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(My first roommates in NYC circa 2006 - The lovely Lauren and Renie) |
Craigslist horror
stories in New York City are days of your early twenties past – when all you
could afford was the cheapest walk up with three strangers in Bed-Stuy. For
those of us in our mid to late-twenties, we can afford to be a bit more
selective when choosing who we live with and where we do it. But, whether
you’re living in your first apartment with strangers or splitting the rent with
close friends, there are ways to make living with others less stressful.
Stick to these basic
roomie guidelines and you’ll be well on your way to a peaceful coexistence,
without composing a roommate contract fit for Sheldon on Big Bang Theory.
Kitchen. Wash your
dishes, making sure the sink doesn’t resemble something out of an episode of
Hoarders to keep the peace. Nothing creates more resentment than one roommate
who feels forced to constantly clean everyone else’s dirty dishes. Not all New
York apartments are blessed with a dishwasher. Regarding food and the fridge, always
ask before diving into their supply and share your goods too. People are
usually happy to share their food, but if you eat their treats without asking,
things could turn pretty ugly. Whether your kitchen opens into the living room
or is a tiny nook, keep the space as clean as possible after cooking, baking or
cocktailing.
Television. While one
roommate can’t get enough of Mob Wives, the other may be all about 30 Rock. Set
some DVR ground rules, so everyone can catch their favorite programs when home
from their busy city social lives. Don’t delete episodes from the DVR just
because you need space to record Glee. If you’re not a socialite like your
roomie, don’t lie on the couch claiming the TV every night of the week. Share
the remote when you’re all home in the living room after a long day in the
office. Relaxing together in the common space can make for roomie bonding.
Noise. If you and your
roommates have similar schedules, this won’t be too much of a problem when
hitting the sack. But, if you’re roomie needs to get to sleep by 10pm and
you’re usually strolling in drunk at 4am on weeknights because of your flexible
freelance schedule, walk with your heels off and mind the lights to avoid
waking up your nine-to-five roommate. NYC apartments are small, so yes; someone
probably heard your romp under the sheets last night. Keep your voice down
during the night and early morning hours.
Décor. Feel free to
decorate your own room as you see fit; your personal space is where you can get
creative. When it comes to the shared areas, make sure to consult with your
roommate first before making any drastic changes, such as repainting the living
room walls bright orange or adding pink fluffy covers to the toilet seat.
Weekend Guests. If you
have a friend or family member staying over, give your roomie a heads up. It’s important
to talk with your roommate if you are planning to have someone stay with you
for an extended period of time. A loud cousin who plans to crash for a month is
just not cool. And frankly, there is not enough space in a New York City
apartment for extra guests to sleep, shower and dine.
BFs and GFs. Just like having weekend guests, when your significant other stays
over for multiple nights in a row, be considerate of your roommate’s routine.
Spend time in your room instead of a common area and make sure your lover gets
up extra early to shower as to not interrupt your roomie’s bathroom time. Remember
that while you may love your man, your roommate may not be as fond of his humor
or charm.
Roommate Hookups. No
matter how sexy you find your new male roommate, hooking up with him is just
not worth the drama. Just. Don’t. Do. It.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The most important thing to remember when
living with a roommate or two is to be respectful. Always treat them the way
that you'd like to be treated.
What’s your advice for
keeping the peace while rooming with others? xo
I LOVE this picture!
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