Roommates can be one of the best things about college, but they can also be one of the worst. Living with someone is a big commitment and when you sign a year lease, you want to make sure it is with the right person. While opposites may attract, when it comes to finding a compatible roommate, you should look for someone with similar living styles and personal habits.
Since the two of you will be sharing a house, you should consider each other’s living styles. If a few dishes in the sink doesn’t bother you, but a dirty bowl that has not yet made its way to the dishwasher sends your roommate into a panic attack, you realize the importance of having similar cleaning standards. The kitchen, living room, and sometimes even bathrooms, are common areas in the house that everyone should be able to enjoy. Roommates should be able to establish rules about cleaning up after themselves and be able to take turns doing routine cleaning. One thing you might also want to consider is how responsible they are when it comes to rent and bills. One of the most common reasons to have a roommate is to split expenses, so you want to make sure you live with someone who understands that. Usually the total amount of rent is due at the beginning of each month no matter who it comes from, which means if your roommate forgets to pay rent, you could get in trouble for it.
When looking for a roommate, you should try to find someone with similar personal habits. One thing you are definitely going to want to ask about is someone’s smoking, alcohol, and drug habits. While it might be their personal business what they choose to do, when you live with someone, it can affect you too. If you are not a smoker, you probably don’t want your house smelling like an ashtray, or if you drink alcohol, you might not want a roommate who doesn’t want it in the house. You should also consider both of your views on sharing. Are you the type of person who buys your own stuff, uses your own stuff, and wants it to stay that way? Well, then you might not want a roommate who is the oldest of four children and is used to sharing everything.