6 Tips to Make Moving in with Someone New Effortless
Hello All,
Whether you grew up together or you still haven’t met, moving in with a roommate is a big step! There are some checkpoints that may make the transition smoother,
Whether you grew up together or you still haven’t met, moving in with a roommate is a big step! There are some checkpoints that may make the transition smoother, safer, and more fun!
My roommate and I planned on attending a technical college (no provided housing) about an hour away from our hometown when we graduated together. And so, it worked out really well that we had someone to share our journey with. We already knew each other and learned to work together when finding an apartment. However, I noticed that if I was going to live with her, we needed to know each other a little bit better.
So, here is a short list of ideas that you may want to talk over with your roommate. They can come in handy in your everyday life and in emergencies.
I.) Who is an emergency contact?
You may use your parents or other family as an emergency contact. You might even have that programmed into your phone, but does your roommate know that? I have my roommate’s mom’s number and my roommate has both my parents’ and my sister’s (who lives in town) numbers. She also has my boyfriend’s number, which is also a great idea! If there was any sort of emergency, we know who to call for each other.
II.) Know each other’s vehicles.
Not everyone brings a car to college (or needs one in a city), but those who do should let their roommate know. Keep a little notebook that has all of this information, such as the make, model, and license plate number of each other’s cars.
III.) Allergies Anyone?
After knowing my roommate as a close friend for 5 years, I never knew that she issues with foods that are too acidic. By simple ignorance, we could have endangered each other. Let your roommate in on any medicine, food, or other types of allergies that you may have.
IV.) Scheduling
The first year of college, my roommate and I ran completely different schedules. But, it was always nice to know where each other was. We both posted our class schedules right by the door. This was handy when we ever felt like getting lunch together or if we needed a ride somewhere.
V.) Working Much?
Both my roommate and I looked for jobs as soon as we got to town. It is really important to look out for each other’s safety, and one way to do that is to generally know when and where each other work. You may work at Applebee’s, but there may be two or three in your town. Let your roommate know where you are working and maybe even the name of your supervisor.
VI.) Get to know each other’s living preferences.
There are a lot of little ways that you and your roommate may differ, and some of them can be the death of your relationship. Think about things like:
- Night owl or early bird?
- Can you sleep with a light on? Will you need curtains?
- Do you like to keep the window open? Or do you prefer a fan?
- Is your phone always on ring or vibrate? Is that a noise disturbance?
- Are you messy or clean?
Remember, passive aggressive notes are the absolute worst! Maybe after a week or two of living together, you two can sit down and talk about what just isn’t working.
Bonus: Ideas to try out with your roommate!
VII.) Workout Buddies! Roommates who workout together are happy – and sweaty – together! I know for me it was awesome to have my roommate pushing me to get out of bed and get moving. Even if you two join an intermural or just shoot hoops together, ever little bit works.
VIII.) Hobby time?
Maybe pick a hobby or club to join with your roommate? It can keep your relationship fun and close! This is a great way to create memories and a lasting friend.
IX.) Track your roommate.
This may seem a bit weird to bring up when you first meet your roommate, but it shouldn’t. There are apps out there that will make it safe for you to walk home from class when it is dark out or when you are out on a run. My favorite is Companion, it is available for Android and iPhone. It simply lets someone track your phone as you are getting from point A to point B. Especially in bigger cities, it may be nice to ask your roommate if they would download the app with you.
Did I miss anything? What did you talk about with your roommate before you moved in? Any suggestions?
Good Luck,
Allie
