After years of living alone, a 42-year-old woman has moved in with her best friend – and says it’s better than living with a partner.
When Claira Hermet’s tenancy wasn’t renewed, she hatched a plan to find a new place to live – accompanied by pal Mindy Juss, 32.
Both single, the friends – who had previously travelled the US together – have now been living together for a year, and even plan on getting a joint mortgage.
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While other people are settling down and setting up homes with partners, the two women say their way of doing things is better.
“We’ve been living together for over a year now, and it’s been a really positive thing,” Claira, a London-based female empowerment coach, told What’s The Jam.
“It’s better than living with a partner.
“We equally share chores, individually do our own washing, and we take turns to cook.
“We have similar interests and do things together, but also have our own lives, and we can share clothes.
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“We have open and honest communication, and there are never arguments.”
Claira decided to follow the belief system of “prioritising joy” and focusing on the things that make her happy – and one of those things was moving in with her friend in September 2024.
Claira, who has been single for seven years, believes that companionship is an important part of living and our general well-being, but that it doesn’t have to take the form of a romantic relationship.
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She said: “There are many more single people now, and as we know, for humans, company and companionship are imperative to our well-being.
“I know many women grow up thinking that finding a man, a relationship, was the be-all and end-all, but actually, I believe being happy is.
“Sometimes life doesn’t go to the ‘plan’ or work out how we ‘expected’, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be great and wonderful nonetheless.”
As for any downsides to their unusual set-up?
Claira joked: “I miss walking around naked! Mindy isn’t too happy if I do that.
“Every time one of us wants to use the washing machine, the other person’s washing is in there, and I steal Mindy’s snacks from time to time – but she’s very generous.”
“On a more serious note, as we have our own spaces in this house, it means we can hang out together or have company.
“We’re both respectful of each other, and that’s made it all feel very easy.”
The duo are happy with the current arrangement, and are exploring the option of getting a mortgage to make the set-up permanent – though this depends on if one or both of them gets into a relationship.
