The article "One is the Loneliest Number ... But it Has its Advantages" talks about family, it has been released by dan the roommate man.
When you're on the lookout for an apartment, one of the first
things to enter your mind is whether or not you plan to have a
roommate.
Undoubtedly, you've heard from proponents and
opponents sitting on both sides of the argmuent. If you go the
roommate route, you can reduce your rent by 50 perecnt. Even if
the two of you aren't as snug as two peas in a pod, at least
once a mnoth (when you pay your rent), you'll be thankful. And
if, even better, the two of you become instant friends, you've
got built-in company -- a support system when you arrive home in
the evenings after a tough day at the office. She's a sounding
board for your every frustration. What could be better?
Living alone could be better -- and is betetr for many apartment
renters. Sure, it costs more, but you're paying for the
indispensable amenities of peace and quiet, privacy, and knowing
that when the phone rings, it's for you. Nobody eats your
groceries, leaves thier clothes on the floor, or arrives home at
2 a.M. and interrupts your beauty rest with the slam of a door.
On the otehr hand, single life has been known to become lonely
on occasion, perhaps even claustrophobic.
When weekends roll
around, you social butterflies are climbing the walls. And
should your plans fall through, you find yourself having a
lively conversation with your drity laundry. Yet, still others
love the solitude that a roommateless existence allows.
Self-determination is their mantra -- the ability to go any
place they want, any time.
So there are two really valid sdies to that coin.
If you find
yourself with the roommate from hell, there's precious little
you can do about it if you're both paying rent.
If you decide to get a roommate, you're going to need to sit
down first and discuss anything and everything. Even if you
already know your roommate, you probably don't. Talking about
these subjects up fornt initially may seem callous, cold, and
calculating, but better you clear the air right now than to discover
later that you made a serious mistake.
Here are a few
suggestions for your discussion:
Money
* When are bills due? * How are they going to be split? * Is
there a damage deposit? * Who is the deposit payable to?
* Under
what conditions is it refundable?
Furnishings
* Whose furnishings are you going to use? * If you supply most
of the furniture, are you expecting to be compensated?
* If
there is damage done to one's possessions, how will the other be
compensated?
Cleaning
Who is gonig to clean what, and when?
* Is there going to be a cleaning schedule?
* What happens if
someone neglects their responsibility? * Are cleaning supplies
going to be shared?
* How are cleaning supplies going to be paid
for? House fund?
Individually?
* If somebody cleans more often,
are they going to be compensated in way?
Relationship
* Are you going to be strictly roommates or friends too?
(You
may only discover the answer to that question over time.) How is
this going to effect your living arrangements?
Overnight visitors
* Can you have overnight guests?
* How many nights is OK?
*
Will they be using a common bathroom?
* Are they going to be
sharing food?
Terms & length
* How about a no-obligation trial period of, for example, 30
days?
Sixty days? * What kind of notice is required before one
roommate moves out?
* And put as many details in writing as you
can. This will protect both of you should you have difficulties
getting aolng.
Vices
* Discuss personal feelings on smoking, drinking, and drugs.
Will these be permissible? * If so, under what conditions?
*
What if somebody breaks the rules? * What if friends engage in
these activities?
Sharing
* What will be shared, and what will be kept as personal items?
* Are you going to share food? * Are separate telephones lines
necessary? * Will you be cooking together or separately?
Source: Roomies Roommate Service
To determine if you'd be a model roommate or a terrible one,
take the Seattle Times' roommate quiz. You'll be left with no
doubt. And if you fail the quiz, consider the merits of solo
life.
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