Having roommates has its financial and social benefits when you're in college or a young professional, but most of us expect the time will come when we live alone or just with our nuclear family. The recession seems to be changing that. According to CNN more and more professionals (often homeowners) are taking in roomies to help cover the cost of a mortgage and make up for frozen salaries and unexpected health care cost increases.
One of the men interviewed is a 44-year-old homeowner who said he used to travel yearly, eat almost every meal out and splurge on fancy phones and gym memberships, but has been forced to cut back. He told CNN: "I'm a little bit leery — actually a lot leery. But I don't really have a choice."
By Caprice
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Giuseppe Zanotti
I actually live with a roommate now. I love the fact that I dont have all the responsibility financially. You just have to make sure that you are rooming with the right person. But I LOVE MY ROOMMATE shes the best.
1No Way. My answer is more like, "No, I can't live with anyone - part of my family or not." I don't even like having guests - friends, boyfriend, family - for very long. I like my space and alone time WAY too much to expand my household beyond my pooch and I.
2It is all about finding the right roommate.
3i already live with my fiance so there's no room for anyone else, but if i didn't i think that i would do it if necessary. living in NYC especially it's really hard to afford to live in a decent place alone. i've lucked out in the past to find great apartments that i could afford, but most people aren't so fortunate.
4NO. I did the college thing and am so over roommates. Unless it's a SO, I'd rather look for a cheaper apartment than a roommate!
5I lived alone for years, then moved in with a cool lady last month. It was a great decision! I save on rent, live in a more-fun neighborhood, and have a friendly relationship with her. And with the money I saved in just two months, I'm taking a trip to Spain. Win-win.
6I have a roommate now and I love it.
7I would live with a roommate, but alas, I don't know anyone who is looking for a roommate. Everyone I know is married or soon to be married, and I will not live with a stranger. It's either a friend or someone a friend knows kind of thing... not someone on the internet or Craigslist.
8I'm married so i guess technically i have a roommate. But if we needed help paying the bills i would hesitate to bring in a roommate, we have not had much luck in the past and that was with family members
9I've lived with my family and I lived with my boyfriend just fine, but I hated having roommates. The only way I could handle it is if they had their own kitchen and bathroom and tv, like a garage studio or something. But maybe I just haven't found the right roomate ever.
10I've lived with my family and I lived with my boyfriend just fine, but I hated having roommates. The only way I could handle it is if they had their own kitchen and bathroom and tv, like a garage studio or something. But maybe I just haven't found the right roomate ever.
11I'm fortunate I currently live with 2 roommates who were strangers from craigslist and we get along great and have even become friends. But I will soon be embarking on living with the boyfriend to save even more money... eep! Also, that "Three's Company" picture cracks me up!
12I bought a house a few months ago, and if something happens to me financially, I'd absolutely go get some roommates. I'm glad to hear that more people are doing this. It sure beats defaulting on your loans and/or accepting government money.
13No, but not because I couldn't live with anyone else who wasn't family - I have. A LOT. And it really is just not the best environment for me physically or mentally. I can deal with it, and I have dealt with it, but I'm not nearly as productive or efficient. Sometimes what I save in finances on rent and utilities just goes right back in to pay late fees and higher living expenses. There *is* a point, even in this economy, where it's just not worth it.
I would cut back on EVERYTHING else before considering a roommate again.
14Before I got married, I lived in a big old house with 7 other roommates and I hated it. It's just a giant pain to have to keep all the food separate and to divide up the chores and stuff. Plus, we all had different schedules which made for a very crazy household. My husband is now my roommate, I guess, but I don't think we'd take in anyone else, even if we were desperate.
15I have lived with and without room mates, and my considered opinion is....get a part time job instead of having someone else in your space. Be creative... I teach 3 hours a day at a Kindergarten in China for rmb8500 per month. My rent and expenses are rmb2000 per month. Needless to say I live WELL. If the current economy you live in doesnt blow your skirt up...consider a different one. I can save money and go home to visit my family for a month a year. When I live in the USA I do nto see them that much. Interesting...huh? Think creatively...and dont take in a roommate.
16Sure, paying all these bills alone is brutal.
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