In Housing, Is Cheating is the Only Way To Win?

[Jojoya]

Considering the question was specifically phrased as "on a populated server" that kind of response is really, really disingenuous.

Nothing disingenuous about it. I was being totally sincere.

The majority of non-instanced content can be done solo and hunt linkshells exist on every world for what little can't be solo'd. Cross world groups can be formed for instanced group content. Cross world linkshells for chat can be created for friends playing on different servers if they lack other forms of communication outside of the game. I've made alts on other worlds for the sake of visiting friends on those worlds when they just wanted people to come visit their houses and hang out chatting for a while.

The solution is there for those who want a house. It's up to them to use it. If they won't use it, then housing isn't something they want that badly after all.