“And they were roommates.”
We’ve all heard it before, don’t be roommates with your best friend. Or be careful who you’re roommates with. Well before you sign any leases or agree to be roommates with someone , think through all the possibilities and make sure it’s the right decision. Oftentimes, leases are hard and expensive to break and it is a pain to find someone to fill your spot.
But you’re in luck because I’m here to help with deciding if your BFF is worthy of being a ROOMIE.
The dynamics of dorm-roommates and apartment or housemates are very different. Instead of sharing a small 10×10 space, you’re sharing a common areas, bathrooms, and closets.
If you dreaded sharing a dorm room with someone, my suggestion is to look for somewhere with multiple bedrooms so you can have your own space. There’s something about a room that’s all yours where you can shut and lock the door when needed.
If you don’t mind sharing a room, remind yourself that it’ll be another year of close quarters and phone screen lights from across the room.
Whatever you decide, make sure it’s what is best for you (and your budget).
But the million dollar question, “Who Should I Be Roommates With?”. Are they supposed to be your best friend? An acquaintance? Or someone random you found online? Well, it’s up to you, however make sure you know what you’re getting into.
If you’re thinking of living with a friend you have never lived with before, talk to them. Are they a night person? A morning person? Would they consider themselves messy? Clean? And of course during the pandemic, are they covid safe? What are their opinions and boundaries for COVID-19 times?
Sit down, or grab your phone and ask your potential future roommates what they’re like. Hopefully this will be a good idea of what they will actually be like, but no promises. Make sure that your opinions are matched on important things like cleanliness and COVID rules.
No – not everyone is going to align specifically on their sleeping schedule and when they like it to be quiet. However, keep in mind that there is a bit of sacrifice and grace when it comes to cohabitating. You’re not always going to like hearing them in the kitchen at 8am making their green smoothie, but it’s part of living with people.
If you do decide to live with your bestie, remember to set boundaries. Going from separate living besties to roommates and besties is a big jump. Make sure that your friendship can handle a bit of turbulence. At the end of the day, living with your bestie might be a testament to who they are as a friend and person.
Maybe you’re thinking that you don’t want to strain your bestie relationship and turn it into a roomie situation. Well, many people have luck with living with someone they knew briefly, had a class with, or are not the “best of friends with”. And that is totally fine! It’s the separation of church and state that can ease your living and friend situation.
I’d suggest comparing and asking your acquaintance all of the same questions to make sure the basics align. However, being roommates with someone you don’t know very well can actually be very nice. There’s something about being able to not mix your besties with your roomies, or being able to get some space and alone time from your friends.
Finally, maybe you’re just looking to sign a lease with someone you barely know at all. Did you see a listing on Facebook Marketplace or Housing Classified Groups? Sometimes you can squeeze into a lease from someone who has left the apartment and it can end in the best possible scenario.
First of all, I suggest meeting them first and touring the space you’re looking into. Make sure that your boundaries align and you don’t hate each other right off the bat. But this situation means you have to take a leap of faith. Try and sign a 6 month lease to give yourself an out if things don’t work out. But if that random person is the best roommate ever, extend the lease!
Whether you’re getting into a lease with your best friend, class-buddy, or a random person, make sure to give people grace. People are going to have bad days, messy days, and “I don’t want to talk days,” and at the end of the day, give ‘em grace and a bit of leniency.