I have lived with a cat most of my life. I grew up with the first cat that we had, Misty lived for a very impressive 20 years. In my opinion a house is not a home without a cat! I lived for a couple of years without one but something was missing, this was when we decided to get another. I adopted Lucy from the RSPCA when she was 9. I would thoroughly recommend getting a cat from the RSPCA, they will have had full medical check ups, jabs and often are chipped I can not justify giving my money to someone in order to make a profit when the RSPCA have so many lovely animals in their care looking for loving homes. Not all cats from the RSPCA are nasty, unwanted and dificult as most people expect. Some can be a little more problematic than others for various reasons but it's all about getting the right cat for you! I think it's all about how you treat them if you give them your time and get to know them you'll soon find what works for your cat.
Kittens can be lovely but I have found adopting an older cat so very rewarding and I wouldn't change her one bit! Lucy was with the RSPCA because her owners were elderly and unable to look after her any more.
I cannot agree with anyone who thinks that cats are moody, agressive, tempremental animals who give very little back. I have lived with three cats and all three have been very loving, love to be fussed (which apparently can lead to owners living longer - stress reduction!) and yet their personalities are so different! My current cat likes to go to sleep on my pillow for instance (often on my head to be more specific!) and will be at my side keeping me company most of the time. I have never known her to scratch anyone, there's not a nasty bone in her body! Saying that she has been known to bring me little presants (birds, mice etc) but after all she's a cat.
My boyfriend has always, and I quote 'hated cats' but he's been living with us for about a year now and he even admits she's changed his mind!
You can't help but grow fond of them, they are elegant, curious, funny and loving animals who are so easy to love back, it's all about how you treat them!