Thanks for your comment, and that of others. It appears that my culture is the odd one out where flatsharing is viewed very negatively. Sure, it's not non-exis

Thanks for your comment, and that of others. It appears that my culture is the odd one out where flatsharing is viewed very negatively. Sure, it's not non-existent, I have many friends who have done it at some point in their lives, but it was always with existing friends. Advertising for a roommate, i.e. inviting a stranger to share your place is very unusual. People's expectations of privacy are simply much higher. The cheapest form of housing for college students is one where you share a kitchen and a living room with a bunch of other people, but everyone has their own private bedroom and bathroom with a door that locks. College dorms is just not done. It is possible to rent a room in someone else's apartment, but usually in that arrangement the apartment is built such that the part that's rented out is a bit more off, has it's own bathroom, and has its own front door.