How to Pick the Best Roommate Living Situation

A roommate living situation is definitely not the same situation as living with a loved one. When living with someone you love and care about; sometimes a little more cleaning up is not a major issue for you because you're cleaning up after someone you love. Or having a loved one playing music and TV while you're sleeping can be overlooked from time to time. Having to spend time with a loved one's friends is just more comfortable because they're friends of your loved one. But, with a stranger or someone you just wouldn't normally hang out with or care about; these little things can become big nightmares.

When going to look at a new place that you're going to move into with roommates; first check out the cleanliness as thoroughly as you possibly can. I cannot stress this enough. You should look at the overall appearance of the shared areas; but also open the refrigerator, microwave, stove and cabinets. Overlooking all of these things is a BAD idea because these are the places you will have to look in everyday to prepare food and entertain friends. If these areas are filthy or molded; you will have to live with this until the lease runs out-or at least until you find a new place. If it is intolerable for you and tolerable for your roommates; you might have to break down and clean it yourself; or hire a maid.

Look everywhere you can think to look and as you go around meeting all of your potential roommates. If you get a chance to peak in their rooms do so. Are your potential roommates relatively clean people? Or are there socks that look like they've been worn 80 times in a row squished into the corners of your potential roommates' rooms?

Are one meal's worth of dishes stacked in the corner waiting to go to the kitchen and be washed; or are there cans and spilled fluids and crumb filled plates everywhere? Many people in roommate situations take the attitude that if they're messy, that's they're responsibility. This is true. But, it is really disgusting to look at and smell a roommate's mess all the time that they refuse to clean up. It also breeds roaches and mice.

As far as socializing and sleep, get acquainted with your potential roommates' established noise rules and your roommates' typical work and play hours. A private entrance is always a plus for you; so if you can get one try to. Find out if your roommates have a lot parties and gatherings and how many strange people circulate in and out of the house on a regular basis. Make sure your roommates' habits are something you can tolerate.

Everyone has their own life; but you have a right to have some idea of what to expect before you move in. Find out about all of your roommates' policies on drinking, smoking and drugs. Make sure that you are in agreement on all areas of social behavior because that can most assuredly be a hot button.

Another good idea to try to do-if you can do it before moving in-is to hang out socially with your potential new roommates; and maybe even spend the night on the couch. This can give you a really good perspective on your roommates' personalities and whether you guys will work as a group.