t just meet one or two people - meet them all. Even if one flatmate is super social and welcoming, the overall vibe of the household matters.
If you don't gel with everyone, you may end up feeling like an outsider in your own home so it’s worth taking the time to meet everyone.
5. What have you got in common?
Shared interests can spark those little connections that make all the difference. Whether you're after a gym buddy, a fellow Bake Off fan or someone to talk football with, shared interests spark the kind of everyday chats that prevent loneliness even if you don't turn into besties.