Separate houses is Robert B. Parker's (of Spenser for Hire fame) solution. His wife of 22 years threw him out. He pined. He begged. They bought a duplex...he must seek permission to enter her half. Beyond that? Happy clams.
Fela and I talked about living together before we got so sick and things got strained. Now? I'm glad it didn't work out. Saved by the bug, I guess.
yes, the Parker House is in Cambridge, outside of Harvard Square. EllenBS showed it to me on our first F2F. Ah, memories!
You also see those issues/feelings played out between the protagonist and his SO, in the books.
You also see those issues/feelings played out between the protagonist and his SO, in the books.
A relationship I adore. I'm a bit over the Spenser plot(s) but I love hearing what the characters have to say to each other. Especially when Joe Montenga (sp) reads the audio version.
Glad my classic extrovert is also a hardcore reader.
A guy I used to work with and I would often have a "one house, separete wings, DMZ in the middle" discussion. We both thought that would just be an ideal set-up. I still do. He got married after I left... I wonder whether he got his wish.
I can't imagine sharing my space with a boyfriend. However, I've done so many things I can't imagine (and missed out on some I thought were sure things) that I have no idea about how well I might adapt to that happenstance.
I don't have too much of an issue sharing space with TomW... we're both pretty low key when we are on the same floor/in the same room, most of the time. The house has three floors and in decent weather, a backyard so that we can take our private time pretty easily.
However, when my friend moves into the third floor bedroom (temporarily) things may be a bit different... I'm a little nervous, actually.
I can totally see, and have suggested on several occassions, sharing a house with friends and/or family. Seperate living spaces and maybe entrances would be key.
I once knew a couple who did the "neighboring condos" things. Seemed to work well. His name was "Clint Wayne" which since he really was a macho type (ex special forces) always cracked me up.
I think that for most people, it's not so much of an issue of space for private time, but the willingness of a partner to leave them alone.