I’ve been living with roommates ever since I moved into my first apartment in college. Although I’ve had my fair share of roommate problems, I’ve kept living with roommates because I like having people around to hang out with and to split the rent and utility bills with. Is the roommate route the best option for you? It’s best to figure that out before the horror that can come from a bad roommate experience. We’ve all been there and it’s not fun!
Here are some things to consider before you decide to move in with someone and the pros and cons of each.
Pro: You have someone to split costs with
Having a roommate can be a great way to cut down on apartment costs. Living in a big city, it’s much harder to find an affordable studio or one-bedroom. Having roommates allows me to live in a nice neighborhood and apartment at a reasonable price. Roommates are also great to split the cost of other things such as utility bills, groceries, furniture, and other apartment-related expenses.
Con: They’re not reliable when it comes to payments
While it may be nice to have someone to share costs with, a roommate can end up costing you. If your potential roommate is not reliable with money, you could end up paying in the long run. There are fees for late payments and if your roommate ends up not being able to pay rent, its possible you can even be evicted.
Pro: You have someone to split chores with
A roommate can be great to share the burden of cleaning and apartment chores with. If you’re living alone, the load falls all on you but with a roommate you can have someone to help clean, take out the garbage, walk the dog, or whatever other chores you may have.
Con: They treat the apartment like their own personal garbage can
On the flip side, your new roommate could turn your apartment into a disaster zone. I had one roommate who never washed any of his dishes until they piled up so high in the sink you couldn’t even use it anymore.
Pro: You have someone to hang out with
Having a roommate means that there’s always someone around. You never have to worry about getting lonely or coming home to an empty apartment.
Con: You never have any privacy
If you’re someone who likes his or her privacy, the roommate route may not be the best option for you. Some roommates can demand a lot of attention or time and if you’re not ready to give them, reconsider your living situation.
Moral of the story: If you’re going to live with someone, make sure they’re responsible and reliable when it comes to money and payments, they have the same respect for cleanliness as you do, and they respect your boundaries when it comes to privacy.
