Did you know that nearly one of every three U.S. adults lives with either a parent or a roommate? Of course, statistics like this imply that it is easy to find a roommate. It does offer hope, though, that there are options to be found if you are looking for a roommate. Plus, it is always nice to know you are not alone in your search for a solid, dependable roommate to share your home.
Finding the perfect roommate was once a shot in the dark. It was the stuff horror films were made of not so long ago. Fortunately, technology has made it easier than ever to find a roommate with whom you can live.
What to Look For
You will want to look for some things when choosing a roommate, and especially compatibility in the following areas.
- Work and sleep schedules. The last thing you want is a roommate blasting music or running the vacuum while you are trying to sleep.
- Financial ability. Employment, independent wealth, or overall ability to pay rent. Does the person have a good credit rating?
- Cleaning habits. It may have made for some hilarity in "The Odd Couple", but your best bet is to find a roommate with a similar commitment to cleanliness to your own. Will they pitch in on household chores?
- Pet preferences or allergies. No one wants to go to war over Fido or cat allergies. Plus, a roommate who prefers slithery pets for which you have a strong phobia, might not be the best match.
- Habits. Does the person drink, smoke, or do drugs?
- Interests. Do they habitually play loud music often or watch TV in your common areas?
- Health issues. Does the person have health concerns that could impact your living together?
- Introvert vs. extrovert. The other area where you want to seek compatibility is in this arena. It does no good for an introvert to move in with an extrovert if you are going to be under considerable stress from the constant flow of people into and out of your home.
Essentially, it is a good idea to understand issues that are important to you and make sure you are compatible with those nearest and dearest.
On the flip side, you will want to ask the potential roomie what they expect from you so that you can be sure you can deliver.
Useful Apps
There are quite a few apps online that help you find potential roommates that will meet your needs. Apps can be highly useful if you are interested in rooming with an unvetted stranger. Apps to consider include:
- Roommates.com. Offers a safe and secure method to help you find a roommate that will meet your needs by providing a private messaging center and fraud detection tools.
- Roomster. Take your roommate search across the globe with Roomster which offers rooms for rent around the world.
- Diggz. Offering roommate assistance through the U.S. and Canada, Diggz vets profiles, matches lifestyles, and more to ensure a great roommate match for your needs.
- Spare Room. Make your roommate search a snap with this app that prioritizes safety while allowing you to prioritize the qualities most important to you in a roommate.
- Cirtru. App offers 100,000 listings seeking roommates in more than 100 cities across the country.
Of course, it is important that you do not get so caught up in-app options that you overlook obvious options like the following:
- People within your friend group who are seeking roommates.
- Family members in other cities may be looking for a change of scenery.
- Recommendations from friends and family.
- Online classifieds.
- Social media.
Any one of these resources can be immensely helpful in your search for a roommate.
Making Decisions
Once you have had the opportunity to meet a few potential roommates, you can make your choice based on the one who matches your criteria best. If one does not stand out, do not rush to find a roommate and get locked into a year-long lease with someone that will make your life miserable that entire year.
Key Takeaways
- Compatibility is a must when searching for a roommate. You need to be compatible with them and they with you.
- Ground rules are also important for maintaining sanity and livability when living with someone else.
- Some apps have matching services that help match you with a suitable roommate with similar lifestyle interests.
- If you can afford to not rush the process of choosing a roommate, it can be beneficial.