Should I get a roommate, and is having a roommate worth it? Or is it better to live alone? Many renters struggle with those questions while searching for an apartment. Living alone has its perks, but so does living with roommates. Living alone has its perks, but so does living with roommates.
If you’re one of the many renters searching for an apartment and trying to determine whether you should house share or live alone, this is what you need to know.
Living alone vs. with roommates
Living with friends or acquaintances can be a wonderful experience, but so is the privacy that comes with living alone. The decision ultimately depends on what matters most to you when looking for a new apartment. Understanding some of the pros of each situation can help you determine what works best for your lifestyle.
The perks of living alone
The advantages of living without roommates include:
- Privacy
Living alone, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want to do it, and there won’t be anyone watching. Guests can come over without your needing to ask. You can leave early in the morning or get home late at night without worrying about disturbing someone. - Lifestyle freedom
If you have opposing views of what life at home should look like (say, your roommate likes to blast music while you need to study or get work done), you might find conflict at every turn. When living alone, you can set up your home as you see fit without compromise or conflict. - Avoiding financial issues
Splitting bills with roommates offers one of the biggest advantages of having roommates — as long as everyone does their part. Unfortunately, there’s always a chance your roommate will have trouble paying their portion of the rent and other expenses. If you don’t have roommates, your financials are entirely your own.
The benefits to having roommates
Here are a few perks of having roommates:
- Added convenience
Roommates can bring added convenience to your living situation. For example, while you’re away on vacation, your roommate can inform you if you get vitally important mail or water your plants. - Help with chores
You can split up the chores with your roommates to keep your home in tip-top shape with less individual work or time spent. For instance, you can share grocery shopping duties, and rotate or split cleaning responsibilities. Having roommates can lighten the load for everyone. - Companionship
If you enjoy having someone else around, one or more roommates means you’ll always have someone to turn to or spend time with. Even if you’re not super close, the presence of others in your home can make you feel less lonely. - Saving money
Saving money is one of the biggest reasons renters choose to move in with roommates. Having roommates means you split the total cost of rent, and you can live in a house or apartment, or in an area, you might not have the means to pay for on your own. You can also split bills with roommates like utilities and other essential apartment expenses.
Of course, roommates can come with drawbacks, too. You have less privacy, and if you don’t get along or your lifestyles are drastically different (e.g. one of you is super neat and the other is very messy), the potential for conflict can far outweigh the potential benefits.
Should you live alone or with a roommate: Take the quiz
When trying to answer the question, “should I live alone or with a roommate?” a short quiz can help you decide which option is best. In other words, your responses to the following questions can help you answer the ultimate question: Is it better to live alone or with someone else right now?
How are my finances?
Again, finances often top the list of reasons why people opt for roommates. A roommate can help you save on just about all of your living expenses, and liviAgain, finances often top the list of reasons people opt for roommates. A roommate can help you save on your living expenses, and living with a roommate (or two or three roommates) can help you afford a home with more space. Just exercise caution when choosing roommates, as your landlord can hold you responsible if your roommates stop paying rent.
Do I mind sharing?
Sure, we all learned how to share back in kindergarten. But sharing with roommates means sharing your life, so you’ll need to feel okay with a higher level of sharing if you opt for roommates. Whether you’re best friends or exchange a friendly smile as you go about your days, you’ll need to at least exchange financial details to deal with rent.
You can also think about this question in terms of privacy and cooperation. Sometimes, you might need to coordinate when your roommate’s friends and family come over so that everyone is comfortable. If you live alone, you can have people over whenever you want without worrying about disturbing anyone. Living alone might offer a better arrangement if you value independence and privacy.
Do I like having my own space?
Having roommates can help you feel less lonely, but some people really crave that solo time. Even if you don’t have any particular issues with your roommate and you all perfectly follow the roommate agreement you make together, having someone in your space can feel stressful if you need your time to relax and recharge alone.
Do I want help?
Roommates can pitch in and split up chores, so no one person gets stuck doing the not-so-fun tasks that come with living in a house or apartment. You can create a schedule for doing dishes, cooking, cleaning, and more.
Do I want to live with people I know, or will I need to find a roommate?
Living with strangers can be a rewarding or trying experience. If you feel more comfortable living with someone you already know, first ask your friends or relatives to live with you in your new place. If you like meeting new people and socializing, finding a roommate can provide you with much-needed company.
If you decide to live with a roommate, you should vet your potential roomies. Make sure you ask the tough questions before signing your names on the lease. Ask about your roommate candidate’s daily routine, overall lifestyle, and ideas about splitting chores and bills before diving in because that can save you from conflict in the long run.
Can I deal with conflict?
Speaking of conflict, you’ll want to assess your comfort level with it to decide: Are roommates a good idea for me? You’re bound to have disagreements with someone you live with at some point. If the thought of a little conflict at your home base makes you queasy, having roommates may not translate to the best choice. If you decide to live with roommates, creating roommate rules at the start of your time together can go a long way.
Do I want to live in a specific location?
If you have your heart set on living in a specific city or neighborhood, you may not have much choice but to roommate with someone to afford it. If you’re open to living in different areas, you may have more flexibility when it comes to finding an apartment or house that you can afford.
Am I tidy or messy?
If you like to keep your living space tidy, living with a roommate may not be ideal. Even if your roommate also loves a clean house, there’s always the potential for conflict if one person feels like the other isn’t keeping up their end of the bargain when it comes to cleaning.
What about noise levels?
Do you like having more control over the noise level in your home or are you okay with some background noise? If you prefer more silence or dislike having people make noise around living with a roommate may not be ideal. If you don’t mind some background noise or think it might be nice to have someone around, living with a roommate could be a good option.
Is it better to live alone or with someone else? The answer depends on what you value from your living space. By weighing your needs for privacy, finances, and more, you can decide if having roommates will work well for you.
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