How to Find a Roommate During a Recession

With the economy in recession mode and the unemployment rate up across the country, many people are looking for creative ways to cut corners and save cash. In addition to tightening your purse strings, a great way to save money is to get a roommate. Or two. Or even ten. While moving in with a stranger can be scary, especially if you're an adult who hasn't had a roommate since college, it can be an opportunity not only to save money, but also to cure loneliness and create a small community in your living space. Read on for tips to make your recession-time roommate hunting as painless as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

How to Find a Roommate During A Recession

1. Define your deal breakers and deal makers. Before you go searching for a roommate get clear about what personality traits and lifestyle factors you can and cannot live with.

2. Get logistical. The price of rent and the fact that the two of you like each other are just two small factors to consider when choosing the right roommate. Get nitty gritty when discussing the details of moving in together. Are you a night owl or a morning person? Will you have friends over a lot? How much noise is too much noise? Will the two of you share food? Who will pay the Internet bill? Who will buy toilet paper? How will you keep the house clean? Ask a lot of questions and be honest about your own answers to the same questions.

3. Trust your gut. If a potential person or living arrangement doesn't feel right, don't move forward. If you ignore those feelings because you want it to work out or because you are desperate, you are sure to find yourself in an even worse situation down the road. Be patient. The right situation will come along.

4. Investigate the space. If you are moving into somebody else’s home, find out before moving in what spaces your roommate is comfortable sharing. Will you be able to put your furniture in the common areas? Is there room in the kitchen for your dishes? Can you store your sporting goods in the garage?

5. Act like the landlord if somebody is moving into your home. Be clear about details such as when you expect rent due and what--if anything--is off limits for your roommate to use. Also make sure to check your potential new roommate’s references.

[Troyster]

on 9/10/2009 I've had lots of roommates over the years. I decided after a while that it was best to keep things seperate. I bought my own groceries. Cleaned up my own messes. I had my own spot in the refrigerator and I even bought my own toilet paper that I kept in a different place. I usually picked people that were stable/reliable and with a good lifestyle, someone I already knew, someone who didn't want a lot of people over, someone neat, clean and someone who wouldn't need the bathroom the same time I did etc. Having female roommates used to sound appealing to me, because I assumed they would be cleaner than men. I can tell you from experience, that is not an accurate assumption. Some people are neat and others are not (in both genders).

[sheraa]

on 9/10/2009 I love the ''trust ur guts part'' Great article !

[jseven]

on 9/9/2009 Good questions to ask!

[DiscountTickets]

on 9/9/2009 It's really important to trust someone for a roommate.

[AngieB]

on 9/9/2009 I have been renting to room mates for years now. One of the best tools I have is a month to month lease and a back page attached with "house norms". What doesn't go in a garbage disposal, pull your laundry so the next person doesn't have to wait, rotation of buying papertowels/garbage bags/dish soap/etc.. It is a clear way to address all these areas ahead of time & very clearly so "I didn't know" isn't an excuse later.