Living Alone vs. Living with a Roomie

Congratulations! You have graduated, completed your college experience and you are now ready to start the real world on your own…or with a roomie. There are many different factors you should consider before you make your decision on whether or not you want to start your post grad life with a roommate or alone. Here are a few things to digest and think about before making the final verdict.

Living alone

It’s a common misconception that you will make lots of money after college and that you will go on these great adventures and buy everything you want. Majority of the time this is false because typically your first job post college will most likely start you at a salary that is less than pleasing. Living on your own is a privilege that most don’t get to enjoy right out of college but it is attainable if you know how to budget and plan. You need to keep in mind how much you will be making, school loans you have to pay back as well as all the bills you now have to pay- health, car insurance, groceries, electric, cell phone, toll passes etc.

The Benefits:

• Living alone will give you the opportunity to meet new friends and start over.
• Don’t have to deal with noisy or messy roommates.
• Because the household bills have to be in your name and only in your name, this is a great way to establish and/or maintain a good credit score.
• Do whatever you want, whether that is decorative, watching certain television shows or having company over; it’s all up to you and only you.

The Disadvantages:

• Bills are more expensive because they are not being split.
• The comfort and safety knowing that someone is home with you is not there.
• The extra help around the home with like cleaning, watching pets and chores, etc.
• It can be lonely at times.

Living with a roommate

You may have spent your past four years of college cleaning up after a messy roommate or trying to avoid their annoying habits, but your roommate relationship may not come to an end. Living with someone post college has many great benefits as well as disadvantages. The company is nice to have in your living situation and if both roommates are on the same page, can build a great and lasting relationship.

The Benefits:

• The cost of bills is split, meaning more money in your pocket!
• Whenever you need help or an extra hand around the home, you have someone there.
• The comfort and potential to have a great friend and roommate.
• Rooming with someone with a different career than yoursis a great way to network and meet new people.

The Disadvantages:

• Privacy is limited.
• Dealing with someone else’s living habits like cleanliness and personal tastes.
• Bills can get tricky if not done correctly.
• Different sleep habits if they are on a different work schedule.
• Other annoyances like significant others over, pesky pets and a roommate with a tendency to borrow your things.

If you are unsure of the best route for you, go ahead and try living and signing a lease for 6-12 months with a roommate. That way if any financial problems come up, it will be easier on your bank account. Once the lease term ends, reevaluate your living situation to determine what is manageable and appealing to you next.

By Nancy Parker. Nancy was a professional nanny and she loves to write about a wide range of subjects like health, parenting, child care, babysitting, nanny, www.enannysource.com, etc. You can reach her at nancy.parker015 AT gmail DOT com.