Safeload Coverage
Choosing a roommate from a pool of unfamiliar people can feel overwhelming, and the prospect of living in a new place with a new person may sound intimidating. Fortunately, the Moving Help® Marketplace has outlined a strategy for how to find a roommate, including a list of 10 questions to ask your roommate.
Keep reading to discover your living preferences and learn how to find a roommate who is compatible with your preferences.
DOWNLOAD THE 10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POTENTIAL ROOMMATE INFOGRAPHIC
Understanding Why You Want a Roommate
Before looking for a roommate, start by understanding why you want a roommate in the first place. Your reason can ultimately determine the type of roommate that’s most compatible with you.
Practical Needs
You need someone who can share household responsibilities with you. The roommate serves a practical purpose — such as splitting the bills or sharing the chores — and your standards may be lower for other domains, especially if you’re in dire need of someone to lighten your load.
Social Needs
Maybe you’re looking to make friends in a new city or perhaps you prefer the company of others and prefer not to live alone. Whatever the case may be, you want to look for a roommate who’s excited to spend time together.
College Needs
Perhaps you want to avoid a university-assigned random roommate, or maybe you’re looking for a fresh start after a negative roommate experience last year. In these cases where you seek control over your living space, you may want to be especially selective.
10 Questions to Ask Your Roommate: Understanding Everyone’s Preferences
When possible, it’s valuable to learn more about your potential roommate’s living preferences. Below is a list of questions to ask your roommate.
Start by answering the questions for yourself, so you can understand your preferences and prepare to voice your expectations in front of your potential roommate. Then, discuss these questions with your potential roommate and gauge compatibility.
No perfect formula exists for discovering roommate compatibility. What’s most important is to answer the questions honestly so the process is fair for you and your potential roommate.
If the other person is messy, you wouldn’t want them to lie about being super clean. Stay honest and don’t be that person who lies. Although your style may not align with one person, it could be a great match for someone else.
DOWNLOAD THE 10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POTENTIAL ROOMMATE INFOGRAPHIC
1. Why Do They Want a Roommate?
Make sure you and your potential roommate are on the same page about what you’re looking for in each other.
2. What Are Their Expectations for the Roommate Relationship?
You don’t need to become best friends with your roommate to have a positive — or even a neutral — experience. You or your roommate, however, may not feel this way.
It can be fun to attempt a friendship, but it’s not worthwhile to force a friendship that clearly isn’t meant to be. Establishing these expectations early on can prevent awkward roommate interactions down the line.
3. What Is Their Price Limit and Ability to Pay Rent?
What do they do for a living? Determine whether they have a stable source of monthly income.
4. How Do They Feel About Pets?
Do you or your potential roommate have allergies, aversions, or preferences when it comes to pets? If one of you goes out of town and leaves your pet(s) behind, does a pet-sitter come, or is the other roommate responsible for animal care?
5. Do They Have Any Allergies or Food Intolerances?
How will this change your eating and cleaning habits, particularly with a shared kitchen and dining area?
6. What Are Their Expectations Regarding Guests?
How much warning do they expect you to give before bringing a guest over? What if it’s more than a few guests? How frequently can guests come over, and what days or times are off-limits for guests?
7. What Are Their Partying, Drinking, and Smoking Habits?
How could their habits influence you and your behavior — for better or for worse?
8. What Are Their Cleaning Habits?
How often do they like to clean, and what are their favorite and least favorite household chores? How do they define “tidy” vs. “clean?” Common areas of tension are the stovetop and the fridge.
9. What Does Their Weekly Schedule Look Like?
For a typical week and weekend, consider their sleep schedule, work schedule, morning and nighttime routines — especially if sharing a bathroom — and cooking routines. Remember, that a busy roommate who’s always out of the house can be nice if you’re seeking solitude, but they also may not show up as much for chores or cleaning after themselves.
10. Where Do They Spend Most of Their Time?
Do they stay in their room, making it feel like you have the whole place to yourself? Do they put the “live” in “living room,” so you can never have time alone in the common spaces? You also might want to ask them how they want to handle apartment decorations with everyone living together.
Where To Find a Roommate
You know what you’re looking for in a roommate and what questions to ask your roommate to ensure they’re on the same page. All that’s left is to find a roommate who you can ask these questions.
Social Media
Social media can be a great resource to find a roommate. Many first-year college students post on designated Instagram accounts for their college and graduation year (for example, “ASU Class of 2029”).
More generally, many local Facebook groups exist for people to post in search of a roommate. Some groups may be grouped only by geography, whereas others may be specific to people’s interests or hobbies.
Apps and websites also exist specifically to find a roommate where you can filter by certain qualities or traits.
Friends and Family
Tell your friends and family that you’re on the lookout for a roommate. Because they know you best, they can recommend someone who may be a good fit for your personality and lifestyle preferences.
Making the Most of the Process
Although it can feel overwhelming, it’s possible to find a roommate whose goals and expectations align with yours. Throughout this process, take advantage of the opportunities to learn more about yourself, to practice starting conversations, and to put yourself out there.
Once your hard work has paid off and you’ve found a suitable roommate, capitalize on your momentum and establish a roommate agreement early on!
Part of living with a roommate is hoping for the best and planning for the worst. Using your answers to the 10 questions above as a foundation, you should set ground rules for quiet hours, guest policies, cleanliness, shared expenses, and more.
DOWNLOAD THE 10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POTENTIAL ROOMMATE INFOGRAPHIC
