- Before you move in with a new roommate, it is important to be clear about any expectations you may have. Discuss personal habits, routines, visitors and other issues that will affect both of you. Being clear about house rules ahead of time eliminates potentially uncomfortable situations. Other important things to cover include daily chores, pets, choice of Internet, phone, and cable television providers.
- Finances are another important area to discuss prior to actually moving in. You will need to decide on a place that you can both afford and try to split the financial commitments as equally as possible. It is acceptable to have one roommate pay a greater portion of the rent if one of you has a larger room, a better parking spot, or a private bathroom. These decisions, though, must be made together rather than one roommate deciding for everyone.
- Even if you have different schedules, different interests, and different friends, you can still get along just fine with your roommate. You don't even have to be friends with someone as long as they are respectful of your life and you are respectful of theirs. Be considerate of each other's personal space by respecting their living habits such as when they go to bed and if they like to never have dishes in the sink. You will both likely need to make small sacrifices in order to make each other comfortable, but it is important to remember that living with another personal is a type of partnership that needs to be cultivated in order to make your living situation the most comfortable.