My wife and I and a man friend have shared a house since 1991.
We had been close friends for a long time, and knew we should "get on well".
Sadly, my wife died suddenly and unexpectedly in January 2012, and having an existing housemate has been a real boon.
Kev and I are totally different characters in many respects - he is practical, "handy" and a joiner, whereas I am not, being more "creative" in terms of writing, Art and UK travel. Kev prefers to go to Turkey where he and a former work colleague have invested in a Timeshare in a yacht to sail the Med and the Aegean - they are entitled to two six week stints in any twelvemonth period.
Consequently, the loneliness and feeling "out of it" experienced by many people who have lost their partner is not a problem for us.
I'm sad not to have any grandchildren which I hear is delightful, but my superb daughter-in-law lets me "share" many of her younger nieces and their families.
My stepson is also a star - we have known each other since he was seven, and he and I getting on famously is the main reason my late wife married me, I'm sure.
Without I hope ever "poking my nose in", I take a keen interest in the filming, recording and PR international business they run from the HQ on Lord Street in Southport. They are in America at the moment seeing daughter-in-law's elder brother who lives with his English wife near Washington DC. They are fascinating people too.
If there are friends of yours who you think would put in lots in a communal living arrangement, do investigate. My enjoyment has not come about through "pot luck", believe me.