Moving to Northern Virginia and Need a Roommate?

By: Alexys James ... Click on author's name for more of their articles

Northern Virginia’s cost of living can be higher compared to where you’re moving from. If that’s true then you may be feeling the plight of your monthly budget increasing and you’re considering a roommate to lessen the financial pinch. Having a roommate(s) can put more money in your pocket each month. Before you get too excited about how much money you can save ask yourself “Can I live with others?” Unfortunately all of us can’t say yes so I recommend asking yourself the following questions to alleviate any future drama:

Can I break my habit? - You may carry the title of “Neat Freak”. You love a clean kitchen, bathroom, rug vacuumed, or coasters for your drinks. Are you willing to compromise because your new roommate(s) can be annoyed because you’re constantly cleaning up behind them? You’ll have to ask yourself if my habits annoy others and could cause drama if addressed.

Should my coworker be my roommate? Living with co-workers is rarely a good idea. If you’re unhappy with your job then you’re not able to go home and release your work stress. Also, home conflicts make an uncomfortable work environment and vice versa. Think about when your co-worker wants you to do something and you’re thinking negative thoughts because he/she constantly leaves the bathroom a wreck. This doesn’t create a healthy environment.
Will my roommate stunt my dating? What if you want to bring a date home, have a romantic dinner, sit on the couch, and cuddle? Will your roommate(s) be supportive of this? If the only 50” HDTV is in the living room and you’re roommate(s) want to play video games or watch a movie then you may be cuddling in your room.

How much do I value privacy? The importance of privacy varies with everyone. If you value your privacy then living with others may not be for you. Do you like to read the paper and watch the news in peace in the morning? Do you like to spend a lot of time in the bathroom?

Can I afford to carry my roommate? Through thick and thin is the roommate concept? Unfortunately job loss occurs or your roommate decides to jump ship in the middle of the lease. Are you financially prepared to carry the load?

Finding a roommate can be stressful. Before jumping into the decision of finding someone to share your living space to save money conduct a self evaluation of your values. If you still want to proceed then be prepared for instances of dirty dishes, multiple visits from significant others, or any other bothersome situation. To alleviate mishaps really do your homework when fining a roommate. Ask all of the right questions to reveal their character. Background and reference checks will also help you find the person(s). Also, ensure you have an emergency savings fund that will bail you out when your roommate decides to abandon you unexpectedly. Lastly, keep the lines of communication open and create a Roommate Code of Conduct to abide by.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Alexys James created www.moving-2-northern-virginia.com to assist people who are moving to Northern Virginia. Moving 2 Northern Virginia provides helpful tips to assist in moving and living in Northern Virginia.

Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Alexys James

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