So, you’ve gotten the best long-distance moving services, planned a perfect move with the help of cross-country movers, and finished your relocation with the utmost success. It can all go down the drain if you end up with a lousy and annoying roommate. Therefore, after going through different cross-country moving companies and choosing the best long-distance movers, you must approach the process of choosing a roomie carefully – and we can show you how.
5 Questions to Ask Potential Roommates
If you’re looking for a roommate after moving cross-country, it can be tempting to pick the first person you stumble upon. However, you must take some time to learn more about those you’ll be sharing your space with. Find out what important questions to ask potential roommates and make sure the process of choosing the right roommate ends up successfully.
#1 One of the First Questions to Ask Potential Roommates – How Will They Pay Rent?
After relocating to a new city alone, living with roommates can be a great way to save money on expenses like rent and utilities. It’s a good way to reduce costs and enable more room in your relocation budget for some other pre-move expenses, such as getting the best cross-country moving service near you. However, after you get a packing service and move from your old home, you can’t choose to share your space with just anyone. If you don’t plan to live on your own, it’s important to have a financial conversation with potential roommates to make sure they’re able to pay their share of the bills.
The first question you should ask is whether they have a job or plan to get a job after moving in. If they don’t have a regular income, it will be difficult for them to pay their share of the rent each month, which can become a significant problem for you. That is especially true if you’re relocating to a big city since living expenses in metropolises tend to be on the higher side.
At the same time, debt can make it hard for people to pay their bills on time, so if you plan to rent an apartment, it’s important to find out if your potential roommate has any outstanding debts. If they do, ask about the minimum monthly payments and when they’re due. You’ll also want to know if your roommate plans to apply for any new lines of credit, like a credit card or personal loan. Having a roommate with a lot of debt could put a strain on your finances if they’re constantly behind on their payments.
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Do They Work From Home?
If you’re thinking about sharing your space with someone who works from home, there are a few things you need to take into account before making your decision.
For one thing, roommates working from home are usually more mature and responsible than their non-working counterparts. After all, working from home requires a certain level of discipline and self-motivation. Secondly, it means that someone is always home to take in packages or keep an eye on things when you’re not around – it’s extremely valuable if you have pets.
Of course, there are also a few downsides to this situation. One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome is adjusting to their working schedule. More often than not, you will have to respect their working hours, which means you can’t just do anything you want. If you think you can handle this challenge, then go for it! But if you’re not sure, it might be best to look for someone who works outside the home after hiring a long-distance moving company and relocating to the new home.
Can They Put Down a Deposit?
A deposit shows that the person is serious about relocating to a new home with you and that they have the financial resources to do so. If a potential roommate can’t even put down a deposit, that’s a red flag. It could mean that they don’t have a steady job, that they’re not good with money, or that rent is too high for them. If they are not able to pay a deposit upfront, consider it a warning sign – ignoring it would be a severe relocation mistake.
#2 What Are Their Day-To-Day Routines?
If moving in with friends or organizing a move with a significant other is not possible, you’ll have to room up with a stranger. Knowing their daily routines can give you insight into how they will handle things like noise levels, cleanliness, and schedules. Keep in mind that discussing expectations and boundaries related to routines can prevent future conflicts and promote open communication in the household. Here are some things to consider before getting a roommate:
Ask about cleaning habits
Do they like to keep things neat and tidy, or are they more laid back? Knowing their cleaning habits (or lack thereof) can help you decide if they’re a good fit for you. Ask them if they have a set cleaning schedule. Do they like to do a little bit every day, or do they prefer to do a deep clean once a week? This will give you an idea of how often the common areas will need to be cleaned and how much work you’ll need to put in.
Do they smoke?
Smoking cigarettes can cause all sorts of problems, from damaged walls and carpets to an increased risk of fire. Not to mention, the smell of cigarettes can be difficult to get rid of. So, if you’re looking for a hassle-free living situation, it’s best to find a nonsmoker – that is, if you are one as well.
Even if you don’t mind living with a smoker, there’s no getting around the fact that secondhand smoke is hazardous to your health. In addition to the risks posed by secondhand smoke, there are also financial considerations to take into account. If your roommate smokes, chances are you’re going to see an increase in your utility bills. After all, smokers tend to open windows and doors more often than nonsmokers in an effort to air out their homes – and that wasted energy costs money.
How often do they invite friends over?
If your potential roommate says that they never have friends over, that may be a red flag. It could mean that they’re not very social and that they may not be the easiest person to live with. On the other hand, having their friends over all the time could also be an issue. You may end up feeling like you’re living in a fraternity house instead of an apartment. The best case scenario is finding someone who has a healthy balance – someone who occasionally has friends over but isn’t constantly throwing parties.
Do they have any pets?
If you’re allergic to cats or dogs (or even reptiles or rodents), it’s probably not going to be a good idea to move in with someone who has one of those creatures as a pet. Additionally, if the idea of having a furry (or scaly) friend around the house makes you uncomfortable, ensure that you are on the same page about animal cohabitation before signing a lease.
Simultaneously, caring for a pet takes time and energy – which you may not have. If your potential roommate has a pet, inquire about its daily routine and find out how much hands-on care it requires. If they expect you to help out with feedings, walking, or vet appointments, make sure you’ll be able to fit that into your schedule before saying yes to sharing a living space. In addition, if you’re relocating with pets, consider if they can get along with their new roommates, as well.
#3 How Do They Spend Their Weekends?
Think about it – how important are weekends to you? For many people, weekends are a time to relax and recharge after a long week of work or school. You may spend your Saturday mornings sleeping in, catching up on errands, or exploring the area after relocating to a new city.
Now, imagine if your potential roommate had completely different weekend plans than you. They may want to party all weekend long or have friends over every single night. If you value your peace and quiet on the weekends, this could be a major problem! That’s why it’s so important to ask about their usual weekend plans before making any commitments.
#4 How Often Do They Cook?
If you and your housemate both share a passion for cooking, it can be a great base for making friends in a new city from the start. However, you also might find it hard to stay out of each other’s way. Find out what they cook and when. You may find out that they won’t hesitate to prepare a fish meal at 10 PM – decide whether you love or hate it.
Don’t forget to ask about their grocery shopping habits to make sure there’s room for your own food in the fridge and cabinets, but also that you won’t be the only one spending the cash and doing all the work. You can also talk about how to split the costs and agree that whoever finishes something fills it back up.
#5 Have They Faced Some Challenges With Past Roommates?
If they have had challenges with past roommates, it’s important to dig a little further and find out what those challenges were. Was it something minor, like leaving dishes in the sink, or was it something more serious, like neglecting to pay rent on time? If it was something minor, that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. However, if it was something more serious, that’s definitely something you’ll want to take into consideration before making a decision.
In addition to asking about challenges with past roomies, you should also ask how they handled those challenges. Did they talk things out calmly and rationally? Or did they let things boil over until there was a screaming match?
Everyone deals with conflict differently. However, it’s important to find out how potential roommates deal with conflict so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not you would be compatible. After all, you shouldn’t go through all the trouble of searching for the best cross-country moving services and relocating to a new state only to end up with a person you can’t find common ground with.
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What Do They Look For in a New Roommate?
After hiring a cross-country moving company and finding a possible roommate candidate, you must also learn what your potential roommate’s must-haves are. This could be anything from cleanliness to quiet hours to lifestyle choices – you should learn if you possess the qualities your potential future roomie is looking for. It’s important to make sure that you are on the same page when it comes to your living situation.
In addition to must-haves, find out what your potential roommate’s deal breakers are. These are things that they absolutely cannot stand and would not be willing to compromise on. For example, if your potential roommate is afraid of dogs and you plan to move with a dog, that’s probably not going to work out too well. Knowing each other’s dealbreakers upfront can help save a lot of headaches (and arguments) down the road.
Remember – if you get a roomie, you end up not getting along, it can cause or intensify your relocation depression and spoil all of the relocation benefits that await you after the move. So you don’t find yourself wondering if you should move back home, take a look at the video below for some valuable advice on how to get along with your future roommate:
Don’t Skip These Five Questions, and You’ll Find a Good Roommate in No Time
If finding a roomie is on your relocation to-do list, it’s time to start your search. When it’s finally time to move, you should have no problem finding a great roommate with these guidelines in mind. And remember, if at first you don’t succeed, relax and take a deep breath. The perfect roommate is out there somewhere – you just have to find them.
