<p><a href="https://www.collegecareerlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/for-rent.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4899" src="https://www.collegecareerlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/for-rent.jpg" alt="for rent" width="257" height="196" /></a></p>
<p>Whether you&#8217;re a college student or young professional, living with a roommate is a smart way to <a title="Managing Expenses After College" href="https://www.collegecareerlife.net/managing-expenses-after-college/">manage expenses</a>. However, it can also be a risky move because roommates can cause a variety of problems. How do you find a reliable roommate whose personality meshes well with your own? Read the following tips to help you find a roommate that will not only save you money but also make your life easier.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Your Roommate</strong></p>
<p>Searching for a roommate is a lot like looking for the perfect employee, except it&#8217;s probably even more important because you&#8217;ll have to live with the person you choose. When you meet with potential roommates, see it as searching for the perfect candidate for a job. Ask specific questions so that you don&#8217;t encounter any surprises. Be clear about your habits and lifestyle so that they also know what to expect. Some questions to ask:</p>
<ul>
<li>How to they plan on paying rent?</li>
<li>Why are they in the area (school, work, etc.)?</li>
<li>How committed are they to staying in the area?</li>
<li>What are their working and sleeping schedules?</li>
<li>Do they plan on bringing over friends? If so, how often?</li>
<li>Are they willing to share cleaning responsibilities?</li>
</ul>
<p> ;</p>
<p>Discuss how all expenses (including household supplies) will be shared, how chores will be divided, what noise levels are acceptable and if/when others are allowed to visit.</p>
<p><strong>References</strong></p>
<p>It may seem crazy to ask for references from a potential roommate, but it&#8217;s the best way to assess his or her character and reliability. Preferably, the references will be from former roommates, but if they haven&#8217;t had roommates you may ask for character references from employers or long-time friends. You should aim to get at least three non-family references.</p>
<p><strong>Background Check</strong></p>
<p>It&#8217;s better to be safe than sorry, and a background check is important because you never know what&#8217;s lurking in someone&#8217;s past. A criminal can put on a good act in order to gain access to your valuables. A clean background check doesn&#8217;t guarantee that your roommate won&#8217;t steal your laptop or rent money, but it does offer some peace of mind.</p>
<p><strong>Living with Friends</strong></p>
<p>There are positives and negatives to rooming with friends. One huge positive is that you know the person and don&#8217;t have to be as concerned about theft or being in a dangerous situation. A big downside is that a friendship may be ruined if you don&#8217;t share similar ideas about cleanliness. finances and noise levels. If you&#8217;re considering rooming with a friend, have an honest discussion about what&#8217;s important (noise levels, shared cleaning duties, visitors, etc.). Just because someone is a good friend doesn&#8217;t mean they&#8217;ll make a good roommate.</p>
<p><a title="A Guide to Finding the Right Apartment" href="https://www.collegecareerlife.net/guide-finding-right-apartment/">Finding the right apartment</a> is only half the battle. Choosing a roommate requires just as much work as looking for a place to live. A roommate can make either your life miserable or more enjoyable, so the decision to share your living space should not be made lightly.</p>