Off-campus living opens the door to freedom, more space, and independence. But choosing the right place to live is just one half of the equation. Picking the right people to live with for a whole semester or even longer is another important decision. Your roommates can make or break the experience, especially when you’re sharing a 3- to 6-bedroom house. So, how and where do you find good roommates?
Whether you’re eyeing a 3-bedroom house with a yard or a 2-bedroom apartment just minutes away from campus, this guide will help you choose responsible roommates who won’t make you want to tear your hair out.
Getting Good Roommates Requires Good Communication and Intuition
It would be pretty simple if you could simply live with people you’re familiar with, like your close friends. However, being friends with someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be a good fit as housemates, though. You still need to think carefully about whether you’ll both be able to coexist well in a shared apartment.
Before you start your roommate search, take a moment to think about what your ideal roommate would be like.
This is a simple five-step guide to get great roommates you vibe well with.
1. Know What You’re Looking For in a Housemate
Living with someone/s can get pretty exhausting if you all have different priorities, noise levels, and personalities. Like with the apartment search, try to list down your non-negotiables. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want roommates who are energetic and sociable?
- Are you the type to sleep early and wake up before the sun rises?
- Do you value a quiet study environment?
- How do you feel about sharing chores, groceries, or bathrooms?
- What are some house rules you want to establish?
2. Use Word-of-Mouth and Trusted Sources to Connect with Potential Roommates
Leave the Craigslist posts as a last resort. It’s best to start your search with your friends and acquaintances. Ask around in your major, student orgs, or groupmates if anyone’s looking to move into an off-campus apartment.
Another alternative is to post on the local OU Facebook housing groups and other roommate request boards.
Before you jump the gun and sign a lease with someone you’ve met for approximately 5 minutes, try to have a few conversations first and suss them out first. Watch out for these warning signs in a housemate to avoid living with any difficult people.
3. Have Important Conversations Early On
Once you’ve found someone who seems like a good fit, set up a casual “roommate interview”. This is definitely not overkill, because you’re going to be living together for at least a few months.
It may feel awkward to have these conversations, but it’ll save you a lot of frustration down the road. Here are a few things you need to talk about:
- Daily routines (early bird vs. night owl, class schedules, etc.)
- Cleanliness standards (chores and common areas)
- Visitors and parties
- Rent and bill-paying habits (source of income)
- Pets, smoking, or other health related questions
Be honest about your expectations. Transparency and honesty now can prevent a lot of issues later on.
4. Watch Out for Roommate Red Flags
Even if someone checks all the boxes, pay attention to early warning signs. If they’re late to meetups, not helping you with the apartment search, or vague about money, it’s worth a second thought.
5. Have a Written Roommate Agreement to Refer Back To
Once you’ve found good people to live with, make it official by putting things into writing. On your written agreement, include the following details:
- Terms about rent, bills, chores, and house rules
- What to do if someone must move out
- Communication methods (group chats, monthly check-ins, chore calendar, payment schedules, and tracker)
Some landlords also provide apartments or houses with individual leases, which makes splitting costs a lot easier. Finding the right roommates can make or break your experience living in an off-campus apartment.
If the search for housemates feels daunting and stressful, you should consider a 1 bedroom student rental or an Athens studio apartment located on Court Street. Living alone guarantees that you don’t have to deal with any potential roommate fights and issues. However, finding a place for yourself could be tricky since there’s a sky-high demand for solo apartments near campus. The only solution to this is to start your apartment search months in advance, before the new academic year starts.
Just like with Roommates, Picking the Right Athens Rental Company Makes All the Difference in Your Student Life
With great roommates, your experience as a college student can feel much brighter and even fun. When your roommates have your back, things like cleaning the kitchen, splitting bills, or surviving finals week won’t be as stressful.
That’s why you should take your time to ask the right questions and trust your gut when it comes to picking who you’re going to live with.
On the same note, your landlord can make a huge difference in how well your off-campus living goes. Before you sign a lease, read up on landlord reviews and ask around. You don’t want to get stuck with a one-year lease with a sleazy landlord who’s a nightmare to deal with.
A reputable rental company like Kleinpenny Rentals strives to provide you with a stress-free renting experience. Our housing options are well-located, situated within minutes from Athens’ busy uptown area and OU campus. From luxury studio apartments in Athens to huge 8-bedroom houses, you have a wealth of options.
Make sure to begin your apartment hunt early, though, because places are usually rented out for an entire school year.