Not all of us are rich enough to live by ourselves, and not all of us want to live with our parents for the rest of our lives either. Where does that leave us? It’s time to find out how to get a roommate — and preferably one who we get along great with.
Living with someone you don’t know at all can be awkward. Living with someone you know sort of well, but may not like can get even more awkward. So, if you’re like a lot of renters out there, you’re first choice for a new roomie is a very close friend who you really know. Usually, this can work out really well. If you aren’t careful though, it could also be the next step in your path to a messy friend break-up on The Jerry Springer Show.
Really ask yourself if you think you can share a communal space with this person for an extended period of time. Does he or she do something that bugs you? Don’t fret about being a bad friend. This is about being a good one. You want to make sure you come out of this, still friends.
None of your friends need a roomy? Then it’s time to search. Here are some things to consider when choosing the perfect roommate:
Begin the Quest
If you don’t have any friends who you think would be good candidates, it’s time to start searching. Tell everybody that you are looking for a roommate, ask around, and put flyers up around your campus/work to get the word out. If I were you, I’d include an email address and not a personal telephone number. You want to avoid ending up on a spam call list!
Another great place to post an ad is on an online community site or simply on social media. Describe a little bit about yourself and what you are looking for in a roommate. Also, if you think you’d only be comfortable rooming someone of the same sex, then don’t be afraid to say so..
Keep it Real
Don’t tell someone that you are a neat freak when you really aren’t. False advertising stinks. Remember: you are trying to make this as comfortable a situation as possible for everyone involved. Avoid future “Real World” moments.
If you are a hardcore studier and don’t like a lot of parties, let it be known. Feel out your potential roommates before you commit to sharing a bathroom with them. But don’t make yourself out to be something that you are not.
Meet Up
You most definitely do not want to be 4 months into a lease and realize you’ve leased with your new worst enemy. This can be prevented.
Once you’ve advertised yourself truthfully and had a few qualified responses, meet in-person. And just like if you were meeting someone off the net, meet at a public place, have dinner, get into conversation and see how you align.
Conduct your Roommate Preview
Now, it’s time for what we call a “Roommate Preview.” Prepare a list of rules and things you expect in this new roommate situation. If your rules are along the same lines, then chances are you’ll be good roommates.
However, if you’re a party animal, and they are an anti-social hermit, it’s probably not a good match. Having your roommate call the cops on your own house party is NOT fun.
Plan for friendship—or Don’t!
So, you’ve completed your search and you found your new roommate. Things may be a little awkward at first, but hopefully your search went well and you have a fantastic new buddy to share your place with.
Personally, I’ve had a roommate or two, and from my experience you soon get more comfortable with each other. You can even become good friends, believe it or not! But, if you are like Oprah and have enough friends, it’s ok to be cordial with your roommate and just look at it as a partnership that cuts your rent in half. They probably think the same about you. Happy Renting!
