Living off campus in college apartments is awesome. You finally have your own place. No more dorms and nasty roommates. You’re about to get excited, then you calculate your budget. You realize how much cheaper rent is with a housemate. Don’t stress. Here are 6 tips for finding the perfect college housemate.
1. To Party, Or Not To Party
Do you spend all night studying or would you rather knock back a few with your friends? Be up front when you interview prospective housemates. Disclose party habits and any vices. Do you smoke? Drink? Love loud music? Don’t get stuck with a party pooper. If you like your peace and quiet, don’t sign a lease with a frat boy. In this case, opposites do not attract.
2. Dangerous Couples
You found the love of your life and you want to live together to save money and enjoy each other’s company. Stop right there. Maybe you did find the one, maybe you didn’t. Even if your relationship survives college, sometimes a little space is healthy.
Keep the same thing in mind before you sign a lease with a couple. Do you really want to be the third wheel? What if one breaks up with the other and your rent suddenly goes up? Couples can be dangerous.
3. Personality Pet Peeves
Make a list of personality traits you can’t stand. Suggest your prospective housemate do the same. If you even suspect the other person has one or more of those traits, say goodbye. Same goes if you meet any of their most-hated criteria.
4. Drawing Clear Boundaries
Before you sign a lease together, establish clear boundaries. Be respectful of your housemate’s space and things. If you share, return it in good condition or replace it. If your housemate does not respect your space, at least you can take the moral high ground when you ask them to move out.
5. Keep It Clean
Come to an understanding with your housemates about how you’re going to keep the apartment clean. Who cleans what and when do they clean it? Do you mind dishes piling up for weeks or do you prefer them cleaned immediately? Be honest and save yourself trouble down the line. One of the best ways to stay on top of cleaning is to create a cleaning schedule for projects that need to be completed daily, weekly and monthly.
6. Friends Or Strangers?
Rooming with friends is a blast. It can also be the end of a beautiful friendship. Seriously consider whether or not you think you can handle living with your best friend. Sometimes it’s better to live with a total stranger or an acquaintance. At best you gain another friend. At worst you get to keep your close friends.
Keep these tips in mind when you interview housemates for your perfect apartment. You won’t regret it. Do you have any other ideas for choosing the perfect housemate?
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Hey very interesting blog!