Living with a roommate could be a great way to cut costs or transition from living with your parents to living alone. Some people may have no choice but to go with a roommate, but if you can live alone, you must weigh up the pros and cons of both options. Some people will simply not be able to live with someone they don’t know, while others might actually enjoy it. It’s all about the type of person you are and what you’re looking for from your experience. So, is living with a roommate a good idea?
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You Could Live in a Prime Area on the Cheap
One of the underrated benefits of going with a roommate is that you could get an apartment in an area you would never be able to afford to live in otherwise. People often get roommates because they’re strapped for cash, but if you’re comfortable, you could choose between having a full flat for yourself in a sub-par area or living in a posh area with a roommate who’s in the same situation as you.
Don’t assume that you won’t be able to get along or won’t feel like this is your home. It could make for a very pleasant living arrangement if you and your roommate are on the same page. And there’s a good chance that you’ll forget all of that once you realize how lucky you are to live in such a great area.
If you want to find a room for rent in the area of your choice, your best bet is to use a room rental site. They will allow you to find rooms exactly where you want and help you filter your options based on different criteria.
You Never Truly Know Who You’re Living With
This is probably the part that concerns people the most about living with a roommate and it is perfectly normal. Unless you’re moving in with a lifelong friend or family member, you will never be able to tell who the person you’re living with truly is.
This is why you need to take your time to vet and interview a potential roommate thoroughly before you move. You must speak to them more than once to make sure that they are the right person for you to live with and conduct a background check on them. And try to be in a neutral area like a coffee shop when first meeting roommates as you never know what might happen.
Living with Roommates Could Significantly Improve Your Social Life
Living with a roommate could be the best thing ever for you if you’re an introvert. If you have trouble opening up to people, it may be simply because you aren’t around enough of them. If you live with a roommate with whom you feel comfortable, you may develop a friendship. And, if they have lots of friends, then they may introduce you to their social circle. You could end up making more friends than ever before and realise that you were not that introverted after all.
Living with a roommate will work for some people and it won’t for others. So, make sure that you know exactly what roommate life is like before you make the jump.
Alex is fascinated with “understanding” people. It’s actually what drives everything he does. He believes in a thoughtful exploration of how you shape your thoughts, experience of the world.