How do you feel about room mates?
By cowgirljess
@cowgirljess (336)
United States
December 30, 2007 7:20pm CST
I used to think that having a room mate or two was a great idea, but I am not sure about that anymore.
I have lived in my house for two years with my man and our son. During this time we have had three room mates move in and move out. My man allowed them to stay, I only agreed on the first, she is family. The second was okay, he only stayed a few months, the third was horrible, she was only supposed to stay one night, next thing I new she was here and month and bringing her two kids (who do not listen) on the weekends and then for a week at a time. I told her to pack up.
The fourth just got here, he is my mans best friend and is very respectful, I have no problem with him. Who knows what is going to happen when his girlfriend and daughter get here.
I feel like having a room mate takes away a lot of privacy, and from allowing me to go about my daily activites. This is my house and it bugs me that I always have to share it with others, but we have a hard time, not helping out friends.
Do you have room mates? How do you feel about them?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@kimberlylynn (978)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I had to get a room mate once or risk losing my house. Everyone commented on my dorky room mate but he paid his bills, helped around the house, and was respectful so I didn't care about what anyone thought. It's about talking at the beginning and making rules and working out the money before moving in. it can be a good thing but definitely takes away some privacy. Sounds like you have the wrong people staying with you and I would just draw the line, especially when you have children around and have to think of their safety.
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I have always loved having roommates, like cripfemme pointed out, it lowers rent and is good for company... if you're living alone that is. When you've got a family though I think it's a different story.
If they only stay a few days like Transdisc's friends that's a different story too.
Sounds to me like you and your man have a pretty bad case of the bleeding heart syndrome! Or else you and your man are uncomfortable being alone with each other!
If it becomes clear to you both that you value your privacy more than your reputation with your friends, then I believe you'll find a way to create a more satisfying situation.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
31 Dec 07
Well, my husband and I are married, and we have only tried this once with our small place we are in now. It was not the best deal at all. The person was a friend of mine I had met at the Swap Meet where we used to sell at. She was needing a place to stay as she ended up homeless, and since I felt Sorry for her, we decided to let her stay with us. We were only charging her $300 a month to stay here, and after only 3 weeks we had to tell her she had to move out, as she had just got paid, and we knew it, and then made excuses that she could not pay us as she had no $$. I felt bad for making her homeless again, but we knew it was for the best.
So until we have a bigger place we refuse to try again, and then are still a little wary due to many issues and reserves such as yours. Good Luck with this situation, and hope it works well without breaking up a friendship.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I would love to have a roomate or roomates. You pay less money in rent and utilities when you have a roomate. Also, there's usually simeone to hang out with or if you need some help.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I'm the one that's more or less in the room mate position and it's tough. I try to do everything I can to make things easier on everyone and "earn my keep" but it never feels like it's enough. I have no privacy or respect for my needs or opinions. Everything is there way by their rules regardless of how it works for me...and I don't mean that they should change to suit me but I think there does need to be a certain amount of compromise in some areas.
Anyway once things settle down an we are on our own again we may consider a room mate option or some type of arrangement to bring in at least one other adult. I will definitely lay down ground rules and expectations right from the beginning but also be undertanding of their needs and privacy.
@janisspaggiari59 (656)
• United States
31 Dec 07
No room mates ever in my house.I like my privacy a lot.I even wish that when people came from out of town to visit that they would stay their night in a motel and then come over and visit but not be here around the clock.I like to have people to visit but not for 24 hrs.a day,day after day.Sorry but I don't want to have to think that I have to feed visitors 3 meals a day.I need rest too.
@dreamy1 (3811)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I don't have roommates now but a few years ago when I lived overseas was the first time in my life I had them. It started of with two and these two became good friends we got along very well. Then one moved back to Canada. I just had one but we needed another one so one of our good friends moved in and we all got along great because we were friends. But she left and we got another one. He was ok too he left after a few months and we got another. This girl did not clean she only cleaned her room but nothing else. She didn't hang out with us except for once which I didn't mind. I didn't talk to her a lot. The only problem I had with her was that she never helped clean. Then she moved out and shortly after my roommate and I both moved back to the states. Overall I'd say I've had good experiences with having roomates.
@bstinson1989 (588)
• United States
31 Dec 07
Honesty, I enjoy my roommate quite thoroughly. I was thankful of this as well. I have heard numerous stories about people who were quite unsatisified with there roommates and there antics. My roommate shares the same interest as me, as well as the same study habits- thus allowing me to get things done on my own time. They also have quite a humerous side to them. This allows me to be able to talk to them and tell them anything. We also throw parties, which doesnt hurt either =].
