Advice on How to Find a Sane Roomate

Finding a roommate should be an easy task but to find a good roommate is the challenge. Here are a few suggestions so you can be up for the challenge of finding a great roommate.

Interview many people before you decide who to live with. Don't be afraid to ask questions or even ask for references from their job and a personal reference. Once they move in you don't want any surprises. Think about the age of your roommate. Do you want to live with an eighteen year old who just started college? Look at college bulletin boards and see if you can find a suitable roommate candidate. Look for a serious student not a party student. There are many mature serious students out there and you can find them. Maybe you prefer an older roommate but make sure they don't have a kid that they forgot to mention. Also, remember to ask about their pets, drugs, and party or alcohol habits. You are not their mother.

You are just someone who does not want to get thrown out of her apartment because someone though it was fine to grow some marijuana plants in the backyard since you smoked it too. It's good to be upfront to each at the beginning of this potential relationship to weed out any possible problems like drugs or alcohol consumption. Ask them how much do they think it too much?

Do they like to have parties once in a while or every Friday night or are they the quiet type who likes to read. Ask yourself which one you prefer or do you want a combination of both worlds. Ask them if they consider themselves a early bird or a night owl? It's good to know if your roommate is a light sleeper. Will the slightest noise woke the roommate up if you get up earlier?

Ask if the potential roommate can cook so you both can know when each wants to cook each night, especially if you have a small kitchen. If you get a great cook for a roommate be careful of gaining weight.

Also,be aware if you roommate has an allergy like a deadly peanut allergy. It always good to know about potential health problems. Another health problem could be if you notice that your roommate is drinking or not eating at all. You should get emergency contact numbers if any health problems should occur. Get their doctor information and ask if they have health benefits before it can mean a matter of life or death. If you are living in close quarters with someone you will be the one who notices a potential problem first.

Even if your money is tight and you need to get a roommate right away, pay for the credit and the background check. It is worth the money if it means you get an honest roommate.

Think about a male roommate. They are good for protection. But be careful that you are not sexual attracted to them. A gay roommate would be ideal if possible.

Also, never share the phone. You should each have your own phone. A cellphone would be ideal. You don't want a four hundred dollar phone bill.

Don't share furniture. If one of you leaves then who gets to keep the couch if you both paid half for it? Also, decide how much you want to divide the food. Do you really want to have an argument about who ate all the cereal?

When you first meet look at their appearance. Do they look neat and are they organized enough to hand you over all your requests for references right away. If they look sloppy and like they just rolled out of bed on your interview. Ask yourself if they will be just as sloppy when it comes to chores or giving you money on time.

Until you know the roommate it's better to not talk about your money and investment in front of them. Put a password on your computer. It is bad enough how much personal information people discuss in public in front of strangers on their cell phones. Don't regret it and do the same thing.

It may seem like a great idea to move in with your sister or best friend. But sometimes be together all the time can too close for comfort. Do you remember all those silly fights you had as a kid. Well other silly fights can come up just as fast as an adult. Plus, it will be harder to keep certain things private when you can have your sister accidental mention that secret boyfriend to parents. If you move in your best friend you may get tired of talking all the time. Bar night on weekends may lose that special appeal.

If you have an older relative who has a lot of space, but just needs some company or a little extra help, think about sharing that big house with them. Just be sure that they're not sick and they just want to live with them to take care of them. You can help them, if they are older, with chores but not help them with taking a bath. Be clear that you won't be their care taker if you live them. Living with them can be a great way to learn about an older person life and you can get a very close loving relationship as a result of living together. Aunts can become like a second mothers. Just be careful as mentioned above with the pitfalls of living with your sister.

You can find a great roommate but it just takes time. It's good to be harsh and ask the tough questions to a potential roommate to avoid future problems. After all you will have to live for at least a year until the lease expires. Look to see if it is possible to get a shorter lease until you are sure you can live in peace and harmony. You will know right away if you click. A great roommate new roommate may be ringing the bell right now.