Fitzroy North

Hi, I'm Paul, I'm 52, a leftist, atheist, non-smoking, non-drinker. I like my home to be home, so housemate compatibility's a big factor for me. Which doesn't mean I'm looking for another leftist, atheist, non-drinker, etc - just that we don't want to spend our evenings hiding in our bedroom and don't want you to feel like you have to, either. A cosy, comfortable, unjudgemental vibe is the goal. We're queer and neuro-diverse friendly, and assume you are too!

I'm currently completing a PhD in Cinema Studies at Melbourne Uni, so at least for the next few months I'll be mainly at home. The place is big enough for two people who work from home to not get in each other's way, but I include the detail, in the interests of informed decision-making.

My passion is cinema. In my younger days I trained as an actor, even made a couple of films. Nowadays it's just watching and writing about them. I own a collection of dvds/videos which staggers most people on first sight and kind of gives away what a super-nerd I am at heart. I also love football (the Hawks, in case that changes things for anyone), puns, questions, conversation and argument, donuts and board games, kindness and David Foster Wallace.

Hi, I'm Leila, 49, a visual artist. I'm about to leave for Mexico for two months, but when I return I'll most likely be working in the arts/cultural sector. My real passion is my art practice - which includes painting, photography and video work - and I use the garage as a studio. I'm pretty social (when I have the time!), I love cooking, fashion, music, art - I'm basically a hedonist. I'd love if it you would split a bottle of wine with me occasionally. I want to be friendly with a housemate, but I also love my alone time - so, really, the ability to read the room is probably my most highly valued quality that I'm looking for.

Hi, I'm Amber, 45, she/they: ND postgrad studying plants, creative dilettante currently into silversmithing. Often away for months. Night owl but quieter after hours than the actual cat.

Important qualities in a flatmate - reliable, respectful, honest. Intelligent. Creative or, at least, receptive to the arts. Politically progressive. Basically, we're pretty protective of our home - and are looking for someone compatible. We're looking for maturity, someone who doesn't need to be chased for the rent and understands the responsibilities of shared spaces.

Age doesn't matter. Gender doesn't matter - though we do tend to like girly men and boyish women. Non-smoking or, at least, social smoking only is preferred. We like people who talk when they have something to say. We like people who have something to say. Anyway, chances are that if you read our profiles and like the sound of them, then you're the kind of person we're looking for.

The cat, Elliott, is almost 5, a ginger medium-hair who's used to having the run of the place. She's a prima donna, she won't tolerate being picked up, and doesn't even like being patted unless she's in the mood. She's capable of being very affectionate, but just doesn't necessarily express that in a way that a lot of people recognise. She's more just sort of around, and spends a fair amount of time outside.