Is this the way to deal with loneliness as you get older?

I love the idea. I'd definitely do it. It would take a good bit of thought to ensure the property is "right", but a great way to deal with loneliness/vulnerability.

I haven't got three friends I could live with.

No, not for me, I couldn't live with friends ( would drive me mad!) much as I value them
In everyday life.Also, what happens to your share of the property when you die?

I haven't got 3 friends I could live with either MargaretX

I don't have 3 friends I would want to live with lovely as friends but live with them NO!

Me too, couldn't stand living with any of my few remaining friends, great to have them around though.

I m with you guys nice idea but can only think of one friend I could live with and even then you just don't know maybe we are such good friends just because we don't live in each other's pockets No I ll stay on my own ta

Well done to the three ladies. I don't think I would like it unless I had my own lounge as well as en-suite.
I can see a rota to cook etc. would be good but it would be too easy to fall out. Probably not for me either.

The Golden Girls made it look like a lot of fun .

I think it could work if it was a really big house with friends who knew each other very well indeed.

For many people it wouldn't, because they like their privacy. You only have to look at the empty, but well meaning communal lounges in retirement complexes to know that.

Personally, I couldn't do it.

Abbeyfield homes used to provide this sort of thing. Only a few residents each with their own bedrooms/sitting rooms but communal space too. Staff could help out as required and the costs shared. Don't know if they're still on the go. I used to know a lady who lived in one. Snag being they had to be big houses and as time went on the site became more valuable to demolish the house and stick up lots of little boxes. I don't know about the financial aspects. Always struck me as a good idea.

I can see where it could be successful for very social people. I think you would have to know each other well and have certain ground rules. Not for me though, think I have become less sociable the older I get.

There are a couple of Abbeyfields round here like that Jane. I can't think of three friends I would like to live with either - much as I love them.

Her next door's is a deputy manager in an Abbeyfield home.
She complains that they are getting 'conned' by social services into taking unsuitable people e.g. Senile dementia sufferers who need a lot of help. The problem is that the residents are supposed to be self caring.
Abbeyfield are residential not care homes.

I've got 3 very good friends but live with them - definitely not.

I have one very good friend who does not live remotely near me (thank goodness) but she wants to know all of my business, financial and social, there is no way I could live with her. She would be wanting to know where I was going each time I went outside the front door. A good idea in theory for some.

As much as I like my 3 best friends, I really wouldn't want to live with them, a couple of us did share a hotel room many years ago, but that's it.I couldn't live with anyone other than my husband, we have adapted to each others idiosyncracies, not too many, over the years and I just wouldn't want to compromise with anyone else now. I really know how I like things done, I'm less adaptable now.

I want to stay in my nice flat until Social Services take me away. I wouldn't mind an Elderly People's Home too much as you have your own room, loo and wash hand basin. Mum was in a Home for 5 years and felt safe there.

My dh and I were so emotionally entwined that now he's passed away I don't feel the need to travel alone very much.

I have learnt to live on my own and sometimes like it that way.

I'd rather not wait for a crisis to occur before social services step in and it would have to be a crisis before they did.

I think you are right Jane10. I had to do a lot of hard work, liaising with the GP and Health Visitor before anything was done to help my mother.

I guess I'm quite worried about my future in that respect but hope one of my sons will act on my behalf.

Sorry it wasn't a Health Visitor it was an excellent District Nurse.

No thank you. I have lived with DH for 40 years and I am still struggling with training him to my ways. Certainly don't want to start with anyone else. :-)

No way, have lived on my own for just over twenty years

Oh no, I don't think so!!! I've got lots of lovely friends, but none that I would actually want to live with, ditto the other way round I daresay!!!! Being an only child would stand me in good stead, plus a lovely son and dil, who I know would do what they could to help which ever one of us it was, on all fronts, when inevitably two turns into one.

There is one friend who has suggested this to me, should Mr C predecease me (fortunately very fit and healthy right now!) if anyone can think of a way to say 'no' without offending her then please share it, I just couldn't contemplate it.