Apartment Blog

I’ve only lived with family for a roommate, but I still have some interesting stories. There have been awkward situations, tense moments and belly aching times (from laughter). Me being such an organized person, I don’t even understand how someone can live without actually being able to see the floor (literally covered with clothes).  But that being said, there have been many fun nights coming back from girls’ nights; staying up snacking and watching movies.

However, not everyone’s roommate experience is pleasant. Here’s a story from a contributor.

My college experience was jam-packed with great memories.  Fun times.  And repulsive roommates.  Not everyone has had the “pleasure” of having that roommate from “you know where”.  But many need only to think back to the past to remember when you fought for shower time or when you came back to your dorm room after an evening workout only to be surprised by something you wouldn’t even want your worst enemy to see.

My freshman year of college was extremely exciting.  Like many kids entering their first year, going away to school was a huge jump from high school life - that experience of moving away from home, no parents, getting to experience life by setting your own schedule.

Move-in day was great.  One of my roommates happened to be a good friend from high school.  The other was a mild-mannered girl from instate.  Or so I thought.  Everything started out great.  The three of us shared a rather large dorm room, which was attached to a suite bathroom.  But living with someone in close quarters magnifies their imperfections.

I’m not even sure if “imperfections” accurately applies to this girl.  We took the bunk beds; I was on the bottom and she was on the top.  She would get up for an early morning class; climb down from her bunk to her desk, hop on IM for a few and roll out for class.  Mind you, there was no time taken to change clothes, brush hair, let alone brush teeth.  Disgustingly enough, this was her normal routine.

I remember a night when there was a group of us hanging out in our room and she was eating some popcorn and some fell on the floor.  I don’t care if a floor is freshly vacuumed…it’s still the floor.  Well this girl proceeds to pick the popcorn off the floor and eat it.  She puts the popcorn in her mouth and a huge piece of lint is hanging from the corner of her mouth.  Gross doesn’t even begin to describe that situation…

Staying on the topic of food, that girl loved Easy Mac.  She ate it pretty much every night.  The smell started to make me sick after awhile.  That’s probably the reason I’ve never tried it.  I even stopped eating Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  Too similar.

And she never cleaned.  Ever.  I don’t even think she knew how to work a vacuum.  We had come up with a schedule for cleaning the bathroom (which we shared with our suitemates, three other girls).  I’m not sure what her idea of cleaning was, but it was just that - an idea.  Someone else was always cleaning up behind her.  She was just filthy.

Unfortunately, my experience happens too often; I say often because once is too often.  But you live and you learn.  I wonder what she’s up to these days…well really I don’t.  Hopefully she’s somewhere taking a shower.

So I KNOW you guys have got some interesting roommate stories! So let’s hear them! Oh and they don’t even have to be funny just mildly entertaining because I am easily amused.  In fact, the contributor with the most unique story will get published on our blog! Happy writing.

According to USA Today, the number of renters are increasing. With the housing market and interest rates not the greatest, apartment rental prices are projected to rise about 4% this year and next!! Four percent! Don’t have an extra 4% in your budget……….get a roommate!

I fortunately have a permanent roommate….he’s called a boyfriend. But if you are apartment hunting and noticing the rental prices are higher than you’d like, find a roommate in your area. This person will benefit you in more ways than just sharing the financial responsibilities of an apartment. Not only will they help you with the rent, utilities and perhaps food costs, they will also give you companionship and an added sense of security. You may meet someone who will become a lifelong friend, plus you won’t have to dread being in an empty apartment. But the best part about living with a roommate is that you have the ability to save some extra money!!

So if you think this option is a practical solution for you, check out ForRent.com’s Find a Roommate section. You’ll be connected with potential roommates available in over a thousand cities nationwide!

Happy Apartment Hunting!

P.S. If you have any positive roommate stories to share, please do so!

When you live with another person, it’s never easy. Whether it’s a new roommate you met off ForRent.com or your significant other, there is always difficulty. But being prepared for some problems before they happen can help to eliminate any unnecessary arguments.

Some of the top problems roommates seem to argue the most about are rent, chores, and personal space (or property).

On time payment of the rent and any other bills associated with your apartment living (i.e., utilities, cable, etc.) is a MUST. Whether you know the person or not, talking about these situations is tough and may be tougher if you and your roommate have a relationship already established. Regardless, a proactive solution for this discussion is having a roommate agreement. This agreement could simply be a written document that you and your roommate sign and have a copy of for the future reference.* Regardless of whether you have an agreement or not, remember whomever’s name is on the lease is legally responsible (even if the other roommate(s) can’t or won’t pay)!

Another dispute between roommates, or in general all people living together-including families, is how to handle the chores. I myself do the dishes almost immediately after dinner. However, my boyfriend isn’t like that at all. He’d prefer to do them a couple hours later, if not the next morning! Whether you do your chores immediately, or prefer to wait awhile, having both combinations in one house is bound to create tension. Be sure to talk to your roommate if his/her constant dishes in the sink aggravates you. And remember you need to respect that he/she does things differently, just as long as it doesn’t interfere with how you are living.

Sharing your personal items can cause problems, whether it is your curling iron or your computer; nothing feels more uncomfortable than knowing that your roommate is using your things without permission. Establish boundaries early on as far as what items of yours can and can’t be used. It’s fair to assume that your roommate can use a utensil or appliance in the kitchen, as most roommates buy items when they move in together with the intention of sharing. But if you have a problem with other items, such as your computer or clothes, boundaries need to be specified.

In all of these instances the best way to avoid a problem is to talk to each other openly about it before it happens or before it festers up. If you are searching for a roommate, check out ForRent.com’s Find a Roommate section.

Do you have any good roommate stories to share?

* THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS BLOG IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE, AND THE AUTHOR AND FOR RENT MEDIA SOLUTIONS STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN COUNSEL AS TO ANY QUSTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REAGARDING ROOMATE AGREEMENTS.

ForRent.com has many resources to help apartment seekers search for apartments for rent in their area, such as locating movers, truck rentals, etc. But another tool ForRent.com offers on it’s website is how to find a roommate! Powered with Roommates.com, we allow the apartment seekers on ForRent.com to view hundreds of possible roommates nationwide.

Just click on Find a Roommate under the ‘Getting Settled‘ tab on our homepage. The next page will prompt you to fill out criteria for your search. Whether you would like your roommate to be male, female, a certain age, and of course location. After you submit, you’ll receive results based off the criteria you entered in. Search the huge selection of possible roommates and view more information about them. To be able to view more information about a certain individual, or many, visit ForRent.com today and create an account with Roommates.com, it’s fast and easy!!