When I started a six-month internship in Edinburgh, I knew I could not afford to rent a studio on my own. A shared flat seemed the most realistic option, but I was worried about living with people I had never met before. I spent several evenings comparing online adverts, looking at rent, transport, house rules, and whether bills were included. One flat was cheap, but it was far from the office and the photos made the kitchen look dark and crowded. Another was modern and central, but the rent was higher and the contract required a full year.
The third place was somewhere in the middle. It was a three-bedroom flat about twenty minutes from work by bus, and the monthly cost included internet and water. When I went to view it, the two current flatmates, Sara and Joel, showed me around. They were friendly without trying too hard, and they spoke honestly about daily life in the flat. They liked having a quiet atmosphere during the week because both of them worked early, but they were happy to invite friends over at weekends if everyone knew in advance.
That balance sounded sensible to me. Before making a decision, I asked practical questions about cleaning, shared shopping, and how they divided fridge space. They already had a simple schedule for household jobs, and each person bought their own food except for a few basic items such as milk and washing-up liquid. I also liked the fact that the landlord offered a six-month contract, which matched the length of my internship. By the time I left the viewing, I felt much less nervous.
The first week in the flat was still a little awkward because we were all learning each other’s routines. One evening, though, we sat down in the kitchen and agreed on a few expectations: message the group if guests are coming, keep noise low after 10 p.m., and replace shared items when they run out. After that, everything became easier. We did not become best friends immediately, but the flat felt comfortable, respectful, and easy to live in. I realised that sharing a home with new people depends less on luck than on clear communication.