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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Polly Hudson

A women’s commune sounds like a great retirement option. But I have my doubts

Golden Girls stars Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Bea Arthur look shocked beside a pram
Modern living for women? Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Bea Arthur in The Golden Girls. Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Alamy

In most female friendships between women with male partners, the following occurs, sometimes regularly. It usually happens after one of them has delivered a passionate rant – or if not technically a rant, then certainly rant-adjacent. The women’s eyes lock, the instinctive understanding between the two of them undeniable, and then the one who has been complaining about her partner will say: “I wish I could just live with you instead.” If there are more than two women present, the conversation may move on to communes. There are inevitably wistful sighs.

That fantasy could become a reality. “Positive news” platform Upworthy has explored the phenomenon of gen X and boomer women playing the long game and pulling a Golden Girls: rather than living alone, post widowhood or divorce, they are moving in together.

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