[jklepatch]

+1 for the community aspect.

I also could afford to live on my own but I prefer to have roomates.

I live overseas,where as a foreigner a personal network is even more important that back home.

Having roomates makes my social life easier. No need to spend so much energy meeting new people outside. There are often people hanging out in the living room. I rarely feel lonely and often meet new cool people,at home.