Apartment hunting season may be winding down for a lot of upperclassmen, and to freshmen new to the experience may discover that hunting for roommates can be an essential part of the hunting process.
Bearing down the right apartment can be anywhere in the range of "duh, of course" to making compromises you never considered. Finding a good 3rd or 4th roommate can serve the same purpose, either a breeze or down to the wire.
So, here are 11 ways to check yourself for the right roommate fit.
1. Know What You Want
The best way to start out with searching for a roommate is to have an idea of yourself and what kind of person would best fit that. This doesn't have to be soul searching or like finding an SO, simply knowing "I need a female roommate, who I would like to be in my major, and is also 21" can be all you need.
2. Be Flexible
In the same breath, know when to compromise and don't be too rigid. Have hard limits and allow yourself some softer ones, because nobody's on their A-game morning, noon, and night.
3. Post in the Right Places
If you're looking for a roommate that attends your college, then post to local Facebook marketplaces that a lot of students will be on and non-students are banned. Compile a cute advertisement with prints, colors, and fonts to post to Instagram to attract other people around your age.
4. Having an Older Roommate
A roommate older than you may have more experience living in apartments and therefore respects boundaries and privacy better, but your lifestyles can be totally different.
5. Having a Younger One
Whereas a younger roommate can be easier to converse with, and not feel like they're taking advantage of you. However, you may need to have more conversations about responsibilities!
6. Don't Look For a New Best Friend
First time apartment lookers might think they want someone who they overall are close to, and while liking and being on good terms with your roommate is great, you want someone who can clean up their own dishes in a timely fashion and be respectful above all else.
7. But Pick Wisely Among Friends
If you've been traveling with your best friend before, stayed in hotel rooms, driven long distances, and/or had healthy disagreements spot up that were resolved, then living together may be a great thing to do! Otherwise, recall your training from dorm life: some close friends are better at rooming with than others.
8. Set Boundaries
Know which things are for mutual use, blow dryers, Q-tips, cleaning supplies, air fresheners, etc. and which are not. Does leaving a pizza on the counter mean it's a free for all, or will it start World War III?
9. Know Who is Supplying What
Who's getting a vacuum cleaner? Do we really need to each bring our own silverware? Where are these dorm-room futons going to go? Toilet cleaning supplies, anyone? Do you get the paper towels and they let you use their spices in the cabinet?
10. Get a Grasp of Their Schedule
Late nights are what they are, but if you're placing an ad for a roommate, why not get a good sense of the depth this person likes to go out and come home late. And not just because you want to go with!
11. What's the Guest Policy?
Going out every night is one thing, but it's a whole different pie regarding who is being brought back. Walking into the door after traveling all weekend, or even just having a long day, are you fine with a roommate having guests in the living room until 2 am four days a week? As with any other item in this list, it's an aspect to consider when looking for roommates either known or unknown to you, and these tips can help you know what works best!
