Just as there are benefits to living solo, there are certainly upsides to living with a roommate or two. But the hard part of perfecting this situation is choosing the perfect match for you. For just as many success stories, there are also a slew of horror stories associated with sharing a residence. To prevent any potential drama, look for these qualities in your next roommate or roommates:
Financial stability
One of the main reasons that someone chooses to have one or more roommates is to ease the financial burden of rent. But remember, you’re potentially signing a lease together and sharing utility bills, therefore it’s uber important to protect your credit rating. Have a clear-cut agreement of who will be responsible for what and get it in writing with signatures. It’s not personal, just business! Be smart – don’t allow yourself the opportunity to be put into a financial bind. Even if you’re planning to pair up with friends, this is still so very necessary. They should be expecting the same of you!
Commonalities
This part is a bit tricky, but compatibility plays a huge role in your comfort levels. The night owl/party animal will probably not bode well with someone who is completely opposite. Think things through and discuss differences and expectations in advance.
Cleanliness
This is a really big deal. As a matter of fact, you should have an open discussion of how common area cleanliness will be dealt with. One would assume that adults wouldn’t need chore charts, but you never know a person’s habits until you’re too far deep in the game. Set clear expectations and parameters just so there are no surprise conflicts.
Respect
This is by far the most important aspect of finding your ideal housemate(s). Since this is very different from living solo, you will need to be considerate of the people you live with. Yes, everyone pays the bills and might feel that they can do anything they want, but it all boils down to respect. No one should have to walk on eggshells, but in the same breath, no one should be made to feel uncomfortable either. Set ground rules early for minimal problems.
Note, you never truly know a person until you actually live in the same space, so please exercise caution and have always have a ‘Plan B’ just in case things don’t pan out as you imagined. Don’t dive in head-first, really do your research!
