You can't afford to live WITHOUT roommates, but can you live WITH them?
Increase the odds of getting along by looking at these 7 key factors.
1. Neatness Level
Before renting a place together, have an honest talk about your own cleaning habits and messiness levels.
How much mess can you handle, and how much cleaning are you willing to do? Be honest with each other from the start.
2. Party Time
How much partying can you handle?
Everybody loves a party, right?
Not this guy trying to sleep in the next room...
Quiz
Benji likes his quiet time. He has four roommate options. Who should he choose?
3. Alcohol And Substance Use
Make sure you're on the same page with drinking and other substances.
If your idea of breakfast is coffee from Starbucks, and theirs is rum and coke, you may have a compatibility problem.
4. Privacy
Make sure you share the same limits on privacy.
There is such a thing as too much sharing. Have a discussion before signing the lease.
5. Together Time
Are you both looking for some together time, or does one of you prefer to be alone?
Everyone needs SOME alone time, but how much?
Overall, you'll mesh better with someone who has the same ideas about the amount of time you will spend together.
6. Pets
Do you:
love pets?
hate pets?
have pets?
want pets?
What about your roommate? Are you both ready to be pet parents?
Quiz
Jamie is allergic to cats, but his friend has two. He is considering renting an apartment with them. After all, the friend promises to do all the pet care and to keep them in their own room. What should Jamie do?
7. Money, Money, Money
Does your possible roomie have the funds to pay their half? Rent, utilities, pizza?
Make sure you know how they plan to pay their share.
Take Action
Don't get stuck in a lease with someone who isn't a good fit!
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