Three hundred single people told their stories to Yle. In Helsinki, for example, more than half of all apartments are already occupied by people living alone.
– In the past I have lived in shared flats and also in a relationship, but now I live alone. I find that it gives me freedom and independence and I don’t have to argue with anyone about cleaning, for example.
Two weeks ago, we reported that more than half of all homes in Helsinki are already occupied by people living alone. In the same context, we asked for the public’s experiences of living alone. We received 300 responses.
The majority of respondents, over 80%, said they live on their own by choice.
Some of the respondents said they dreamed of a family, some had already divorced once.
Buying a home alone can be difficult
After the divorce, he has lived on his own for several years, but is in a relationship.
– Getting a mortgage required a lot of effort. I still feel that I don’t want to share my everyday life with anyone around the clock. However, we spend the weekends together. This suits both of them well, for example because of their different work rhythms.
Tea Sissonen also feels that acquiring an owner-occupied home in her current hometown of Helsinki might even be impossible on her own.
– Helsinki is a wonderful city, but housing costs are high. It could be that I’m actually moving out little by little to find cheaper housing. For example, Lahti could be a potential alternative, Sissonen thinks.
Many respondents hoped that society in general would take into account those who live alone in a more diverse way than at present.
A single parent is not necessarily lonely, let alone unhappy
Tea Sissonen has encountered many prejudiced images of people living alone.
– Perhaps it is generally thought that a person living alone is lonely. I myself have received such comments that you probably don’t really have a life. In fact, having your own apartment gives you the freedom to come and go as you please.
Although the majority of those living alone who responded to Yle’s survey are satisfied with their situation, being alone can also be overwhelming.
The quotes in the story are taken from the responses sent to Yle by the public. The identities of the defendants are in the confidential information of the department.
At the end of last year, there were a total of 1.28 million people living alone in Finland. The number has almost doubled since 1990.
One or two people live in the majority (78 percent) of Finnish homes.
*You can discuss the topic until Friday, November 18 at 11 p.m.*