Setting up Women with Shared Living Arrangements

August 2014

Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves But Not by Themselves Thanks to New Website

All over the country, there are thousands of women living on their own, in homes that are too big for them, feeling socially isolated, a little lonely, and even a little bit vulnerable.

Luckily, there is an answer to their problems – new website someonelikeme.co.nz has been created to help match up single women looking to share a home in order to gain the financial and emotional support that comes from living with others.

This unique website allows women to list their profile and find someone compatible to live with – like a dating website but for housemates! Once they’ve joined, they have access to the profiles of women all over the country, and can contact them to arrange meet ups. They can then organise shared accommodation for any period of time, whether a few weeks, a few months, or a few years.

Sharing a home can be that most wonderful of experiences – fun! Says Prue Lowen, entrepreneur and creator of Someone Like Me, “No-one wants to be bored and lonely at home, especially when you could be enjoying someone else’s company - imagine coming home on a dreary day when it has all gone to custard and having someone with a glass of wine ready, wanting to talk!” This website ensures that older women enjoy their later years and make the most of life with someone else by their side.

Aside from the fun factor, there is the financial benefit of living with someone else. Many women around New Zealand are financially stretched – existing, but not living at an age where they should be enjoying their later years. Many of these are vibrant, intelligent women who are just looking for companionship at times, who want to enjoy the rest of their lives. Someone Like Me offers these women an opportunity to find some companionship and ease their financial burden whilst still retaining their independence.

Other women may be moving cities or returning from overseas and need somewhere to stay, either temporarily or permanently. Unlike traditional accommodation websites, Someone Like Me gives women the chance to find like-minded individuals to live with instead of yet another flat full of 20-somethings.

On the other hand, many women are rattling around in houses just too big for them, often left alone after the death of a partner or divorce. Prue says, “I’ve seen how hard it is for women in cities like Auckland, left alone after their partner dies. They often can’t afford the rates and are at risk of losing their family home.” Someone Like Me provides a forum for these women to find someone to share their home with someone who has similar life experiences, interests, and desire for companionship, while also providing them with extra income and security.

Prue was inspired to start Someone Like Me after knowing several friends who struggled living alone, both financially and emotionally. Not only that, she has seen first hand how effective living together can be. “I knew two women from Wellington who shared a house for twenty years – they had separate parts of the house and remained independent, but enjoyed the company and security of having someone else in the house. It worked really well,” shares Prue.

Companionship, security, fun and more money in the pocket – with all of those benefits, it is clear that Someone Like Me will soon be making a real difference in the lives of New Zealand women.

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