Characteristics of a Great Roommate… and How to Find Them
Whether you decide to find a roommate to save money or for the company living with another person can bring, finding a roommate that won’t drive you nuts can be difficult. However, there are a few tips that can help to improve the likelihood that you will find someone who you’ll be able to laugh over a meal…and help to pay the rent too!
Communication
Communication extends past the small talk that we engage in daily. Living with another person can be difficult if you are not able to communicate with one another in an open and honest manner. Sharing expectations about who is responsible for what chores around the house can help to reduce any friction that may arise. After all, you are not mind readers, right?
Shared Consideration
Living with someone, particularly in the case of living with an essential stranger, can be a trying experience if one party does not have consideration for the other. Imagine your potential roommate deciding that midnight is the perfect time to learn how to play the drums. It would be clear that the newbie drummer lacks consideration for their roommate’s schedule. This could also include eating food that the other has purchased and cleaning chores around the house, both of which could also be tied to a lack of communication between you both.
Reliability
Just like expecting your car to start each time you turn the key, your prospective roommate should also be reliable. Reliability extends to include not only completing chores around the house and paying rent on time, but also what they do for a living, as their ability to cover their share of bills can depend significantly on whether they have a reliable source of income.
Cleanliness
Some people can be neat freaks, while others can be perfectly at peace while surrounded by clutter. Knowing what type of person would fit best with your personal style when it comes to cleanliness is an important aspect to consider. Keeping a chart of who is responsible for what chores can help to reduce any issues in the future.
Preventing an Odd Couple Situation
Harking back to the 70s television show, where one roommate was clean and tidy, while the other was messy and jovial may not be your ideal situation. So, how do you increase the odds that you will find an awesome roommate who meshes nicely with your personal style?
Let People Know!
This may sound like a no brainer, but ensuring that word gets out of your desire to find a roommate can be a daunting task. There are so many social media and online sites these days, it can be tricky to pick the right outlet for your needs. You can opt for websites such as Craigslist, but such a source can be quite hit or miss, as you can easily be bombarded with responses. However, this approach can help you to sort through the responses to see who sounds like the best fit for your personal preferences.
Interviews Are Not Only for the Workplace
While the thought of playing 20 questions with a stranger may be low on the list of things you enjoy doing, taking the time to interview prospective roommates can save you headaches in the future. Come up with a list of questions to ask so you will be prepared when you meet with potential roommates. Depending on the property, there may be rules and restrictions pertaining to pets and smoking, which should be addressed in your initial posting for a roommate. Additionally, ask about their schedule, if they often have a lot of people over, and their source of employment.
Conclusion
Sharing your place can be a great opportunity to not only save money on living expenses, but also a great way to meet awesome people. However, it can also be a laborious mission. Taking the time to reflect on what types of qualities would be a good fit for you can help to improve your odds of sharing your place with a great roommate.
Sources:
Adams, K. (2018, June 7). How to pick a good roommate. Retrieved from https://www.landlordology.com/how-to-pick-a-good-roommate/
Gallagher, B. (2013, September 13). 10 Things to Discuss with Your Roommate Before You Move In. Retrieved from https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/09/things-to-discuss-with-a-roommate-before-moving-in/
Mississippi College. (2015). 7 Qualities of a Good Roommate. Retrieved from http://choctawk.mc.edu/blog/2015/2/12/qualities-of-a-good-roommate
Schreck, N. (2015, August 12). How to find a trustworthy roommate. Retrieved from https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2015/08/12/how-to-find-a-trustworthy-roommate
