How To Pick The Perfect Roommate: A Guide To Harmonious Living
When we are a student in school or collage and if we have to live far from our hometown, then we need a roommate and it's not easy to share our room with a partner. We need to check out many things before we setup room with him. It is crucial to find the perfect match.
He should be peaceful and enjoyable. If our choice is wrong, our home can be converted into a stressful environment.
In this article we will discuss on “how to pick the perfect roommate”
Know yourself and your preferences
You need to know your own need and priorities before start looking for the roommate. Firstly ask some questions from yourself:
- Do you like peaceful environment?
- Do you enjoy having people ?
- Are you okay with a little mess here and there?
- Or do you really want a partner or you like to live alone …..
Its good to clear the picture of our own preferences because its easy to identify “what kind of person makes a good roommate”. The person should be compatible and have similar lifestyle. You both should match the vibes.
Set clear financial expectations
I personally experienced that sometimes finance becomes a tension between room partners. Managing the expenses depends on how do you choose your roommate? Its necessary to discuss all the things before you settle with him like rental cost, utilities, groceries and other expenses. You need to discuss how will you divide all the expenses between both of you.
It also important in your partnership that when anyone have need, then another should stand for helping…
Sometimes there are unnecessary expenses and you both have an understanding to handle it out.
Look for Lifestyle Capability
Just think about it, you will not like to be have loud and noisy parties and when you return at room after a heavy work, right?...
So, lifestyle compatibility is also a necessary factors of living together with roommate.
- Both you have to do cleaning time to time.
- You have to coperate each other.
- You have to handle guests if any.
You must have to discuss of inviting guests on your place. You both have your personal space and time in that four walled place. And if you are not compatible with another's guests, you have to discuss.
Many times, it's annoying and irritating to handle the guests of our partner. Yes, it's correct…..
Communicate Openly and Honestly
“What is the golden rule of roommate” its all about communication and honesty. Open and respectful communication can lead your partnership to a long period of time, but odd thought and arguments will be first factor to think about changing the room or even roommate.
Brotherhood should be in your partnership.
If you are thinking that you will never go through a conflict with your partner, you are wrong. Many times it will happen. You need to think that how will you handle it. If you can't, then you should live alone.
Open and respectful communication build trust and you are safe from misunderstandings.
Trust Your Instincts
Many of searches on google are about “how do you trust a roommate”. And it's a genuine question. You are going to live with a person whom you don't know very well and you are going to share your space, finances and compatibility with him.
If the roommate is trustworthy, if he respect your boundaries and talks, then you should go with him, otherwise not.
Also you have to do some wise research on him.
Test the Waters
Before going for a permanent settlement for a long period, it's a good idea to have a trial with him. It will help you to know your roommate’s hobbies, ideas, thoughts, talking sense, compatibility, lifestyle and expectations.
The trail period of 5 to 10 days will make you understand that he is able to be your roommate or not.
During the time, observe the person , how he handle the responsibilities of being a roommate or a good friend. He is respectful or not. He takes the situations smoothly or not. If he is not compatible you can find the other.
Safety is must
Safety should be your priority if you are far from home and sharing the living with another person who is not obviously well known person to you.
- Make sure you have roommate's identity.
- Meet with his parents as well.
- Check his previous history.
- Have the contact of his parents.
- Don't trust him if you met him online. Going with online roommate may be a bad idea.
My Personal Experience of having a Roommate
I have lived with 3 roommates till now and further I always prefer to live alone and in a personal space. Living alone is my priority now. Space may be less as I don't require much space, but peace of mind is important to me.
My first roomate was good enough but he was not honest and he always used his cleverness while giving rents, sharing expenses etc…
My second roommate was not compatible to me. There were a lot of guest issues of him. He also loved to cook non veg but I don't and that was one of the matter of conflict between us. He was not adjustable with many of things. He went through arguments on the subjects which were not too big issues I think.
My third roommate was compatible, had similar thought, very adjustable, less expensive as me, and good natured. He helped me a lot in difficulties and still now a true friend. I wish to thanks him (Mr Ankit).
"Your roommate is everything when you live far from home. He is your father, mother brother and sister. He is your family. He is your girlfriend, boyfriend. He is your best friend. He is who should care for you. So choose a good person for sharing your space, not a roommate."
_by Ashutosh Sahu
