By Angela B.

Living with your best friend as a roommate during college can be a fantastic experience, but there are situations where it might not be the best idea. Here are some scenarios to consider:

Different Study Habits:

If you and your best friend have vastly different study habits, it might lead to conflicts. For example, if one of you prefers a quiet environment while studying, and the other likes to have friends over, it can create tension.

Financial Disparities:

If there's a significant difference in your financial situation, it can lead to discomfort. One person might need help to afford the same lifestyle or contribute equally to shared expenses, causing strain on the friendship.

Cleanliness and Organization:

Divergent levels of cleanliness and organization can lead to frustration. If one of you is neat and the other is messy, it may create tension and strain the living arrangement.

Romantic Relationships:

If one of you starts a romantic relationship and the other doesn't, it can create awkward situations. Balancing personal relationships and shared living spaces can be challenging.

Personal Boundaries:

Living together might reveal personal habits or idiosyncrasies you were unaware of before. It could lead to discomfort if personal boundaries are not respected.

Lack of Independence:

Living with a best friend may impede your ability to meet new people and form relationships outside your social circle. It's important to balance friendships and other social experiences.

Handling Conflicts:

If you and your best friend don't handle conflicts well or if one of you tends to avoid confrontation, issues might fester and negatively impact your friendship.

Different Schedules:

If your schedules are drastically different, with one being an early riser and the other a night owl, it can lead to disruptions and potential conflicts regarding noise and shared spaces.

Personality Differences:

While being friends with people who are opposites can be rewarding and enriching, sometimes living with them is another story! For example, consider whether you are an introvert or extrovert, late-night prowler or early bird riser, prefer quiet nights at home or late-night partying, social animal or quiet creature, smoker vs. non-smoker, and more! To get started, and find your perfect roommate match, visit [Roommates.com](https://my.roommates.com/users/sign_up?member_type=needer). 

Future Plans:

Suppose one of you has different plans for the future, such as moving to a different city after graduation. In that case, aligning your goals with the shared living situation might be challenging.

Sharing Responsibilities:

A lack of willingness to share responsibilities such as cleaning, grocery shopping, or paying bills can lead to frustration and resentment.

Summary:

While knowing what you are getting into can also have benefits, it's important to keep the above tips in mind when considering whether or not to room with your bestie. 

Remember, above all, it's important to have open and honest communication with your best friend before deciding to become roommates, discussing expectations, potential challenges, and how you plan to address them. Sometimes, maintaining separate living spaces can preserve the strength of your friendship in the long term!

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