Have you ever lived with strangers abroad? Do you prefer to live on your own?
This is the question most Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) find difficult to answer. When it comes to deciding one’s living situation, two things often come to mind: money and comfort. Some OFWs, especially the breadwinners, do everything they can to save and be able to provide for the loved ones back home, even if it’s at the cost of their own comfort.
Most OFWs, however, still think sharing a home with strangers isn’t worth the risk. In a survey conducted by The Filipino Times, through its poll segment “Tanong Ng Bayan,” four netizens out of five said they would rather live on their own even if it means paying higher rents and adjusting the budget they need.
Netizen Arkie Erika Akire said she’d prefer living alone because it’s hard to adjust with strangers under the same roof.
“Mas mainam talaga mag-solo ka. Mahirap mkisama lalo iba’t iba ang nakasanayan. Hindi naman fair share ang gawain sa bed space. Meron talaga tamad at walang pake,” she said.
OFW Mariameguela Acobo Bebillo Vanli said that living alone lets her focus on her work and other responsibilities.
“I choose to live in a flat alone para iwas sa lahat, at maiwas na din sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari. Higit sa lahat, Malaya ka sa lahat nang gusto mong gawin,” she said.
Zan Obiso Camotes, another UAE-based netizen, said it’s hard to relax with flat mates around—especially the ones who are not contributing to household chores.
“Gusto ko mag-isa kaysa may kasama at hindi ko kasundo, lalo pagdating sa paglilinis. Madalas kasi maingay din at hindi ka maka-relax ng maaga at may work ka pa kinabukasan,” he said.
A few OFWs in the UAE, however, still choose practicality even if they forego the chance to get comfort and solitude from living alone.
Netizen Rita Asj said it’s still more important to be able to save money than choosing a luxurious place to live.
“I choose to have flat mates because it is more practical. Makakatipid ka dahil you work here to save and to survive. At the end, uuwi ka din naman sa lupang sinilangam,” she said.
Other OFWs, on the other hand, choose the company to survive the loneliness of life abroad.
According to hing Moda Gilla, “the more roommates, the merrier.”
“Mas madami kasama mas masaya lalo nasa abroad tayo lahat. Pero depende na lang din kasi ‘yan sa pakikisama. Sa nature ng buhay natin sa abroad, ‘wag nang maging maarte at mapili sa environment kung gusto naman ng makatipid,” she said.
As for Didith Co, it’s not just practical, living with other OFWs can be a great experience if you become friends.
“Masaya lalo kung makakasundo mo ang mga makakasama mo sa bahay. Mas malaki pa ang matitipid,” she said.
