Upstate New York resident Sarai Saez Rogers, 36, and her best friend, Claire, have purchased a duplex together, seeking an affordable and supportive living arrangement after both experiencing divorce and navigating single parenthood.
The pair, who first connected in New Mexico while their husbands were stationed with the military, found themselves relying on each other for support as their marriages dissolved. A six-month period of overlapping hardship – Claire’s husband’s deployment and Rogers’ own divorce – solidified their bond, with the two women sharing daily routines and childcare responsibilities.
Following their divorces, Rogers relocated to Maryland for work, then to upstate New York to live with her parents, while Claire moved in with her parents in Wisconsin. Both found living with family to be less than ideal after years of independent living. During frequent phone calls, they began to explore the possibility of a shared homeownership venture.
“We trusted, respected, and liked each other,” Rogers explained. “We’d both say that for the first time in a long time, we knew what it was to feel safe with another person, to be loved for who we were, rather than for who someone wanted us to be.” Rogers’ stable income and Claire’s savings made the prospect financially feasible.
In the summer of 2024, Claire visited Rogers in New York, and they impulsively began searching for properties. They discovered a late-18th-century duplex with a large yard, a property their real estate agent initially discouraged them from considering. Despite its unconventional layout, the two women immediately fell in love with the home, which originally served as a farmhouse with separate living quarters.
The duplex features two bedrooms upstairs and three downstairs, with a kitchen and bathroom on each level. Rogers stated that despite occasional disagreements, she is consistently grateful for their decision to live together. “In a world where friendships aren’t always cherished as we’re too busy, I get to see my best friend every single day,” she said.
The arrangement allows them to provide mutual support and companionship, reminiscent of the close living situations often experienced by young adults. They have discussed how they would navigate potential romantic relationships, noting that both currently have boyfriends and do not feel pressured to move in with partners. They’ve also considered dividing the house into separate living spaces should their partners eventually move in.
Rogers emphasized the importance of open communication in resolving conflicts. “I don’t consider deep, authentic relationships can exist without conflict,” she said. “It’s healthy if it’s dealt with in a caring, respectful way.”
Rogers reflected on how her experience with Claire has redefined her understanding of meaningful relationships, leading her to prioritize friendship alongside romantic love. “After my divorce, I thought a lot about how, for years, romantic love had been the epitome of a relationship,” she said. “Since living with Claire, I’ve realised I was wrong.”
According to a recent report from Google News, buying a house with a best friend can be “the best living situation” one could inquire for.
