There is often a negative stigma attached with being a female who chooses to live alone, especially in Sydney's affluent Eastern suburbs. 39-year-old Julie Sweet has lived alone in Clovelly for five years and has never been happier . But while female solo-dwellers are being labelled as sad, lonely and socially isolated, a new study has shown that of these women, the majority have university degrees, reputable careers and healthy social lives. The study conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that a quarter of Australians have opted for solo living and 70 percent of the women are more likely to have a university degree than the men. According to Daily Life, the affluent suburbs of Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay and Elizabeth Bay make up nearly 60 percent of solo households. This means that the women who live alone in the Eastern suburbs are fast becoming more successful than their male counterparts. However, many feel as though they are still judged for their residential choice. 39-year-old Julie Sweet feels that she is often stigmatised by friends and family. 'I feel that people often judge when you don't fit into a certain box,' Ms. Sweet told Daily Mail Australia. 'I am constantly questioned by extended family and friends of friends on why I continue to live alone.' Ms Sweet had lived with close friends for all of her life, and although feels she was spoilt with them, she now resides in Clovelly in Sydney's East by herself and has never been happier. She is currently a Psychotherapist for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse with a degree in Psychotherapy and has even returned to university to complete a Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health. She is currently a Psychotherapist for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse with a degree in Psychotherapy and has returned to university to complete a Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health . 'I genuinely enjoy my own company,' she said. 'If I wasn't happy with what i was doing, I would absolutely change it.... But I think living alone should be celebrated!' Other women feel that the generalisation is finally lifting and there is more of a shift in opinion toward those who live alone. 30-year-old Lisa Hollinshead resides in Bondi and was the founder of Sydney Social Blog as well as working as a freelance publicist. Ms. Hollinshead told Daily Mail Australia that many of her female friends also choose to live alone and this is shifting the stigma. 30-year-old freelance publicist, Lisa Hollinshead resides in Bondi and enjoys her solo living lifestyle . She believes the stigma is shifting and more people are celebrating solo-dwelling as a triumph . 'I think times have changed and it's a lot different to what it was a decade ago,' she said. 'It was a pipe dream to live in Bondi when I was younger and I'm really proud of my achievements.' With BA Honours in Marketing and Media Cultural Studies, Ms. Hollinshead is an example of a young woman with significantly higher education then her male counterparts who also live alone. Only 25 percent of men who live in a one-person household have attained a university degree.
A study has shown that a quarter of Australians have opted to live alone . Of the women who live solo, most have university degrees, reputable careers and healthy social lives- unlike their male counterparts . Many women feel they are labelled as socially isolated for living alone . Julie Sweet from Clovelly said she is constantly questioned for her choice .