Atlanta Apartments

Sharing an Atlanta apartment with a roommate can end some of your major problems, and can create more than you probably ever imagined. If you’re thinking about making this move, consider some of the pros and cons of having a roommate.

* 24-7 - You may have someone who is a terrific friend and who you love to spend time with. How great would it be to have that person as roommate? Before you jump up and make the call, you should consider what it is that attracts you to that person. If it’s that he or she is just a ton of fun, always cracking jokes and usually with something funny to say about every situation, remember that even your favorite comedienne would get old if you lived with wisecracks twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If you have this person as your roommate, he or she is going to have access to what was once your Atlanta apartment, 24-7. There’s a lot of difference between spending a few hours every weekend with someone and sharing an Atlanta apartment with him. In this case, your grandma’s adage is true: Familiarity does breed contempt.

* The finances - The financial strain of living on a single income can be greatly impacted by the presences of a roommate, but that roommate has to be someone reliable who is actually going to share the bills and pay up on time. If you’re looking for financial help, be certain that you are clear on expenses and how they are to be paid. It doesn’t hurt to have something put in writing and notarized. If your potential roommate balks at this, it might be a sign that he or she isn’t really planning to pay on time.

* Compatibility
Compatibility is a major issue, though sharing an Atlanta apartment with someone of different ethnicity, gender or beliefs could be a good experience for the both of you as well. Before you select someone who has a vastly different cultural background, go over some of your ideals and habits and ask your potential roommate for the same. The same is true of someone you don’t know very well. If you prefer to sleep in until the last possible minute before jumping into your clothes and rushing off to work, you may find that having that early morning person who is doing calisthenics down the hall an hour before your alarm goes off is too much to handle.

* The “Odd Couple” never really works out - Likewise, it may seem a great idea to have a roommate who is a “neat freak.” After all, you’ll benefit from their need to clean. It sounds good in theory, but the reality is that the person who feels compelled to do all the cleaning will soon resent the person who never cleans and that resentment will show. The person who never cleans will also likely soon resent the fact that he’s always being fussed at for his sloppy habits.

* And a dog named “Blue” - Before you select a roommate, carefully evaluate your reasons for wanting one. If you’re looking for companionship, you may want to select a four-legged pal instead of a two-legged roommate. In some ways, a pet may be more trouble than a human, but you will be able to set the rules. If you’re looking for financial relief, your canine (or feline or hamster) probably isn’t going to be the answer.

Remember that choosing a roommate is likely a long-term decision. Walking out on an agreement that leaves your roommate in financial trouble shouldn’t be something you consider. At the same time, your dedication to this person is only as long as your lease, so it’s likely that you could be stuck only for six months or a year. Since it’s not a life-time commitment, this might be an opportunity to expand your own horizons with someone you wouldn’t otherwise have selected as your Atlanta apartment roommate.