Everything about moving to Australia that, to me, was and is riveting and satisfying, but also anxiety-inducing.

It’s no secret that I’m as sentimental as they come. A quick scroll through my Instagram story highlights will reveal an excessive amount of #throwback photos.

So naturally, as I’m on the verge of completing my last semester in uni, I just had to meticulously reminisce my time in Melbourne.

Ever since moving out, I’ve been posed with this question about ten thousand times: how would I know if solo living is for me? My answer is always that it boils down to your own lifestyle habits and preferences.

That being said, solo living is a luxury that not everyone can easily afford. In fact, even if you are able to afford it, you might still contemplate a shared apartment for various reasons.

Here are some factors to consider when making the big decision.

I love Melbourne with all my heart. But, and I say this with love, this city is whack.

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how much intense prep work you do for your trip. You’ll read blogs, you’ll watch YouTube videos, you’ll ask friends—but none of it will match up to experiencing it yourself for the first time and ending up 45 minutes in the opposite direction of your intended destination.

Disclaimer: Most of these I find whack simply because I grew up in a wildly different environment. If you’re a born-and-raised Melburnian, chances are you won’t find any of these out of the ordinary at all.

1. Tram stops are in the middle of the road

There is something about exiting the crosswalk mid-way that feels so counterintuitive. And it certainly does not help directionally-challenged individuals like myself either.

That said, I developed a completely rational fear of taking the tram, and in my first three months, travelled around via Uber almost exclusively.

Sometimes, no matter how thorough your research, certain details just slip through. Here are some cat facts that might come as a shock to you.

1. Cat breeds matter

“All I want is a cat. I don’t care things as trivial as breed!”

That was precisely my sentiment when I was looking up cat adoption ads online. It didn’t even cross my mind to ask the previous owner about it.

But as it turns out, your cat’s breed does play a part in their personality type. As such, choosing a cat breed that will complement you, your lifestyle, and your household is of some importance.

For instance, if you already own a dog, you might consider adopting a more sociable cat that is likelier to get along with your canine child, such as a Birman or a Ragdoll.