The best way to avoid arguing with a roommate is to find someone to get along with. Choosing a roommate based on how sociable they seem is tempting, but it's best to judge the person based on their daily coexistence.
Steps
Step 1. Decide if you want to share the bedroom and bathroom
- Do not share it if it is not necessary; potential conflicts double when sharing a room, due to the loss of privacy.
- Sharing a bathroom is easier between same-sex tenants.
Step 2. Decide if you want to live with one roommate or more
Multiple roommates may bring in friends you may not like.
- The more people live in the house, the greater the noise and clutter.
- With only one roommate, it is much easier for you to bother each other.
Step 3. Find a potential roommate (check the local paper, ask a friend for references, etc.)
).
Step 4. Once you have found a potential roommate, meet up, preferably in a bar or other public place, and compare their preferences and habits with yours
Recommended questions:
- Do you wake up early or late in the morning? Are you a light or heavy sleeper?
- How is your typical day? Does it interfere with your habits?
- What do they need to feel safe (closed windows, etc.)?
- What is its ideal temperature?
- Is it neat or "relaxed" ?? Make this point clear, because each person has a different interpretation (and no one admits that they are lazy).
- What are his favorite chores and which ones he doesn't like to do? How he would like to divide up the housework (he follows a to-do list, or works around the house when he feels like it, etc.).
- If he doesn't come home after a certain time, should you worry or not? Do you wait until the next morning to call, or do you send a search team if you are 15 minutes late after work / school?
- Is it sensitive to perfumes and / or smells? This could affect your choice of cleaning products, and beware of bad smells.
- Do you have any allergies? For example: peanuts, perfume, milk, flowers, mold, smoke.
- Do you drink, smoke, or use other recreational drugs?
- Does he like to talk, or does he prefer silence? Does he talk about his feelings, or is he a reserved type?
- Does he like to decorate the house, or does he not care? What kind of furniture does he like?
- What kind of music does he like, and above all, does he like to listen to it at high volume?
- How much television do you watch? What programs do you watch? Do you support a different football team than yours, or do you follow a sport you don't like?
- Does he like to share some items, such as pots and plates, or does he prefer to separate everything?
- How often do you invite friends or organize romantic dates? (Do you feel comfortable with the company you hang out with?)
Step 5. Find out your potential roommate's expectations of a roommate (you
) and comparative. Some people want a roommate just to split the rent, with minimal interaction; others also want to spend time together. Make sure your expectations are the same. Be honest about your personality when answering their questions.
Step 6. Pay attention to the signs to tell if the person is honest and confident
If you have a bad feeling, just tell him that you think your personalities are not compatible.
Step 7. Find out if he plays any musical instruments, and find out about his hobbies
You may not be a fan of bagpipes!
