Living in Apartment alone versus with roommate?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>I'm currently unsure if I would want to have a roommate or not for living in an apartment next year. </p>

<p>Anyone living by themselves want to share their experiences? I would figure that I'd get TONS of work done, but I would most definitely sacrifice a social life, especially if I don't go out and look for people to talk to. Otherwise, I'd be eating by myself everyday, but I could easily have lunch/dinner with people if I just ask so it wouldn't be that big a deal; I'd probably be eating some lunches and dinners by myself but that's expected. </p>

<p>However, having a roommate does it make less lonely and less expensive (rent-wise). Anyone in my dilemma or was in my dilemma that wants to share any insights? I appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>I had a housemate, but not a roommate.</p>

<p>When you want the benefits of a roommate, open the door. When you need to study, close your door.</p>

<p>It’s really the best of both worlds. :)</p>

3

<p>^agreed. I live with 3 others but have my own room, it’s pretty nice.</p>

4

<p>Well you also have to consider costs as well. Im renting a 2 bedroom apartment with three other people so it will be quite cheap. If you live by yourself you would have to pay at least twice as much as me per month.</p>

<p>If you need to study just go to the library…</p>

5

<p>cost wise it’s better to get a roommate. Noise wise/studying wise, of course alone is better or you could just find a roommate whom you know is not loud. Living alone is cool just because you get to just be wild and do whatever you want…play music out loud, watch tv out loud, shout, do random **** out loud. with a roommate, unless you’re a huge ass, you’re probably gonna respect each other noise-wise (on weekdays at least).</p>

6

<p>I might just live in an apartment by myself next year. It’ll really help me academic-wise, especially since I’m taking an extremely rigorous courseload next year (2 grad courses + 2 upper div). </p>

<p>Plus, it’ll give me time to just improve my quality of life without having to interact socially too much (living in a unit this year, I’ve noticed I waste many many hours everyday hanging out with people on my floor). I guess my social life will be completely dependent on how I want it to go.</p>

<p>I’m only worried about with having to deal with all the costs by myself and buying/moving in all the furniture which makes me wonder if living in an apartment will still be cheaper than living in res halls (since lower fin. aid, etc.).</p>

<p>I’m just curious how many people live in an apartment by themselves? Is it rare because I don’t know anyone that does it.</p>

7

<p>I’d assume it is rare because not many people can afford to live by themselves in an apartment.</p>

8

<p>Yeah, studio apartments cost $800-$1200 per month. With a roommate, you’d cut it in half.</p>

<p>That said, the most privacy most students can “afford” is a private room (in a house or apartment) with shared kitchen and bathroom.</p>

9

<p>moving out from a dorm to an apartment is going to be enough of a difference in terms of quietness/social interaction. I personally don’t know anyone who lives alone…</p>

10

<p>a friend of mine lives alone in a studio that he says was meant for two people. I believe he pays something like $1100 for rent. I, on the other hand, pay around $450 a month, sharing a 1br1br with two, technically three, other people. It wouldn’t be terrible if my roommate’s wife didn’t move in (LONG story) but now that she’s here all the time it’s kind of annoying.</p>

<p>anyway, it has its up and its downs.</p>

11

<p>

Well, since I’m still considering my living plans for next year, I doubt I would be able to find a friend to room with me since they’ve all already decided.</p>

<p>I could probably find a cheap enough 1br and plus, I can do whatever I want in the apartment without having to consult a roommate (moving stuff, buying specific furniture, etc.). Also, I like playing my guitar at random periods of time and so I tend to bother people around me.</p>

12

<p>Like others have mentioned, moving from a dorm to an apartment is going to make your life a billion times quieter (and, honestly, that’s a good thing in my opinion) even with roommates.</p>

<p>Room with a few close friends of yours to minimize costs. Trust me, it will still be plenty quiet. Unless your friends are very loud or something.</p>

13

<p>it’s gonna be rare to find a “cheap” 1br unless you talking about a studio. Or so I think. I searched for some last year as I wanted to live alone until my current roommate asked if we could find a place.</p>

14

<p>I define cheap as whatever total price will be the same as or less than the total price of living in the units so I’m sure I could find one.</p>

15

<p>Also, living in an apartment, your eating options might be different. If you can’t cook (or microwave), you should get meal points even if you’re living in an apt.</p>

16

<p>^ Thanks for the heads-up. I intend to be cooking a LOT, but I might buy the cheapest plan just to get stuff from GBC or Bear Market. Then again, it’s all so overpriced anyways that I’ll probably save money getting similar foods at other places. I guess the location is just convenient.</p>

<p>I’ll try to get an apartment alone since I think it’ll be a pretty cool experience, but if I can’t find a good enough one for me to afford, I’ll just try rooming with some stranger (since by that time, all my friends would have known their housing plans).</p>