Do you like your roommate? Are they worth the inconvenience? (San Jose: apartments, renters)

[Coco012000]

I'm coing to Santa Clara in about 2 months, and not going to have a lot of $$$ for rent. I've been told that I should rent a room until I get more $$$, but personally I HATE ROOMMATES!!!

I haven't had a roommate that didn't make me hate my life. I've had the dead beat, the couch potato, the my-sig-other-****-don't-stink, the can-i-borrow-everything-you-own-and-(destroy/keep forever), the I-want-to-go-everywhere-you-go, the I'm-gona-eat-all-your-food, and the Oh-can-you-pay-all-of-this-months-rent-and-next roommates. Most times, I've gotten more than one of those traits in said roommate.

This leaves me thinking "do other people like their roommates?" Is there some special thing I don't know that makes living with someone else easier?

[gone down south]

The economics of renting in the Bay Area mean that you'll get a lot more professional, serious people sharing apartments here, whereas in the much of the country it's shorthand for overgrown frat boys reliving "Old School".

[Coco012000]

Originally Posted by gone down south

The economics of renting in the Bay Area mean that you'll get a lot more professional, serious people sharing apartments here, whereas in the much of the country it's shorthand for overgrown frat boys reliving "Old School".

Do you have a roommate? Does this mean you've had better experience with roommates in the bay area as opposed to somewhere else?

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by gone down south

The economics of renting in the Bay Area mean that you'll get a lot more professional, serious people sharing apartments here,

Generally, yes, but it has much to do with what age group you aim for. Lots of people will rent for a number of months who just got here and are looking for more permanent dwellings, as they often just moved for a job or school. Need to meet people before you even think of living under the same roof, and there's no guarantees they'll not go Jekyll/Hyde after they move in.

Just remind them about the fate of those now resting within the walls of the basement for nonpayment, and they'll behave.

[StandingRoomOnly]

You should get a good feel for the ads in Craigslist...usually they specify if they are looking for a professional or student. And you can always email back and forth a bit to decide if you will mesh with the person(s). My husband and I both did the roommate thing just starting out here in the south bay and it worked out fine for us. Husband stayed in 2 different places. 1st place he had 2 housemates sharing a 3 bedroom condo in north San Jose (800 a month in 2003)...both early or mid 30s and he hardly ever saw them...they didn't even cook in the condo for the most part. Second place he downgraded to save money for our wedding (425 a month) and shared a house in south San Jose with 3 other roommates...had to share a bathroom too. That one wasn't great due to it being dirty all the time, but he still hardly saw his housemates. My situation, I actually shared a bedroom for 400 a month across from sjsu...got a long great with my roommates and it was a good situation for us, even thought I don't recommend sharing a room.

Maybe stay away from being too near a college...should be able to find professional roommates and ads for those looking for professionals.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by gone down south

The economics of renting in the Bay Area mean that you'll get a lot more professional, serious people sharing apartments here, whereas in the much of the country it's shorthand for overgrown frat boys reliving "Old School".

This is true. I've had several "professional" roommates in major cities. Not now, but before... They were excellent roommates actually. There are lots of travelers who just need a room maybe 2 weeks out of the month instead of getting a hotel, I had that situation once and sometimes had the place to myself for a month at a time. It probably helps for this if you are near a DT area though and they can get to your place and their work sans car... but they are out there. Many are looking to fly into a city, have a place to stay, and go to their office in that city for a bit. Some will even have their travel expensed by a company for travel funds instead of them paying a hotel every time so they have a more comfortable stay. I'm sure in SV you'll have some people that only need to be there half time. I would try to look for a professional roommate who just needs somewhere to sleep and has a good job, vs. somebody who is just trying to pay the bills at the cheapest price. My last roommate was actually a foreign diplomat who worked at the local consulate. Now, if you aren't professional yourself, you aren't going to attract like minded roommates once they meet you, so a lot will depend on how you present yourself and your place.

This was much different experience than my roommates in college, who were all immature slobs. :P

[blauskies]

I would rather live in a van down by the river.

[5thgenSF]

maybe you'd rather stay in ohio.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by anthony052007

I'm coing to Santa Clara in about 2 months, and not going to have a lot of $$$ for rent. I've been told that I should rent a room until I get more $$$, but personally I HATE ROOMMATES!!!

I haven't had a roommate that didn't make me hate my life. I've had the dead beat, the couch potato, the my-sig-other-****-don't-stink, the can-i-borrow-everything-you-own-and-(destroy/keep forever), the I-want-to-go-everywhere-you-go, the I'm-gona-eat-all-your-food, and the Oh-can-you-pay-all-of-this-months-rent-and-next roommates. Most times, I've gotten more than one of those traits in said roommate.

This leaves me thinking "do other people like their roommates?" Is there some special thing I don't know that makes living with someone else easier?

I had roommates for 8.5 years. I lived in 4 different houses during that time. What worked out best for me was renting from older divorced women. Bottom line is it's better to rent a room from someone who owns and lives in the home. If you share a house or apartment with other renters your own age, people are always coming and going, so you never know what you're going to get.

[Coco012000]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

Just remind them about the fate of those now resting within the walls of the basement for nonpayment, and they'll behave.

Do they really care? In most cases, I would think I would be locked into a lease.