Tweet

Living on your own can feel like a challenge, especially if it's your first time renting an apartment. Some people love to live alone and thrive on the solitude. For others, having a roommate is a better option.
You may wish to consider a roommate if any of the following apply to you:

• Your apartment is too expensive for you alone. If you've found a great place with a high price tag, a roommate can help you manage the cost. You can split the rent and utilities to make the apartment affordable.
• You prefer the company rather than living alone. Not everyone is cut out for solitude. If you value the social benefits of living with others, a roommate may be the right choice.
• You have a proven track record with someone. Having a stranger for a roommate involves a lot of uncertainty. If you can share an apartment with someone you know, you'll have a history to base your decision on. Friends who've spent time together often have a sense of whether they'd make good roommates.

Reaching an agreement

If you live with roommates, you will probably learn about living together as you go. It's a good idea, however, to agree on certain things up front. Discuss some basic ground rules, before issues arise with your roommates.