My DS (age 20) is a sophomore at a large state university where most of the students move off campus after freshman year.

I am on the Facebook group for off-campus housing for the college town, because my DS is hoping to lease his apartment out over the summer, and the Facebook group is open to both students and parents.

I've noticed that 99 percent of the students who post are looking for same-sex roommates. Granted, these are just anecdotes.

Anonymous wrote:I would not allow this if I was paying for school and living expenses. If they want to play house, they need to be paying for it.

+1.

I think freshman year is too young but by junior year people have a better idea of each other's personalities, for roommates and for BF/GF who can be a roommate.

Anonymous wrote:It’s not very common in college.

Its more common in grad/professional school.

It would've been even more difficult for William, with restrictions of being the crown prince. Kate probably would've married some rich businessman like her sister.

It’s not very common in college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It worked out long-term for Kate and William.

Just one example out of millions.

Good for them, especially William. Harry didn't go to college and club dating was really unsuccessful for him.

Anonymous wrote:It worked out long-term for Kate and William.

Just one example out of millions.

Like everything else, its a people dependent decision. May work great for some couples, disaster for others and no big deal for the rest.

It worked out long-term for Kate and William.

A couple of my friends did this in college. They are married now, so it worked out. A group of friends rented a house and they got the master bedroom. They had been together since freshman year and were not engaged yet but we’re planning on it. Both sets of parents were happy to save on rent.

I can see why some parents would be wary, but I think it really depends on the situation.

Yup if there is a dramatic break up, it can be an issue. Not everyone is mature enough to remain civil. That's an issue for non-romantic roommates as well.

My concern would be what happened if they break up? They are now stuck in a lease with their ex and that can make for a difficult situation.

Anonymous wrote:Very complicated in the event of a break up.

I would frown up on this strongly.

I have no desire for my kid to settle down that young.

My main concern would also be about what would happen if there was a breakup. I'm still together with the guy I started dating at 19, so I'd be hypocritical if I'd criticize my kids for that. So it wouldn't be a worry about them "playing house" on my dime, on the contrary, I'd rather pay more to have my kids live without their SOs at that age/life stage, even if they spent most of their time at their SOs's place (and having sex, goes without saying.)

It can be very helpful in managing stress caused by loneliness, financial, academic and social pressures. More so if you are also trying to navigate through uncertainties of a global pandemic.