Currently though, I am taking a step into unchartered waters and living with my boyfriend (read previous post to learn where he comes from). This is by far the most interesting of experiences. For starters, we don't get sick of each other, the way we had imagined. It most definitely has become a "the best is yet to be" situation, rather than a "it will get better" (Tangent: to all my 20-something couples out there... if you are saying the latter of those two phrases, it is time to reevaluate)
But while I am in curling up in my new nest with my beau... I am starting to see what a few of my other friends are going through. I have three very close friends, each from very different parts of my life and all going through very different living situations. Some are living with friends that are quickly showing their Heathers side and making us all a little worried about their stability. Others are still away at school, "living" with friends they met during their second chance at student housing... but in reality are shacking up with the guy they are, well... shagging. A few are suffering the effects of the economy (and college loans) and choosing to keep it in the family and changing the name Mom to Roomie.
Now I have at one point or another, experienced all of these situations and have had very different outcomes in each. The crazy roommate one lead to the shacking up with Shaggy for a semester, and when Mom said "pay rent or move" I opted out of having my parents be roommates, landlords and RAs all at the same time and packed my bags.
What I can tell you is that choosing your roommates is a very, VERY tricky thing. So here is some advice to all of those out there who are looking to find a new nest in the near future.
Find roommates who like the same type of social situations you do
I must admit, I am a bit of a hermit. I come home from work and I throw myself onto the couch and love to pull out a good book or start a movie.... alone. The worst living situation I could find myself in would be a person that needs to constantly be surrounded by people. The trick to finding a great roommate match is finding someone that you either want to be around all the time, or that has no problem Skyping you from down the hall.
Choose a roommate who lives like you do
My favorite roommate situation was when I lived in the dorms in college was between two girls whom I would have never paired as "buddies" outside of this living situation. But the moment I saw their room, I understood why it was meant to be. It literally looked like what I am sure the fish in the Gulf Coast are experiencing right now. Trash, food and clothes everywhere. Let's just say they lived together for a long time after freshman year.
Make sure you understand the house rules
Nothing is worse than not communicating what each of you expects out of a living situation. If you want to buy groceries together and split them down the middle... make sure you are at least cooking together or know how much that person is going to eat on a daily basis. If you are going to share basic things like milk, bread and laundry detergent, it is always best to make a chart or a running list of who has paid for what when.
Make sure you understand the house rules (so important it gets to be two headlines)
Split the chores... evenly. If someone HATES taking out the trash, put them on dish duty. When I lived with boys I absolutely would not mow a lawn (I am a bit of a princess and never learned how)... so instead I made sure the kitchen was cleaned from the ground up on a regular basis.
Have a place to escape to
No living situation stays perfect forever. Always have a friend, activity, oasis where you can go just to chill away from home for a bit.
So no matter how you find them. Albeit school, work, family or Craigslist, know what you are getting into. Do your homework and know those roommates!
