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.

My mom talks about when she moved in with her sisters in CA, she discovered that they were way the hell too chipper first thing in the morning (this is funny because my mom is a bona fide morning person.) It nearly came to blows before they figured out not to talk to her for at least an hour after she got up. Difference from the family home was that it was a farm and everyone had specific chores that pretty much kept them busy first thing.

Of course, she did not apply this lesson to me. It took until ( well....she still slips up) these days for her accept that I cannot and will not converse, or for that matter even comprehend, first thing in the morning.

I HAVE ICE CREAM!

I SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!

wench.