Blog Post

The Pros and Cons of Living With Roommates

Kristina Brewer • Mar 10, 2020

NEARLY ONE IN THREE U.S. ADULTS ARE DOUBLING UP IN HOUSING

American adults are increasingly sharing a home with other adults with whom they are not romantically involved. What began in the wake of the Great Recession is even more prevalent nearly a decade later.

This arrangement, known as “doubling up” or shared living, is comprised of nearly 79 million adults living in a shared household which includes about 25 million adults who own or rent the household. An additional 10 million adults are the spouse or unmarried partner of the head of the household. Another 40 million, or 16% of all adults, are the “extra adult” in the shared household. This share living in someone else’s household is up from 14% in 1995.

Admittedly, there are pros and cons of having a roommate, which is why we’ve made a list of them for you to help in this all-important life decision.

PRO: Save Money on Rent and Utilities
A big advantage of having a roommate is the ability to split the cost of rent and utilities. This means that you’ll be able to afford a nicer, larger apartment than you could if you were living by yourself. You can also split the cost of other shared items, like groceries. Make sure that you come to an agreement with your roommate about these shared costs before embarking on a journey together.

CON: They May Miss Payments
The problem with splitting the cost of rent and utilities is that they have to be paid whether or not your roommate can afford it that month. If your roommate is not reliable when it comes to making payments, it could end up costing you. When deciding on a roommate, consider their work history. Do they frequently quit, or get fired, from their job? Do they have a history of debt or making late payments? These factors might not just leave you with a larger bill than you expected but could dramatically impact your credit history.

PRO: They Help You Clean
It’s a lot easier to clean your apartment when you can split the chores with another person. If you’re really lucky, you’ll be able to avoid doing the chores you like the least. It’s a good idea to make some sort of a chore chart to keep both you and your roommate accountable.

CON: They Help Make a Mess
Two people living in one apartment also means it’s twice as likely to get messy. Dishes can pile up and trash bins may overflow, and it can be easy for roommates to pass the blame and responsibility off on to each other. If you know your roommate before you move in, and they are a generally messy person, it is likely they will continue to be messy, regardless of moving into a new place.

PRO: Built-in Friends
Having a roommate means there’s always someone there to hang out with or talk to when you come home from a long day at work. Nothings says “home” quite like watching movie marathons together in your pajamas.

CON: Built-in Enemies
On the other hand, if you and your roommate don’t get along, it can make for a very uncomfortable living situation. Be careful about who you choose as a roommate to avoid this issue altogether. Note: If you are attracted to your potential roommate, you should strongly consider choosing someone else to live with. Hooking up with a roommate could be a potential recipe for disaster.

PRO: Shared Furnishings
If you’re renting your first apartment, purchasing all the necessary furniture and kitchen supplies can be expensive. Pooling your resources with a roommate will make the process of furnishing your apartment much easier. However, when it comes time to go your separate ways, you might run into some problems regarding possession of the belongings you initially split. It’s a good idea to agree upon ownership and a possible buyout agreement before splitting high-ticket items.

CON: Less Privacy
When you have a roommate, you have very little privacy. Your bedroom may be the only place you can go to be alone, and if your roommate has boundary issues, that may not even be true. If you prefer solitude, living with a roommate is not for you.

RE/MAX Gold Coast represents home rentals in prime areas of Ventura County. Our portfolio includes the rental pictured at the top of this blog located in Mandalay Shores. With 1510 square feet, and three bedrooms, three baths, there’s plenty of room in this fully furnished rental.  

We have other homes in prime spots from Hollywood Beach, Silverstrand, Port Hueneme, Oxnard Shores, Seabridge and Westport, to Mandalay Bay, Oxnard homes and condos, Ventura Keys, Pier Pont, Faria, Solimar & Rincon BeachPark beaches and Ventura and Camarillo. Just call us at +1 (805) 832-4075 and we’ll help you find the perfect home for you and your roomies!

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By Kristina Brewer 25 Mar, 2020
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