The Characteristics of Good Roommates

There are many things to keep in mind when choosing a roommate.

Living with someone can be challenging at times, especially if that individual comes from a different background or has an opposite lifestyle. Most people, at some time in their life, will likely have to learn how to live with a roommate, which is why it is important to think about what sort of characteristics make a person desirable to live with.

Responsible With Money

Look for a roommate who is responsible with money. This is important because there will be a variety of situations where money will have to be paid for obvious things like rent, but also bills will need to be put in someone's name and split in equal parts. Establish that the potential roommate has good credit, a solid income source, and always split the responsibility of signing up for utilities equally.

Courteous of Space

Living with roommates can be a great deal of fun at times, but there are also opportunities for accidental awkward situations to occur, especially when one roommate might have a different idea of boundaries than the other roommate. Search out a roommate who has similar ideas of what is appropriate in what rooms, during what times. Roommates should also discuss the level of comfort with overnight guests and parties. Respecting personal space is one of the characteristics of a good roommate.

Courteous of Belongings

Living with someone means forming an understanding that not only is the environment a safe place to live, but a trustful area to keep belongings. Establishing the appropriate level of comfort about borrowing each other's things and which items are allowed to be borrowed will eliminate this problem from the start. A good roommate will be respectful of others food, items and apparel. Many people have a more communal thought process than others, but two people should not share each other's things unless it has been mutually discussed or agreed upon.

Cleanliness

Two people who live together but do not share the same views on cleanliness can create a recipe for disaster. Finding someone who has similar cleaning habits will ensure that one roommate doesn't feel as if she is doing all the work or feels like she lives in a disgusting house. A characteristic of a good roommate is someone who will, at the very least, clean up after herself.

References

• Get a Roomie: How To Be a Good Roomie
• Seventeen Magazine: How to Be a Good Roommate