So here’s the deal: you are never going to truly know what it is like to live with someone before you live with them. You may be best friends, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be best roommates. Sure, actually liking the other person is always a plus, but there are some things you should consider before signing on the dotted line.
1. Living Habits: Your roommate’s living habits and cleanliness are going to have the biggest impact on your life, not the fact that they’re an Arts kid and you’re in Science. Mutual interests? You can find those with time, but you should probably know if your potential roomie smokes indoors.
2. Communication: Will you be able to tell them to clean the dishes they left in the sink? Will they be straight up when you have your music too loud, or will they leave passive aggressive post-its on the kitchen cupboards? Try to pick a roomie you feel comfortable talking to.
3. Ability to Give Space: Room with someone who you get along with, but keep in mind that living with friends can be risky – it doesn’t work for everyone. The ability to give each other space is key! It can be nice to have similar interests as your roommate, but you can also bond with someone by sharing new experiences.
4. Fun Extras: We’re not talking about their blender, unfortunately. Make sure you know in advance if there’s a dog or cat or significant other that might be moving in with your roommate. More is not always merrier.
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