How should I decide who to live with?
Choosing housemates at university is an important decision. In your first year of university, the decision is normally made for you as you are allocated flatmates to live with. Second-year is the first time you have to actively decide who you want to share your space with, and it can be stressful. Living with people who share similar values and interests can create a positive living environment and enhance your social life. On the other hand, living with people you don’t get on with can lead to conflicts and stress.
Start by defining your priorities
Before you start looking for housemates, it’s important to define your priorities. What kind of living situation are you looking for? Do you prefer a quiet environment or do you want regular nights out? Are you looking for people who share similar interests or hobbies as you? Defining your priorities will help you narrow down your search.
Look for people with similar schedules
Living with people who have similar schedules can make life much easier. If you are a morning person who likes to study early, you may not want to live with someone who stays up late and hosts pres.
Consider your budgets
Discussing finances is an important step in choosing housemates. Consider each person's budget and determine how expenses will be split. Will you be splitting rent and bills evenly, or will they be divided based on room size or other factors? Be sure to discuss these details upfront to avoid conflicts down the line.
Meet potential housemates in person
If you don’t have anyone in your day-to-day that you can live with, there are websites such as studenthousemates.com that can help you find other students in similar situations. Once you’ve messaged and found that you have similar budgets and schedules, it’s important to meet up with them in person. This will give you a chance to get to know them and see if you get on well.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to live with your best friends to have a good university experience. While who you live with can impact your experience, it doesn’t define it. If you’d like to look at accommodation in your area, search our website today.
