I think having roommates should be the default living situation for people unless/until they have a family (which are technically a form of roommate of course). Besides being wasteful of space and resources, there's the (now well-known) mental health downsides or being alone. Humans aren't really made to live that way long-term. Personally I had roommates when I was single even when I had a good job. I viewed it as a way to meet people when I moved to a new city, which it was. It is important for roommates to view it this way though. People view it as purely financial can make bad roommates.