Personal Development

Here are 3 Reasons you Shouldn’t Live at Home

by Alexis Chateau

I don’t live at home. Do you?

Many people who are familiar with my living arrangements and work life have suggested I write off my full mortgage as a business expense. This is because that’s exactly what my home is to me: a place to work.

If I am at home and awake, there is a 90 percent chance I’m working. This may not always be a money-making venture. I may be researching medieval history for my new novel, writing that novel, or blogging here. I just happen to be one of the few people in the world who has a career where fun and work share a blurred line.

However, this is precisely why I do not live at home. I live beyond my four walls, in nature, on trips, in the company of family and friends. So, whether you work from home or have a nine-to-five at a brick-and-mortar, here are three reasons you shouldn’t live at home either.

1. You Can Go Minimalist

Since giving up conventional home life in 2015, I have written several articles about the benefits of minimalism. If you’re new to my blog or had missed these posts, here are the main ones you may want to take a look at.

After years of trying to get the square-footage of my home, I finally got the figure down. I live in a 628 square-foot home that is one part of a multi-family dwelling. The less space you have and the less recreational time you spend at home, the less inclined you may be to stuff your home with, well—stuff!

2. Save More Money

One of the benefits of living away from home is saving money. This might not make logical sense to you at first, so let me explain. Because my personal comfort is not restricted to my home, I require less of it.

As I mentioned before, this allows me to live comfortably in a home that is technically below the legal square-foot requirements of a separate living unit in Georgia. If you’re wondering how I’ve managed to get pass this, my home is technically considered a single-family unit. I just don’t live in the remaining 2000-plus square feet. I co-own my home with the people who do i.e. my family.

However, by living in a smaller home, I am able to save money every year. I pay far less for my shared mortgage than I would, owning the American average of a 2000-plus square foot home. Last year, those savings facilitated payment for my green card renewal, the purchase of my first car, quitting my job, and travelling to half a dozen countries.

3. See More of the World

That brings me to the next point. Because my living takes place away from home, I am always on the hunt for a new adventure. Last year, my travelling took me from Alaskan glaciers to Mayan ruins. However, I look for micro-adventures right here in Atlanta, as well.

This allows me to enrich my social life away from my immediate family, which can be difficult when you work from home. Last year, my social life expanded to include the following.

  • Writing with a group in Midtown, where I finished the first draft of The Moreau Witches 
  • Painting at a non-profit in East Atlanta Village
  • Mountain biking on my own at various spots in the suburbs of Metro Atlanta

This must have added tonnes of miles to my “new” car, right? Nope. I have driven less than 3000 miles in the past six months. That’s one of the major perks of living in a city where a hiking trail is never more than fifteen minutes away, and, of working from home.

…

Contrary to the image you may now have of me in your mind, I spend most of my time comfortably at home with my cat curled up on my lap. I have everything to my comfort in my apartment.

My “live-in office” is more like a Google work space with bean bags and hammocks, than, let’s say, a bank. In fact, I’m currently writing this post from the day bed, covered in a comfy crimson blanket you have probably seen a thousand times, if you follow me on social media.

That said, I am not in any way advocating for you to ditch your family and life at home. I am, however, encouraging you to get up off the couch, get out of the house, meet new people, see new places, and try new things. There’s a whole world out there. Don’t let it pass you by.

2019 has only just begun. Where will you live, this year? Share your plans with me in the comments, below.

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32 thoughts on “Here are 3 Reasons you Shouldn’t Live at Home”

    1. Haha, I thought the title would confuse a few people more than it would attract them. Thanks for reading. 🙂

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  3. Our apartment is Justin’s workspace and it’s one of the many reasons why we’re trying to get a house ASAP 🙈 can’t wait for him to have a whole extra room specifically as an office- no more boxes filling the entire living room haha

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      2. Understandable! I had to find a small crate for my books to store them before shipping.

  4. Alexis, you have given me much to stew in. I’m having a bit of an existential crisis (😉) and this perspective you’re sharing with us is part of what I’ve been longing for.
    Like Fiesta Fridays are great and all, but I have been in the cultural dead zones for too long now, and have been longing to experience the world some more (hence the existential crisis🤔).
    The way you’ve explained this just resonates with me and I am very grateful that the universe put you in my life to help me out in the midst of my existential crisis #thisiswhyiloveyou (one of many reasons)

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    1. Aw…I’m flattered! I’m glad I’ve brought some value into your life, even from a distance. I hope you do get the chance to explore more. If you need to borrow my travel agents, just let me know. 😊

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  5. Yea, home is basically a second work space for me as well. I mean, my formal ‘office’ is outdoors, but when I’m at home I’m usually working on my blog. However, I write nearly all of my first drafts at coffee shops away from home, because I seem to write much faster there. I can’t do the more thought-heavy second, third, and so on drafts at coffee shops, though.

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    1. That makes sense. Home becomes full of distractions after a while. I find I often work best away from home, as well. Not always, but sometimes.

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    1. Haha, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I don’t know where I come with them either. 🤣

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  7. We have taken minimalism to a whole new level. Our motorhome is just over 7 metres long and only have one single wardrobe for the 2 of us, so we have cut down to the bare essentials. We spend a lot of time outdoors, weather permitting, and we are discovering the wonders of Europe inch by inch on and off the beaten track too. 👍

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    1. Ah yes, you are indeed the very example of this! Do you know the square footage of your home?

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      2. I’ll have to look that up in feet. Georgia is giving me hell over my tiny home plans so far. ☹️

      6. Still tiny even for one, but that’s the beauty of it. I’ve seen a few of them here at around 160 SF. They look pretty roomy to me!

      7. Bigger is not necessarily better. Those big RVs are good if you are stationary, but they are very expensive to run and difficult to park, never mind driving through busy towns with narrow lanes and tight corners, of which they are many in Europe. You are restricted to campsites all the time, which we don’t like. This smaller one has greater flexibility and is perfect for us. In summer, we spend most of our time outdoors and only come in to sleep.

  8. Most modern people would choose to interpret minimalist as someone who goes to smaller shopping malls.
    I like travel and change, but I must admit I like a home with clutter!

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    1. Hahahahah! You are very right about that! I don’t like clutter. It drives me insane. If I buy more things, I tend to throw stuff out or donate to maintain my level.

      Reply

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