Sharing  an apartment or a house, can be either a dream come true or a living nightmare. That’s why to have or not to have roommates (also known as housemate or flatmate) is a tough question, and there’s no right  answer to it. Living with people has its benefits and its stumbling blocks.

First and, probably, the most solid reason to have roommates  is much cheaper bills. You will save money in several ways, splitting utility bills and the cost of groceries among other expenses. If  your roommate likes to cook, cooking for several people saves money over cooking for just one. Plus staying at home and enjoying a home-cooked meal is just a pleasant pastime.

Living alone can be stressful, boring and even frightening, especially in a new place or a new city. Having a roommate might be helpful here as well.

With other people running around the house, you will hardly ever feel lonely. There’s always someone to go with to the store late at night, watch TV shows or play  board games. And you always can invite over a few close friends and throw a party in your living room. Any kinds of activities are usually enjoyed more with a company! Also roommates can feed your pets, water your plants and receive important correspondence for you…

There are also numerous disadvantages of  having a roommate, though. Obviously, the main ones  are the lack of privacy, financial risk (if your roommate escapes without paying part of the rent), household chores such as cleaning the common areas, etc.

When these disadvantages are severe they may result in an uncomfortable environment or even a dangerous living situation.

You will avoid a lot of headaches if you carefully select a roommate, because it will lessen the stress involved in sharing living space with another person, have a roommate agreement (which can outline rent and other payment responsibilities, a system of chores, how much notice is to be given before moving out, and any other issues), and quickly resolve any disputes.