Have you ever had a roommate? I think that anyone who has had roommates has had some good roommates and some bad roommates. I have had roommates for the last six years of my life, and now know what type of roommates I work best with. So here's why it is important to have a good roommate and how they can make an impact on your life.

1. Feeling comfortable at home at all times.

Having a roommate that you are friends with can be a big benefit. Being able to feel at home all the time is a feeling that beats all others. Feeling comfortable enough to walk around in your pajamas and not be judged is something you can't always get with a roommate.

2. Someone to hang out with all the time.

I think we all have had roommates that we don't really want to talk to or hang out with when you are home. Having a roommate that you can comfortably hang out with on the regular is great. Having stuff in common with your roommate makes that even easier.

3. Being able to agree on household issues.

Sharing a place with someone who you can agree on house issues is a huge relief. Agreeing on the temperature in the apartment is a way bigger problem than you would think. I have managed to be lucky all my years of having roommates and always roomed with other guys that like being cold. I know plenty of people that have fought over the temperature in their apartment and that single continuous argument killed their friendship.

4. Having similar eating habits.

Rooming with someone that has similar eating habits can be a good thing if you both like to eat healthily. For me, I have luckily had at least one roommate at every place I have lived that also enjoys grocery shopping and cooking. As someone who really enjoys cooking, I have found it to be difficult to get myself to go grocery shopping and cook when I am the only one doing it in the apartment.

5. Having similar work schedules.

In college, I was that annoying roommate that worked a night job and would get home at 4 a.m. and then not wake up until noonish. I got lucky for most of college and had roommates that also just naturally stayed up late and woke up late. There were a few years where I was not as lucky and had roommates that had early schedules which would really hard to deal with especially when you share walls.

6. Always having a workout partner.

For people that don't like or do like to workout having a roommate that is willing to go with you can really help. Living with someone that dislikes going to the gym as much as you do so you both empathize with dreading to go can be a big push. When one of you doesn't want to go and the other is pushing you to go to the gym. For roommates that both enjoy working out it is nice to have someone to be able to go with and have a routine with.

7. Somone to hold you accountable.

When you have a good roommate you will notice that they hold you accountable for things that you say. I use to get on my old roommates when I knew someone had a test and I hadn't seen them studying at all. I would start holding them accountable and asking them why they haven't studied. This can go for anything from going to the gym, eating better or even cleaning your room.

8. Someone to celebrate with.

Now some can confuse these next two, but they don't always go hand in hand. Sometimes you get a roommate that is, of course, going to want to celebrate whatever you are celebrating. Maybe they are just the type of roommate that loves to party no matter the reason and wants to celebrate. Even if they are just a partier having someone that you can always celebrate with is a huge plus!

9. Someone to pick you up when you are down.

Having a roommate that will pick you up when you are down is not always a trait that goes with a roommate that will celebrate with. The partier might not be the best talker in bad or sad situations. This is why having a roommate that can do both is beneficial because living with someone that you can party with, and go to with problems just makes life a lot easier.

10. Someone that respects boundaries.

A roommate that respects boundaries is one trait that I feel everyone wants in a roommate. I have had the unfortunate situation of having roommates that did not respect my boundaries. Living with someone that just doesn't know when to give you your space is something that is just incredibly hard. Being in a fortunate situation where you do have a roommate that can respect your boundaries I would say is a pretty nice thing to have and don't take it for granted.

At the end of the day, you never find a roommate that fits into all these categories. I'd say if you get a roommate that fits into even 50% you are doing pretty well. However, if you do ever find yourself lucky enough to have a roommate that fits into all ten of these then I would consider yourself lucky and make sure to treat that roommate as your best friend.