There are positives and negatives to having a roommate. And, regardless of who you’re planning to live with — whether it’s a close friend, significant other, or random match — you will inevitably run into some roommate issues. Still, for some people, the risk might be worth the reward. If you’re struggling to decide whether or not you should live with someone else, try making a pro-con list. To help you get started, here are three pros and three cons for you to consider.
The Pros
- You’ll get a larger space — and save money: Instead of living alone in a studio apartment, you can get a two-bedroom that has a nice living area for the same price — or maybe even less. Plus, you’ll be splitting the cost of utilities and shared items, like WiFi, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies, with your roommate.
- There’s always someone to hangout with: You’ll never feel lonely when you have a roommate because there will always be someone around. You can hangout with your roommate instead of making plans with a friend, whether you want to bake a batch of homemade cookies together or stay up late binge-watching a new TV show.
- You can split up chores: You won’t have to handle all of the heavy lifting yourself if you live with a roommate. The two of you can either divide up the various tasks — like cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming the shared living space, and taking out the trash — or take turns doing them.
The Cons
- You’ll probably have less privacy: There probably won’t be a lot of alone time if you’re living with someone else. It might be fine when it’s just the two of you at home, but keep in mind that they might have their own guests over. This is why it’s a good idea to set some ground rules for visitors.
- You might have different habits: Living with someone who is significantly different than you may be a challenge. You might run into problems if your roommate is a clean freak and you’re messy, or you’re a morning person and they’re a night owl. Before moving in with someone, try to get a feel for their habits and daily routine.
- Everything will be shared: It’s nice to share the cost of utilities, but there might be things you’re less interested in sharing. Plus, you might be risking damage to your personal property, since you will likely share furniture, kitchen essentials, and more. Be sure to have a conversation about what you are and aren’t willing to share.
