Pros and Cons of Having a Roommate

Whether your living space is too big for one person or you’re looking to share expenses, getting a roommate is sometimes a good idea.  Ideally it would be best to live with someone you already know (or someone with whom you have a mutual acquaintance), but if you’re moving to a new city, you may not have that option. Below are a few pros and cons of having a roommate and tips for finding one.

Pros

Sharing expenses. One of the biggest reasons a person finds a roommate is to share expenses—rent, utilities, and even food. Most of us think it’s just city dwellers who find roommates, but even those who live in more rural areas must share space sometimes to save money.

Shared living space. People who live alone often do so by choice, but if you’re naturally a people person, living alone might not be for you. You may not become the best of friends with your roomie, but you want to share your home with someone who has tolerable personal habits, respects your space and personal property, and is generally pleasant to live with.

Equal distribution of labor! Keeping a house is no small task, and every person in the house (or apartment) should be responsible for certain chores. If you live with only one other person, sit down and talk about the household chores and who wants to do what. If you have more than one roommate, hold a meeting and draw up a list of chores.

Cons

Unless you do a careful screening process (or have some solid referrals from friends or family), one of the biggest drawbacks to having a roommate is you could find yourself with someone you just can’t live with. From nasty personal habits to annoying friends (because their friends and family will show up at your place sooner or later) to a radical difference in work and sleep schedules, sometimes co-habitation isn’t for everyone.

Where to find a roommate.

First, ask your friends or family if they are personally looking for a roommate to save some money. If not, ask them if they know anyone who is. You’ll probably feel more comfortable living with someone who has a mutual friend or other connection in common (you can ask your acquaintance some straightforward questions about the person so you know about their personality, habits, and background right up front).  Taking on a roommate can be a big risk, so you should get all your due diligence out of the way before you decide. Interview the person, just as you would for a job opening. Remember—you’re looking for someone to share your personal living space, so you want to make sure you’re comfortable with the person and the living arrangement.

You can also broaden your search for a roommate by posting information on social media or looking on sites like Roommates.com, Craigslist, or Roomie Match. Depending on the site, some of them do compatibility tests, personality assessments, and other data-gathering to determine the best fit for you.

With luck and the right screening process (your gut instinct counts—if you have an uneasy feeling about anyone you speak with, cross them off your list), you’ll find a compatible roommate and your living arrangement will work out just fine.  

Renters’ insurance is always a smart purchase regardless of how many roommates you live with. This coverage will reimburse you for lost or damaged personal property. If you live with someone, you should all have your own renters’ policies to ensure you each have the coverage you need.

Do you, or have you ever, lived with a roommate? How did you find them? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!