The ups and downs of renting.
Most Irish people in their 20s are in shared accommodation because mortgages aren’t fun and you’d rather spend your money on holidays and socialising.
There are a lot pros and cons involved in sharing a house or apartment though, and here’s a list of 15 things you’ll have experienced at least once.
1. The game of litter Jenga that takes place before someone takes out the bin.
Choose your move carefully, and never give in.
2. You almost get caught stealing borrowing something from your housemate’s press.
A mini heart attack and an awkward facial expression usually follows.
3. Having to take a cold shower in the morning.
A lot of people and not a lot of water equals a chilly start to the day.
4. Having the same conversation every day of the week.
“Hi, how are you? Great, yeah, not too bad, work was grand, same old ding-dong, you know yourself, any plans for the night.”
They’re the first 24 words that will usually come out of someone’s mouth in the evening.
5. The internet is really slow because someone is downloading movies.
It takes three hours to watch an episode of House of Cards because it keeps buffering. You still watch it, but it’s annoying. Ugh.
6. Hearing your housemate have sex and being unable to look them in the eye the following day.
The creaking bed noises and groan(s) of pleasure will live with you forever.
7. The introduction of a cleaning rota
A cleaning rota will be introduced by the cleanest person in the house as a subtle message for the dirtiest person in the house.
8. Starving in the evening because there’s a queue for the cooker.
You’re ready to get stuck into spaghetti bolognese, but you get home and two people are ahead of you so you have to wait to use the cooker.
9. The awkward stand-off over who is going to take over what bill.
Gas, ESB, Sky and broadband all have to be paid by someone, but nobody wants the responsibility. It’s a real waiting game.
10. Meeting the house recluse once every three months.
The guy that lives in the box room at the top of the stairs, he leaves early in the morning, gets home late at night, and never seems to eat.
11. A sleep-in being wrecked on a Saturday morning.
There’s nothing more annoying that the sound of a vacuum cleaner being enthusiastically swiped around the place at 9am on a Saturday morning. Why?!
12. Pretending to like a crap TV show because you’re too polite to change channel.
No, I do not like Catfish, but will I say it to my fanatical housemate? God no, I’d rather sit through it for an hour instead.
13. The turf wars over sharing a fridge.
Everyone has their designated section of the fridge, but there’s always one that doesn’t play by the rules, and you end up with a load of veg all up in your space.
14. Spending the whole weekend by yourself because everyone goes home.
Irish people love going “home home” for the weekend, which can lead to some lonely times for the person left behind.
15. Reconstructing the night before over jambons, breakfast rolls and potato wedges.
The house is full of sore heads and you offer each other reassurance that, “you aren’t a disgrace and everything will be OK,” as you stuff your face with temperature deli food.
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