If you have the choice to live alone or with a roommate, why wonder? Living alone comes with a great sense of peace of mind. You don’t have to worry about if your things are safe or if someone is going through your stuff. Living with someone comes with worrying about things like if they’re going to have people over and make noise if they’re going to be respectful of your space and keep the place clean, and so on.

While all these things can be sorted out with a good roommate agreement, it’s still less work and worries to live by yourself. So if you really do have the choice and are just wondering if getting a roommate will do you any good; then this article is for you, keep reading!

Why would anyone consider living with a roommate if they can afford to live alone?

While this question may seem absurd to people that have gone through nightmares and torture with a difficult or horrible roommate, it is not to others. In fact, there are actually still many people that consider sharing their living space with another person out of choice.

This could be a way to combat loneliness and have someone to keep them company during the cold nights of winter. Some students are inclined to think during their first year of college that it will be more convenient to get a roommate, even if it’s just for the sake of companionship or helping their social life.

Not to mention, if you live in a big city it can be quite expensive to live by yourself so living with a roommate can help save on costs. Even if you can afford to live alone, it may still look attractive to save and spend the money elsewhere as a student when you start to consider getting a roommate and splitting all costs with them.

But at the end of the day, it truly is up to what makes you feel most comfortable and at peace. If that’s living with roommates then do it, if that’s living alone then go for it! There’s no wrong answer here. However, we will help you decide by listing a few consequences you should consider before you go out of your way to invite someone to share your roof for the year with you, so read more.

Things to consider before choosing to live with a roommate:

1- You may not be able to tolerate them:

Before you move in with a roommate, there are some things you should take into consideration. One important question to ask yourself is how well you know this person. Even if you’ve been friends for years, living together is a whole different story.

So before you move in with someone, you should really think about whether or not you can tolerate them. Living with someone is a lot different than just being around them. You’ll have to deal with their habits, their beliefs, and everything else about them on a daily basis.

Also, if you’re a neat freak who can’t stand messes, you might not want to room with someone whose idea of cleaning is “when it starts to smell bad.”

So if there’s something about them that you can’t stand, it’s best to find out now rather than after you’ve already moved in together. Otherwise, you may be stuck living with someone who annoys you for the duration of your lease.

2- Your daily routines could clash:

Another thing to think about is your daily routine. If you’re a morning person and they party all night, that could be a problem. That’s especially true if you live with someone who has no consideration and will be making loud noises; while you’re asleep just because that’s their awake time.

You could find out that they’re messy, loud, and always have people over. But, one key thing that could be a dealbreaker is if you have very different sleeping schedules. Or, if you like to stay up late and party on weekends, you might not want to live with someone who’s a light sleeper and needs peace and quiet to function. It’s all about finding a balance that works for both of you.

If you’re a light sleeper and your roommate is a heavy snorer, then again, living together might not be the best option. This is why it’s so crucial to consider your habits and how they might conflict with your potential roommate’s habits.

3- Be very honest about your finances, before you take action:

You also need to be honest with yourself about your finances. Can you afford to live on your own or are you kidding yourself?

If you cannot afford it, then are you okay with splitting the bills? If you’re not careful, choosing a roommate could turn into a living nightmare. So be sure to weigh your options carefully before making a decision.

Also be honest about your job situation, your bills, and what you can afford to pay each month. It’s also important to be upfront about any financial problems you may have had in the past. Otherwise, you could end up putting your roommate in a tough spot if you can’t make rent for one month.

You should also ask your roommate to do the same and to be very transparent and honest with you about this sort of thing, in advance! Additionally, ask them questions like Who will be responsible for which bills? How will you split rent and other expenses?

Having a plan and being on the same page financially will help avoid conflict down the road. Choosing a roommate is a big decision, but if you take the time to consider all of your options, you’re sure to find someone who is the perfect fit for you.

4- Consider your roommate’s social circle:

Before you move in with a roommate, it’s important to think about their social circle. If they’re the sociable type with a big circle of friends, and you’re the opposite or an introvert, then you might want to reconsider living together.

Or, for example, if you’re the extrovert and they’re not, then that could cause some friction too. That’s because the extroverted one out of the two of you will be happy to have people around all the time, or may even want to throw parties. This will obviously cause the introverted roommate if any to feel out of place and uncomfortable.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to live with a roommate is a personal one, and only you can decide what’s best for you. But it’s important to weigh all of your options before making a decision.

5- Consider your roommate’s character:

In the end, one of the most important things to consider is your roommate’s character. Are they considerate and easygoing, or do they tend to be argumentative? It’s also important to think about your own personality and how it might mesh, or clash, with your potential roommate’s.

Do they have the same values as you? Are they clean and organized? Will they be respectful of your space and belongings? It’s important to choose someone who you can get along with and who will make your life easier, not harder. Do you like to party or do you prefer peaceful evenings at home?

Be honest with yourself about what you want and need from a roommate and make sure your potential roommate is on the same page. Make sure they care enough about you to want to reach compromises and meet you halfway, and that they’re not going to be inconsiderate of your needs.

Of course, you don’t have to be best friends or love birds with your roommate, but it’s important to choose someone with whom you can at least get along. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time together!