The Couple That Lives Apart, Stays Together?

Sarah-Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick reportedly considered "living-apart-together" in 2009.

A new survey reveals one million Australians are happier living apart from their significant other than together. According to researchers at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, there's been a significant increase over the years in the amount of "living-apart-together relationships", where long-term couples willingly choose to live apart.

The institute cites "more adults living at home, increased life expectancy and less pressure to settle down" as the main reasons more couples are choosing to live independently, but just under 10 per cent of the 25-34 year old demographic also reported being in a relationship with someone overseas.

According to UK Relate counsellor Denise Knowles, people have an average of seven relationships before settling down, and if several of these are long-lasting, it's likely they'll become comfortable with "living alone and pleasing themselves by the time the right relationship comes along".

But it's not just young adults who are choosing to live apart, with an increasing number of both married and un-married 40-50 year old couples shunning co-habitation. Knowles says this is because the older you are, the less adaptable you are when you settle down with someone.

"This is why, I'm sure, that I'm increasingly seeing couples who say their problems only started when they moved in together," said Knowles.

Relationships SA spokesman Grant Pearson says people in this age group have already established their own lives and therefore don't feel the need to live with their partner.

"We're noticing people in this age group who have been married, they've had the kids and own their own houses outright and end up staying a lot at these houses and visiting the other person on different days of the week," reported Relationships SA spokesman Grant Pearson. "There's no doubt there's more people who are together, but living apart today."

What are your thoughts? Are you in a "living-apart-together" relationship?