Having a roommate can make living in an apartment a fun and exciting experience. It can also mean shared rent and other utility bills. However, having a roommate can also be difficult at times. It means learning how to live codependently with another person and share space and resources with them. It’s important to make the best of the situation and have a good relationship with them. Here are some helpful tips for living in an apartment with roommates.
Get to Know Them
Before choosing to live with someone, you need to really get to know the person. Finding out if you have similar values, interests, and habits can really help make the choice of living together easier. The last thing you want is to move in with someone you barely know and realize once you have already signed a lease that you can’t get along or live together.
Set Boundaries
It’s important to set boundaries right away when living in an apartment with roommates. Boundaries are rules or expectations that you both agree on to avoid conflict. Here are some common topics to discuss and establish clear boundaries around.
- Guests
- Chores and cleaning duties
- Sharing food or supplies
- Purchasing food or supplies
- Pets
- Quiet hours or noise limits
- Off-limit personal items
- Shared common areas
- Rent and utility bills
Communicate
Establishing boundaries is not the only time you need to have clear communication with your roommates. Ongoing communication is crucial when living with someone new. If a conflict arises, or if something changes with boundaries or schedules, it’s important to let the other person know so you can work it out right away. This way you can continue living together peacefully.
You Don’t Have to Be Friends
If you decide to move in with your best friend, and you both stay friends, that’s wonderful. However, living in an apartment with roommates can be difficult. If you don’t want to, you don’t need to be best friends with your roommate. However, even if you aren’t super close, it’s still important to be courteous and get along to make living together more peaceful.
You Don’t Have to Be Friends
Whether you are best friends or simply roommates, it’s important to exchange schedules and contact information when you move in. Going over your schedules allows you to decide on when each of you will be home, showering, parking, etc. Having each other’s contact info is also important in case of an emergency.
Use a Personal Safe
If there are items in your apartment that you want to make sure your roommate or other guests in your space cannot access, you may want to buy a personal safe. Safes are great ways to lock away valuable items such as jewelry, money, or important documents. Even if you trust your roommate, it is always a good idea to have a safe. This way your valuable items are locked away in case of a burglary as well.
