Fed Up With Living Alone? Check out these alternatives

Some of us are perfectly content to live alone, enjoying our own company (or our pet’s), while making sure we fit in plenty of socialising on the side. For others, ‘home-alone’ just doesn’t feel comfortable. In fact, it can seem downright lonely! Whether you’re someone who likes to care for others, or who simply enjoys the feeling your home is being ‘lived in’ and shared, there are options. As you check out our suggestions below, be aware each comes with its own challenges as well as rewards, and before you make any decisions, there may be safety and legal implications you need to discuss with friends, family and professionals.

Company comes with help

As the world opens up again after the Covid pandemic, young (and older) folk are travelling again. Many are doing it by sharing homes in short-stay, work-exchange arrangements. Sometimes it’s to save money, and sometimes it’s as a way to explore a new culture. Either way, you can enjoy the company of your guests while they contribute to work you need doing around your home and garden. Two well known organisations that facilitate this kind of stay are Willing Workers on Organic Farms (don’t be put off by the ‘farms’ reference – you can insert ‘garden’ in its place!), and Workaway. You can thoroughly research both by going to their websites. They may be a win-win alternative to always living alone.

International Host

The return of travel also means New Zealand is again opening its doors to international students eager to experience the Kiwi way of life while studying at a wide range of educational institutions, from polytechs to schools. With this opportunity comes the need for Kiwi hosts to provide welcoming homes to these short or longer term students. HostfamiliesNZ, and Wintec are just two of many organisations who actively seek homestay opportunities around the country, but there are many more. Check the net for others, but also approach, directly, your local high school, college and tertiary institutions, to see if they are looking for home hosts. Offering a welcoming home to someone who is far from their own, can be immensely satisfying.

Seasonal and out-of-town workers

It’s no secret homes are hard to come by, and especially so for those who can’t commit to year-long tenancy agreements. Many of those who are in this position are seasonal workers (such as fruit-pickers), but others are also simply out-of-town folk (such as nurses or teachers) who leave their families, Monday to Friday, in order to find work. Offering them ‘board and keep’ on a part time or seasonal basis can help them out of a tricky situation while also providing you with company and a small income. To check out opportunities, approach your local ‘big’ employers such as PickNZ, hospitals and educational institutes, as well as churches, your local Budget Advisory Service, and WINZ.

Holiday accommodation

Those on holiday or travelling for work, don’t always require an entire home for their stay. In fact, solo travellers or couples often prefer a private room in a home as it can be less costly, while also providing local company and advice. Many return again and again. The beauty of providing accommodation via an internet site is you can take yourself off the listing when and if you require a break. Opportunities to provide private room accommodation can be found on AirBnB and Bachcare.

Couch Surfing

If the idea of offering accommodation completely free sounds off-putting – it needn’t be! The world has become a sharing, caring space, and many people don’t always require payment for what they offer. What’s more, in return, they can request the same generosity from others. CouchSurfing is an international, internet-based site dedicated to putting travellers in touch with hosts who can offer a welcoming place to sleep for a night or two, and a shower. Arrangements vary widely – the sleeping place can be anything from a bed, to a couch, to a sleeping mat on the floor (it’s up to travellers and hosts to negotiate with each other). Some hosts provide meals, some travellers offer to cook for their hosts. The site also offers the opportunity for locals and travellers to meet up for social activities, even if they’re not sharing a home. While most couchsurfers tend to be younger, seniors are also embracing the concept!

If your home needs filling, or you simply want occasional company, think about the suggestions above, and get advice on whether one of them may suit you!