Meals
Sharing meals adds a level of complexity around the Home-mate relationship that you may or may not want. Meals require planning, shopping, money, cooking, and time. They can add immeasurably to the Home-mate relationship and provide convenience of having someone else to cook some of your meals, or they can become a source of conflict. The easiest choice is to keep food and meals separate, but that may not be the right choice for you.
Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Contributors: Annamarie Pluhar
Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Access to Public Transportation
Is public transportation essential to you? Or useful? If so, how far are you willing to walk to the bus or train? Is this the same distance you are willing to walk even in bad inclement weather? How often does the bus or train need to run for your needs? Are weekdays only, okay? Or do you want access on weekends late at night?
Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Contributors: Annamarie Pluhar
Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Neatness
Closely related, but not the same, is the issue of neatness. A space that isn't neat is cluttered. Clutter comes in all forms, from old newspapers and mail left on surfaces to a piece of clothing left where it was taken off. Again what do you like, what can't you live with? What can you maintain?
Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Contributors: Annamarie Pluhar
Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates