When moving away from home, the time may come when you may consider having a roommate. Roommates can be the best experience ever, or it could be the worst thing to happen ever happen to you. Choosing a roommate is a difficult decision, so here are some things to consider before signing a lease.
Extrovert vs Introvert
Are you able to sit next to other people without flinching? Or at a party do you hide in the corner? If you really can’t stand the thought of sharing your living space with another person, you have a few options. If living alone isn’t a possibility, you may want a roomie who is also an introvert. Another introvert would understand your feelings and would avoid invading your space. It could also be a big help if the roommate you choose is hardly home or works during the time you would be awake, this way there are less chances to have to deal with another person in the same space as you.
Cleanliness
Are you a neat freak or a slob? Both of these categories have personal limits of how clean or dirty a room could be before they go crazy. If you’re more of an extreme neat freak then it’s best to avoid anyone who is really messy. In having to share a living space, you may get lucky and find someone who perfectly matches your needs for cleanliness, but don’t room with someone who is too far from your personal limit.
Personalities
Your roommate could potentially become a good friend. Look for people that you get along with and have similar lifestyles to you. For example, if you go to school all week and party all weekend, you would want a roommate who wouldn’t complain about you making noise when you come back home late at night, or if you want to host a party at your place.
Technology
To help make the roommate search even easier, there are many apps out there that can help. Check out apps like Roomster which allows you to search by location and room type, or Roomi which allows you to search major cities and has a profile of each possible roommate.
Combine some or all of the tips above to find your best roommate match, and if you can, don’t rush into a decision until you feel you picked someone you’re comfortable with. Choosing a roommate can be hard, but when you know what you’re looking for it becomes much easier.
Cover Image by Hana Haley
Anna Lee
Olivia Spring
Anna Lee
Alana James