On 07 Jun 2005, wrote

I initially thought halls together would be preferable, due to TV
noise etc. But I actually find it a lot more disconcerting to be
having a quiet bath when a trumpet-nosed neighbour next door can
be heard blowing his nose. I guess with small bathrooms, you are
often closer to the party wall. Also, banging of kitchen cabinets
travels easily through a solid party wall. An front doors / stairs
also tend to be loud. If I had a large house where rooms could
shrink, I would be tempted to build a cavity wall onto my side and
move all the joists etc. Or better still, win the lottery and buy
a detached house. Any experiences or preferences?

I've had both (and now live in a "halls together"). It's a trade-off,
but I would never, ever, again buy a "halls apart/share the main walls"
arrangement.

The bathrooms and kitchen sounds you mention can be annoying, but
in my experience sharing the sitting-room wall -- especially when the
stereo and telly's against it -- is way, way more invasive.

(I'll draw a veil over the shared bedroom wall with the "halls apart"
design; she was very loud in her eagerness to please, though.)

--
Cheers,
Harvey