20 Questions: Roommate Edition

For many, love at first sight is only true in fairy tales. Finding the perfect partner can take a fair amount of searching, a hefty amount of narrowing down, and hours of interrogation.

The same can be said for finding a perfect roommate. Ideally, the person you share your home with should be someone who has a compatible lifestyle with your own, someone you enjoy spending time with, and someone who will remain a good friend for years.

Luckily, there are tons of ways to get to know new roommate. In our 20 Questions: Roommate Edition, we offer 20 questions to ask your potential new roommate that will help you figure out just how compatible the two of you really are.

1. What's on your bucket list?

A fun icebreaker, find out one of your roommate's life goals. Who knows - if you share the same dream, a vacation may be in order.

2. What do you value more – money or experience?

Although a recent trend has shown people spending money on experiences rather than material items, having an idea of what your new roommate’s outlooks on life could prevent a financial disaster down the road.

3. What is your dream job?

Do you and your new roommate have the same job? Getting to know their career goals is a great way to figure out their interests and pastimes. Plus, networking is always a plus.

4. What are you most passionate about?

Does your new bunkmate love what they do? Are they activists or hardcore hobbyists? Finding someone who shares your passion can lead to hours of great conversation, and possibly a lifelong partner in crime.

5. What's your family life like?

If your roommate comes from a big family, they may have more experience with living around others. Also, understanding how close they are to their family will give you a heads up on how often you can expect their family to visit.

6. What are you most proud of?

Similar to passions, whatever your roommate is most proud of can show more about their personality. Winning a bodybuilding competition can indicate that they are very into fitness, while graduating with a Ph.D may show that education is one of the most important aspects in their life.

7. What is your biggest pet peeve?

This is a direct question that may avoid future fights. If you like to take long, hot showers but your potential roommate doesn’t enjoy paying for hot water, knowing up front can save you from a tons of fights.

8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Knowing your roommate’s future plans can be great for making your own. If they have plans to move to Africa in two years, you should know that before signing a 3-year lease.

9. What is one of your biggest fears?

Although this one could seem a little silly, knowing your roommate’s deepest fear is important in knowing how to treat them. For example, if your roommate hates being home alone, you may want to consider how your schedules may affect the relationship.

10. What do you do in your spare time?

Hobbies are always important. But if you work at 4am and the person in the room beside yours like to practice the drums all night, you may not be compatible.

11. Do you like to party or prefer to stay in?

If you prefer your privacy, it might be best to avoid bunking with someone who enjoys having people over. No one likes a buzzkill, after all.

12. Are you a cat person or a dog person?

This is one of the biggest questions to ask if you’re interested in having a pet. It’s important to respect your roommate’s wishes. Also, you may want to consider the risk having a pet may have on the apartment.

13. How would you spend a million dollars?

If your roommate is the generous type, they may consider buying their friends expensive gifts like cars and Apple products. But if your roommate is more invested in the future, only expect to see some of that cash during an emergency.

14. What type of music or movies do you like best?

Yet another classic compatibility question, finding out your roommate's interests is a great indicator on how well you may get along. Nothing beats going to a concert together or grabbing dinner at a place your both enjoy.

15. Would you describe yourself as messy or clean?

If you take pride in a clean home, hearing someone describe themself as messy should send up red flags. Make sure you both have clear expectations of just how clean the house needs to be.

16. Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Knowing when your roommate will be most active may help you decide if your schedules will mesh well together. It may not be in either of your interests if one person is up blending smoothies while the other is sleeping after a 10 hour shift.

17. Have you ever lived with a roommate before?

One of the biggest issues many roomates face is inexperience. Those who have never lived in a shared space may have a hard time adjusting to the shared lifestyle, so having patience is important.

18. Did you have any preferred decorating schemes?

Getting a roommate is just one part of moving into a new home - you also have to decorate it. This will help you get some insights on whether or not you and your potential new roommate have the same vision of your living space.

19. Who is your closest friend and why?

Another personal question, hearing about what your new bunkmate values in a friend will help you solidify a new relationship. Also, you can see how easily it is to snag the title!

20. How do you feel about sharing?

Finding a new roommate can be hard, but that doesn't mean it can’t be fun. Take some time to meet your new lifelong friend over dinner, a cup of coffee, or a fun night out. Before you know it, you’ll be happy choosing new home decor and tagging each other religiously on social media.