What to consider when choosing a roommate?

Are you a morning person or a night owl? If you love staying up late, choose a roommate whose eyes aren't drooping by eight in the evening. Significant differences in sleep schedules will likely cause friction if neither of you can sleep when you'd like to.

Do you like to deep-clean your apartment weekly, or is vacuuming every now and then enough? Choose a roommate whose cleanliness standards are roughly the same as yours. In fairness, both of you need to take care of tidiness to avoid unnecessary arguments. It's worth agreeing on cleaning arrangements right from the start and maintaining a level of cleanliness that works for both of you.

Do you enjoy peace and quiet, or the buzz of conversation and doing things together? Compromises can and probably should be made from time to time, but living together is easier if you and your roommate are on the same wavelength about things like when you can invite other people over to shared spaces. Home is a place where everyone should be able to be themselves.

Are you willing to share things like cooking utensils you've bought, or would you prefer to keep all belongings separate when possible? Agree with your roommate right from the start on how you want to handle sharing items. It's also worth discussing whether you'll share groceries.

Are you a friend to all furry creatures, or allergic to animals? Your roommate might come with a surprise resident if this hasn't been discussed. If a pet lives with you, it's also worth agreeing on how pet care responsibilities are shared.