For those moving to an apartment, there are many exciting things to anticipate. This may mark the first time out on your own, a transition to a new city [click to continue...]
From the category archives:
Roommate Tips
Those who are considering moving to an apartment have more than likely given thought to finding roommates who can share the financial obligations associated with their rental, along with the day-to-day camaraderie that comes with co-habitation.
If you have decided on a roommate – or several roommates – you may have come to a point where you are ready to discuss the terms of your living arrangement. How you handle these initial negotiations can mean the difference between a comfortable situation with open communication, and a difficult situation that can quickly spiral out of control. You want to tackle any potential roommate conflicts before they occur.
Have A Meeting
It’s a good idea to have such discussions prior to moving to an apartment. A meeting should be set up before signing any lease to give each person an opportunity to voice his or her expectations for the living arrangements. Some topics to discuss are:
- Noise policies
- Visitors to the apartment
- Payment schedule for rent and utilities
- Pet policy
- Division of household chores
- Food responsibilities
Cover All Bases
Leave no stone unturned when it comes to discussing all topics that could affect life in your new apartment. The more you discuss up front, the better your chances at long-term peaceful living.
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Even the best of friendships suffer under stressful situations; and moving and co-habitation are among the most stressful situations we can face. As many people go through the process of moving to an apartment, they find that having a roommate eases their financial burden and provides comfort.
Often, when apartment moving, people select their closest friends to be their roommates. Most people assume friends and roommates are interchangeable roles. But often, friendship actually burdens the living arrangement with unique challenges. Faced with the dynamics of an established relationship, many friends living as roommates find it difficult to break out of their comfort zone and confront situations that may be causing them stress.
Moving to an apartment with a close friend can be a great experience – a chance to share a special time in your life with someone with whom you already share a special relationship. But keep in mind that if you don’t draw specific boundaries and have the necessary – albeit uncomfortable – conversations from the start, you may be faced with far more awkward situations down the road.
It is important to have an honest, face-to-face conversation with your roommate before moving to an apartment. Each of you should discuss what your expectations are from each other in this new living arrangement; as well as how each of you envisions the division of finances and apartment upkeep responsibilities.
Just because you are close friends does not necessarily mean that you know each other’s style of living. Discuss those things that are important to each of you and what will make your living arrangement comfortable and enjoyable. The more detailed you are in this preliminary discussions, the better your chances of a successful – and memorable – living arrangement.
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So you’re apartment moving and you’re experiencing all of the emotions that come along with moving – excitement, anticipation and a serious case of nerves! Perhaps, in an effort to offset the financial burden of carrying a lease alone, you have decided to seek out a roommate, or several roommates. If you’re lucky, you have already found an eligible roommate in a close friend. But if you don’t know anyone who can move in with you, the prospect of finding a roommate is just as overwhelming as moving to an apartment.
Surf the Net
In this day and age of conducting day-to-day activities online, most of us are more comfortable on our computers than we are going about things traditionally. It’s not surprising that many people who are moving to an apartment also look online to find prospective roommates. Let’s face it; many of us find employment, the perfect outfit and even romantic interests online – why not a roommate?
Resources for Finding Roommates
There are many websites that offer city-by-city databases of people looking for roommates, and roommates looking for living situations. Here are a few:
If you do connect with someone online who has a similar living style and is open to the terms of your lease, take some time to chat online before setting up a preliminary meeting. If you do decide to meet in person, use common sense and caution. Meet during the day time in a public place that is safe and comfortable to you.
Approach your meeting like you would handle a job interview, ask questions and gather information. Later, talk to other people with whom your prospective roommate has lived, ask questions and consider doing a background check.
With the preliminaries behind you, you may find that the Internet has led you to a perfect roommate – someone who will make moving to an apartment even more fulfilling and fun.
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Moving to an apartment can be a wonderfully exciting time – a chance to live on your own and take responsibility for your own life; for many, it marks the true beginning of adulthood. Apartment living can be a great choice for those who have just graduated from school and are embarking on a new career; the ease of maintenance and affordability make apartments generally appealing. But regardless of their affordability in comparison to a large, single-family home, apartments can still be quite expensive for those with entry level salaries; and depending on where your apartment is located, even the most well-paid person has difficulty affording an apartment all on their own. In these cases, moving to an apartment with roommates can significantly offset expenses.
Choosing the right roommate
Some roommates are a product of friendship and planning; others, a product of chance. Whether you’ve known each other your whole lives or found each through the real estate section of your local newspaper, a roommate is a very specific relationship. While you no longer live with mom and dad, and may consider your new apartment to be your journey into independence, living with a roommate still requires you to be at least partially responsible to another person. In forming your union, you are promising to share the rental expenses of your apartment; but you are also implicitly pledging to be considerate of one another’s time, space, and money.
Be smart, Put It In Writing
For these reasons – friends or not – all details surrounding your living arrangement should be put in writing. Some things to consider include division of rent, fees, repairs, and utilities, as well as how you wish to handle the purchasing of food, paper goods, and other items for the apartment.
Day-to-day Routine
Beyond these more formal arrangements, however, there are more day-to-day topics that should be discussed prior to moving to an apartment. Such issues include your expectations of each other with regard to the division of cleaning, having guests, noise level, cooking, and the like. These may seem like unimportant details that you can work out as you go, but they are only small decisions when you make them ahead of time. If you don’t discuss something in particular, and it becomes a sticking point down the road, something very small can become larger than life. It’s better to tackle every scenario before making your move.
In Summary
Having a roommate can make moving to an apartment an even more enjoyable experience, as you can share the excitement of your having your own space…together! Work out your details early and keep the lines of communication open and you’ll be sure to have a great place to come home to for years to come.
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