Single best friends move in together with their children to cut the cost of living – so would you

A pair of single mums who moved in together to save money have spoken about how their arrangement works – and whether it gets in the way of dating.

Lauren Robinson, 26, and Samantha Best, 24, live together with their children – five-year-old Haidyn and four-year-old Kaelin – in Auckland, New Zealand.

It was Lauren’s initial idea to share her house after the pair each broke up with their respective partners, deciding that splitting the cost of the rent and food was a savvier plan than living apart.

Samantha told FEMAIL that she was with Kaelin’s dad for five years before they parted ways, leaving a 23-year-old Sam trying to figure out her new role as a mother and create new living arrangements.

‘It was daunting,’ she said. ‘I had Kaelin when I was 20 while working at a law firm. But his dad is very much in the picture and I go home to New Plymouth every second week so they can see each other.’

Moving to Auckland for her career three months ago, which is now a social media content creator, Samantha connected with Lauren – who she had met through Instagram four years earlier – and the pair saw their two worlds collide.

‘At the time I thought now was a really good time to move and everything just fell into place so well,’ she said.

There have been a number of reactions to the friends’ choice to live together, with some suggesting they must be in an intimate relationship.

‘We’ve got some unpleasant comments but the majority are supportive saying how much of a great idea this is,’ Samantha said.

Their kids get along well and entertain each other for hours, but still bicker like siblings which they expected.

While they share the task of housework Lauren is the chef in the house and Samantha will do the dishes mostly.

‘We do our own thing but will help each other with school picks ups or going to the supermarket and we babysit for each other when someone’s busy,’ Samantha said.

Their parenting styles align and they have a household bank account to pay for groceries and rent like any other de facto-style living relationship.

While neither mum is actively dating at the moment they’re not opposed to the idea of meeting someone new, but their focus is on the kids and their careers.  

‘Everything is new when you’re fresh out of a break up so we’re taking time to work on ourselves and then we’ll eventually get back on the dating scene,’ Samantha said.

‘You know how they say when you’re not looking, someone will come along.’

They do joke that any partners will have to move in with them so perfect is there arrangement but if marriage was on the cards ‘obviously that would change things’.

While Samantha acknowledges being a single parent unfortunately comes with stereotypes she hopes by sharing her story others will consider trying it for themselves.