Tips on Living With a Roommate
Living with a roommate can be tough. Whether you are moving into a dorm, apartment or house, with an old friend or complete stranger, happy cohabitation takes work. You may find your best friend squeezes the toothpaste from the middle of the tube or people have different definitions of "clean." You'll be surprised what irks you over time, but a lost friendship and moving out may be avoidable if you keep these tips in mind.
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Your Needs
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Before getting a roommate, thoroughly consider your needs for your living space. Make a list of things you can't budge on. Noise levels at different times of day, shower times (if you share a bathroom), decorative styles and your definition of clean all must be considered. Figure out what you are willing to share with your roommate and what must stay divided. Do the math and keep in mind how much you can afford, not only for rent, but also for utilities, cable, Internet, groceries, toiletries and cleaning supplies. Consider how much privacy you need; whether you like quiet time to yourself or prefer to be around people. Knowing what you need helps you, as roommates, to decide how to live together.
Background Questions
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If you don't know your soon-to-be roommate, you need to ask and answer the background questions before moving in together. You may be a bit taken aback if you never hear about siblings, and six brothers and sisters show up on your front doorstep with sleeping bags and pillows. Ask about hometowns, families, jobs, areas of study (if in college), favorite music and movies, activities and personality traits. Discuss who brings what for the shared living space. Find out when the person sleeps and studies, as well as what he/she cannot live without. If your roomie rushes home every Thursday to watch a certain television show, you'll want to know to stay clear of the television remote at that time.
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The Rules
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Write out the roommate agreement together. Map out the rules for everything to avoid any confusion later. Decide who is going to do what chores and when each task must be done. If you want a communal living environment, discuss how the shopping will be divided. Decide on television usage, when music can be played (and how loud), shower times and procedure for when one person gets up early and the other sleeps in (especially in dorms). Discuss the awkward topics, such as overnight guests and rules for visitors. If it makes you uncomfortable for your roommate's boyfriend to spend the night, discuss a compromise. Set rules for guests, whether they are allowed to eat your food, sleep in your bed when you are gone, how much notice you require before guests come and how long they are allowed to stay. Covering the topics while they are still "what ifs" is much simpler than discussing the issues after something happens.
Communication
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Communication is the key to any living arrangement. You are going to do things that annoy the other person, and so will your roomie. Tell your roommate in a direct, but nice, way when something bothers you and suggest a solution. Be willing to compromise and respect your roommate's wishes, property and ideas.
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References
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