I grew up in a quaint little town in the middle of Missouri. Farmland and all. Now I'm 21 and I've been living in New York City for two years. When people from back home hear that, sometimes they envision a life of sight seeing, fun shopping, and incredible food. Which… isn’t entirely accurate. Don't get me wrong, I adore New York! But this place is expensive. The fact is, in order to stick around, I live in a 650 Sq. ft. apartment with four other people. I know- you just groaned internally. But learning to work with different personalities is an important skill. What better way to hone that skill than to live under the same roof with four very different people?
Roommates are a big deal. Even bigger than dollar pizza. If you don't get along with your roommates, you're going to have a hard time enjoying your home environment. We'll get more specific later, but here are some more general rules to get you warmed up...
1. Meet Before You Move
When you're looking for a new place and you're on a time crunch, it's tempting to just take the first offer that comes along. But its actually better to visit your future home, and if possible, meet the people you'll be living with before signing any deals. Going in blind can create misconceptions and expectations that may not be met. Ask yourself: Can I see myself sitting in this room? Does it feel comfortable? It is ok to vet the people you'll be living with. Interact with them and see what they're like. They'll appreciate it just as much as you later on.
2. Pet Peeves are Clues
Getting a new roommate is like starting a relationship- you gotta know what they love and what they hate. Ask your new roomie if they have any pet peeves early on. It's better to know that they hate it when people don't empty the dishwasher, then to come home from work and meet a ticked off roommate.
3. Not yours? Then don't touch.
I've had to apologize for this one. Just because you need to use something, and your roommate has it, doesn't mean its there for you to grab. Ladies, if you are just dying to use a red nail polish cause it matches your dress, ask first. Men, don't assume you can siphon toothpaste off the guys just cause you've been too busy watching House of Cards to hit up Duane Reade for a new tube.
4. Compromise + Consideration
Just accept the fact now that not everyone is like you. This is actually ok! You and the people you live with are gonna have different interests, concerns, routines, hobbies, etc. If your roommate is a late sleeper, and you like getting up early, just be considerate. Don't go around banging pots and pans, or throwing clothes around your room at 6am. And if you are the one who snoozes until noon, don't expect the apartment to be totally silent until you've had your beauty sleep. Express your needs, but don't always expect perfect accommodation.
5. Appreciate People
Odds are, you'll argue with your roommates at some point. But it is also likely that you'll find you like a lot of things about them. Nearly everyone has some pretty fantastic qualities, and if you choose to focus on those things, you'll find your attitude toward other people is positive and encouraging. That's the kind of space you want to create for all parties involved.
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