Living apart together (LAT): gaining popularity among 50- to 60-year-olds

Meeting, falling in love and moving in together is the traditional path for many couples. However, relationships are changing, especially among people in their fifties and sixties. Proof of this is a growing trend of a different type of arrangement: living apart together, or LAT.

Concept

LAT refers to a relationship in which the life partners are committed to one another but do not live together. Like partners who prefer separate bedrooms, LAT couples choose to live in separate homes. Many people who are separated or divorced and find love again opt for this arrangement.

Advantages

Living separately offers several benefits, especially for parents of teenagers or young adults who still live at home. Finding love again as LAT partners allows each person to enjoy a committed relationship without forcing daily cohabitation on their children, which can help reduce friction.

Having their own home also lets each partner maintain their own privacy. They can decorate as they like, do their household chores when they want and more. This arrangement often allows for more freedom and fewer arguments.

Finally, many people who choose this lifestyle say that a bit of distance helps keep the relationship vital. Do you feel you’ve found your soul mate but don’t want the challenges that come with living together? The LAT approach may offer the perfect balance.