Renting an Apartment: Finding a Roommate and Splitting the Bills

If you can handle living with another person, you can greatly reduce your living expenses by getting a roommate. Half of the rent of a two-bedroom apartment is usually cheaper than the full rent of a one-bedroom or even studio apartment. Utilities can also be cut in half and, depending on how well you get along, you can also split groceries.

Where to find a roommate
Don't immediately ask your best friend to room with you. Best friends don't always make best roommates. Before agreeing to share a living space with someone, think of what bothers you the most about that person. Now multiply that by 100. If you can deal with that, then you might be able to live with him or her.

If you don't know anyone you think you can live with, you can look in the classified ads. There are usually ads for "Roommate Wanted." If that doesn't work, place an ad yourself. Living with a stranger can be an intimidating thought. But you may not put the same requirements on a stranger as you would a close friend. You can live separate lives and not annoy each other. It's very difficult to do that with someone you are already friends with.

Setting ground rules
An important part of building a successful roommate relationship is setting up the ground rules of the apartment. What is acceptable to each of you and what is not? Are there things that bother you, times you need the apartment to be quiet or any other issues that need to be addressed?