Starting college often means living with someone new for the first time. Whether you’re moving into a dorm or sharing an off-campus apartment, choosing who you live with can have a huge impact on your college experience.

You might immediately think of your best friend, but being great friends doesn't always mean you'll be great roommates. Your living habits, schedules, cleanliness, budgets, and expectations can be very different.

Instead of asking “Who do I want to live with?”, start by asking:

“Who would I actually be compatible with?”

What Should You Look for in a Roommate?

Before committing to living together, talk about the things that can cause the most problems later:

  •  Cleanliness: How often do you expect to clean? 
  •  Budget: What can each person comfortably afford? 
  •  Schedules: Are you an early riser or a night owl? 
  •  Guests: How often are friends or partners coming over? 
  •  Noise: Do you prefer a quiet space or don't mind having people around? 
  •  Food: Will you share groceries or keep everything separate? 
  •  Transportation: Does anyone need parking? 
  •  Pets: Are pets allowed or something you're comfortable with? 
  •  Study time: Do you expect your home to be a quiet place to work? 
These conversations might feel awkward at first, but they're much easier to have before signing a lease than after you've moved in. That way you can have a good idea of if you even want to move in with them.

Should You Live With Your Best Friend?

Maybe!

There's nothing wrong with living with your best friend if you have compatible lifestyles and communicate well. Just don't assume that a strong friendship automatically makes someone a good roommate.

Living together introduces a different dynamic to a friendship. You're now sharing responsibilities, money, personal space, and potentially a lease.

If you do decide to live together, set expectations from the beginning and don't be afraid to talk about problems when they come up.

What If You Don't Have a Roommate Yet?

Don't worry—you don't have to have your entire apartment group figured out before you start looking for housing.

You can search for individual rooms, shared apartments, or roommate matching opportunities through your university and student housing platforms.

JumpOffCampus also offers a roommate matching option, making it easier for students looking for off-campus housing to connect with potential roommates.

A good roommate can make an apartment feel like home. Choose someone you can live with, not just someone you like.