Millennial Women Embrace ‘Golden Girls’ Lifestyle with Friends

Millennial women are increasingly opting for communal living arrangements with friends, inspired by the camaraderie of the beloved television series “Golden Girls.” This shift reflects a growing desire to prioritize deep connections over traditional romantic partnerships, as many envision a future that centers around friendship rather than conventional family structures.

A recent survey by Royal LePage revealed that roommate households were the fastest-growing household type in Canada, increasing by 54 percent from 2001 to 2021. Approximately 6 percent of homeowners now share ownership with someone other than a spouse or partner, indicating a significant cultural shift. Rising housing costs, challenging dating landscapes, and a yearning for meaningful connection are driving this trend towards friend-centric living.

Toronto-based relationship coach Victoria Yeung noted, “I do see a cultural shift, though it’s still outside the norm. Thanks to the internet, we’re starting to hear about more alternative future-planning set-ups.” These arrangements include friends raising children together and pooling resources to create small communities. As societal norms around dating and marriage evolve, new possibilities for living arrangements are emerging.

Popular TikTok creator Kendra Austin, who shares a home with her best friend, emphasizes the mutual care that characterizes their relationship. In one of her videos, she stated, “We care for each other in the same way we expected partners to.” She believes that living with a friend has clarified her expectations for future romantic relationships.

In 2021, Sarah Scanlon and her best friend, Jen, made a deliberate decision to purchase a home together in Guelph, Ontario. Scanlon described their arrangement as an intentional choice that prioritizes the relationships that ground her. “I’ve always known living alone with a partner wasn’t the right fit for me,” she said. Their partnership includes regular financial and emotional check-ins, ensuring both their home and relationship remain healthy.

Living with friends is not without its challenges. Scanlon recounted a kitchen renovation that tested their relationship, but ultimately, she views their living situation as one of the best decisions she has made. “We’re not living together because something is missing in our romantic lives. We’re doing it because this is the future we want,” she explained.

Despite the benefits, societal norms still place romantic relationships at the pinnacle of a relationship hierarchy. Yeung pointed out that patriarchal values often dictate that women derive their worth from being desired by men and fulfilling traditional roles as wives and mothers. This perception complicates legal and financial issues surrounding home ownership among friends, as they are often seen as temporary or less serious arrangements.

For Mia Cosco, the decision to move in with friends stemmed from the challenging rental market in British Columbia. Teaming up with two colleagues, they pooled their resources to secure housing. “It’s rough out there,” Cosco remarked. “But as three full-time working women, we felt we’d be seen as trustworthy tenants.” Their motivations for co-living vary; some see it as a temporary solution, while others view it as a long-term arrangement.

Regardless of individual circumstances, the trend toward communal living highlights the importance of maintaining strong friendships. Creating successful platonic arrangements requires effort. This includes having candid conversations about finances, setting boundaries, and fostering rituals of appreciation and connection.

Yeung asserts that love and intimacy can exist outside of romantic partnerships, stating, “We’re told that if you haven’t found The One, you’re missing out on the best part of being human.” By embracing this alternative framework, women can cultivate a lifestyle that aligns with their values and aspirations.

As attitudes toward friendship and cohabitation evolve, the future may see a greater acceptance of living arrangements that prioritize companionship over traditional partnerships. Whether it manifests as a co-owned home filled with mismatched mugs or a shared apartment where friends gather for pizza nights, the growing trend of choosing friends as life partners reflects a profound cultural shift in how relationships are defined and valued.