We’ve all seen the movies and read the stories about the roommate from hell…but this shouldn’t scare you out of having roommates! Having roommates not only lowers your rent, but also helps you lessen your chores, plus, it can end up being a fun experience!

Now that you know why you should have a roommate, the next step is finding the perfect roommate. This may not be the easiest task, because you want to make sure you’re making the right decision about who to live with, but it’s also not the most difficult. The main thing you should you look for is someone who has the same kind of lifestyle as you. For instance, if you’re someone who works a lot and you go to bed early to wake up early, you’re not going to want a roommate who is constantly looking to party and have people over. If you’re a grad student, you’re going to have a lot of studying and work to do and you’re not going to want to live with an undergrad who isn’t on the same page as you. This is why you have to be very clear on what kind of lifestyle you have and what kind of hours you keep.

Rooming with friends is also a great thing to consider, though you should think deep before making the decision. Personally, I’ve had amazing experiences living with friends and cannot imagine having other roommates. However, I know people who’ve lived with their friends and it ended up tearing them apart. Only room with the friends who you know you can spend a lot of time around, and who you’re comfortable confronting if there are any issues.

America’s favorite roommate duo.