These Are the Top 25 Things People Look For in a Roommate, and Yes, "Wine Drinker" Is Included
Get the Full StoryLiving with someone can be tough. Not only do you need to sync your life to work well with another, but you're letting someone into your space to also make it theirs. It can be challenging to stay on the same page with someone for the long haul if you're not compatible. That's why looking for a roommate is definitely a process, and you may need to go through a few options before finding the right person to share a home with.If you're on the hunt for your next roommate but aren't sure which qualities are most important in finding your perfect match, have no fear: there's a list for that. According to a survey from SpareRoom that involved over 6,000 roommates and roommate-seekers in the U.S., there were about 25 key factors that went into making a killer roommate you'll want to lock down.
They found that about 99 percent of respondents want roommates who are respectful, responsible, honest, and clean or neat, and also that people want a "friendly" roommate who can still be quiet and reasonable. So, maybe don't go leaving your dishes out overnight. Additionally, smoking was a big red flag. About 74 percent of roommates said they definitely didn't want to live with a smoker.
Sharing commonalities in hobbies and decor was also big, where 1 in 3 participants said they wanted roommates to share a similar sense of style, to exercise, to like plants in the home, and to bake. There was also television viewing. One in 3 people wanted a potential roommate to be willing to share a Netflix subscription, so they can save money. And drinking habits were also a huge factor. Twenty-five percent of people said it's important that their roommate drinks wine, while 40 percent of respondents in their 20s wanted someone who can party and have some fun.
Here's the full ranking of the top 25 specific preferences:
Respectful
Responsible
Honest
Clean neat
Friendly
Quiet
Non-smoker
Age
Similar interests hobbies
Love for animals
Gender
Has furniture
Likes to cook
Similar dietary habits
Similar interests in music
Likes to hosts parties
Single
Smoker
Likes to exercise
Likes to party
Love for plants
Shares a similar sense of style
Likes to bake
Willingness to share a Netflix subscription
Wine drinker
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