Just curious if there are any folks that prefer living alone vs. being married? I think marriage can be great if one finds the right person, but what about the people in semi-happy marriages? In other words, things may be OK in the marriage, but not great. I am undecided how I feel about it, but, although I am not married at this point, I think I would prefer staying single, to being in a semi-happy marriage, especially if there were no financial problems. In addition, I think nowadays the internet is a wonderful companion. Of course, on the other hand, if people are young, and want children, obviously marriage may be the best choice for them. Any opinions on this subject?
I’m sure this will be moved out of GQ, but I can tell you for sure there are plenty of people who prefer living alone…my neighbor for one.
He talks on occasion of finding a woman, but I know he just isn’t willing to make the compromises and concessions that are required for a marriage to be successful.
He’s happier doing things his way than being married and having to give some of that up.
I would venture that many of the unmarried are quite happy with this choice, precisely for the same reason
People may find this hard to believe but I am still seriously considering getting married again. Can’t live with them; can’t live without them.
Counting the minutes until this thread gets moved to MPSIMS . . . tick tock tick tock.
I want it in the BBQ Pit: “I pit my %^%# ex-wife/ex-husband…”
Count me in with the thank-God-I’m-single-and-can-live-my-own-life crowd.
I need a lot of alone time, and I can’t stand being told what to do or controlled in any way (unless you’re paying me, of course), so yeah, I think I’m meant to live alone. I was married a long time ago and have a teenager left at home, so it’ll be a while before I’m actually alone, but I am very much looking forward to it. I know people that complain of being lonely when they’re alone, and I really don’t relate to that- sounds great to me!
Please for the love of everything unholy…tell me you are not thinking of marrying “that one”
I love my wife dearly, and enjoy our time together. We’ve shared many things and experiences in the last ~30 years.
But, as I’ve told her before, if she should die before I do - even if it’s next week - I couldn’t even imagine finding another person to be with. It’s not that I think we all get just one chance or marriage or anything silly like that. I simply could never not think of my wife for more than 3 minutes for the rest of my life, and that wouldn’t be fair to anyone else.
I still cry about my parents’ passing 15 years later; how the hell could I bring another woman home after my wife died?
I like living with my family, but should they away one evening, I shan’t replace them.
It will just be me sitting alone until I die.
Then the dogs will find me and eat me.
Stupid dogs.
Gawd no! I am back with the previous girlfriend who lives in another state and couldn’t move here because of her kids. That and she didn’t seem to be exciting enough at the time we broke up, but I am rethinking my need for excitement these days. 
Since the OP is looking for opinions, let’s move this to IMHO.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
I could certainly see the perks of living alone, but I’m quite happy with married life. I love my wife, I love my kids. I don’t have any of that horrible heartache from pining after someone who doesn’t reciprocate. However, there are definitely times I’d like to just be able to flip a switch and be in bachelor mode. Mostly when I’m feeling quite lazy, and I’d like to just take about a day long break and just play video games, watch TV and down a whole pizza with some beer while watching a sporting event in the evening.
When my wife goes out of town, especially if she brings the kids (which is once or twice a year, usually to visit some of her more distant relatives in PA), I do sort of devolve into this mode, and it’s quite fun for a while, but I think it would turn into a self-destructive void if it were allowed to continue for more than a few days. 
Too bad this isn’t IMHO.
I was married for 27 years and have two wonderful children as a result of that marriage. The first 15 - 20 years or so of the marriage were (mostly) good times, but things began sliding ever more rapidly downhill sometime after that. I’ve been divorced for about a year and a half now and, everytime I start thinking that I should look into the dating thing again I quickly realize that I’m not through being happy yet. Yes, not having a steady companion to share life experiences with sucks from time to time, but not having to cater to another person’s likes, dislikes, schedule, closet space needs, etc. is strangely liberating. Maybe later, if I meet the right person, I might change my tune, but right now I’m very happy with being single.
I love being single. Still have the two teens at home but I have plans for their moved-away years too.
My husband was married to his ex for twenty years, then lived alone for a few years until I and my kids came along. One of his kids too! He says he thinks he was alone too long because he still can’t adjust to having other people in the house or messing with his stuff.
I agree that he hasn’t adjusted very happily to living with others, but I bet if we got divorced he’d soon get married again. Poor man just can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.
I have lived by myself most of my adult life. I am quite happy with myself. I see no reason to change.
I don’t know if I could stand living with an SO. When they stay for a couple days I’m happy to see them leave, but then, it is different having guests. If I did have a husband he’d have to be gone a lot and we’d need a bigger place than the two bedroom apartment I have now with my kid.
I would definitely rather be single than in a not-great marriage. I love having my SOs stay overnight and then I love having them leave the next day! I need space.
It’s far better to live alone than to wish you did.
I love living alone. It is quiet and peaceful. I can’t imagine anyone living in my house with me.
And I can smoke cigars, eat what and when I want and I hate cats. Of course I live alone!
Been living with/married to my wife for 24 years. We separated a few months ago. Still not sure where our marriage is going to go, but this thread is about the living alone part of it, which is, obviously, new to me.
Okay, don’t tell the wife, but I love it. Just me and the dog. When I get home I don’t have to worry about when she wants dinner, what she wants, what she wants to do, etc. If I want to spend 4 hours in the garage tinkering with my motorcycle, no one judges me. Lucy the dog lays under the bike, perfectly happy to be with me, even if it is in the garage. Shhh!