And the Roomie Award Goes To...
When you're moving in with a roommate for the first time, you probably already have a list in mind of what kind of person you hope they'll be: clean, reliable, and understands boundaries. Sometimes you're lucky; other times you get the tail end of the spectrum. From the slob to the generous sharer, here are the 10 worst kinds of roommates no one wants to have—and the 10 best.
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1. The Slob
No one wants to live with a person who doesn't know how to—or won't—clean up after themselves. This includes leaving dirty plates everywhere, dirty laundry everywhere, and whose room smells like a dumpster. You'll probably have to pinch your nose every time you come home.
2. The Music Major
Whether or not you like musicians and whether or not your roommate is a good musician, sometimes, it's better not to have someone strumming a guitar every second of the day. Sure, the first time they play "Wonderwall" might be impressive, but not if they play it on constant repeat.
3. The Loud Snorer
Unless you want to wear earplugs every single night, you probably don't want a roommate who's a loud snorer. And we don't mean just the occasional elephant honk, but the constant helicopter noise that appears every night, so loud it can be heard through the walls.
4. The One Who Always Comes Back Late
This might not be a problem if you're both not always home. But if you're someone who likes to call it a night early, only to have the front door slamming open and waking you up in the wee hours of the morning, it's not the best feeling. It's even worse if your roommate likes to bring the party home.
5. The Mean, Rude, and Inconsiderate One
What's more inconsiderate than leaving your dirty plates everywhere or coming home late every night and making a ruckus? Well, maybe just being plain rude. This is the kind of roommate who's just unpleasant to be around and has the worst personality and attitude known to mankind.
6. The One Who Always Brings People Over
It's one thing if your roommate brings home their partner, but it's an entirely different thing if they're someone who brings home someone new every night. How can you feel safe knowing everywhere besides your room might be potentially tainted? How can you sleep at night when your roommate is set on waking up the entire neighborhood?
7. The Kleptomaniac
No one wants a roommate who nabs your belongings without your consent. It might be a pair of socks or a shirt one day, and then a month later you realize half your closet is gone. Maybe it's fine as long as none of your valuables are gone, but having a thief as a roommate is still a cause for concern.
8. The One Who Never Talks
If you're an introvert as well, maybe this is the perfect roommate for you: both of you locked in your rooms, never talking or seeing each other unless absolutely necessary. If you're an extrovert, though, or just someone who likes to get to know new people, having a super quiet roommate who never talks might not be a good match.
9. The Gamer
We're not saying all gamers make horrible roommates, but if they're the kind that's a mix of a couch potato, rude, inconsiderate, and likes to blast their volume while pulling all-nighters, then that's definitely no one's first choice. Worse is if they never clean up after themselves, either.
10. The Exhibitionist
Having a roommate who never likes to put on clothes is also one you'd probably rather never live with (unless you both like to lounge naked). How else are you going to feel comfortable bringing people over or going home without being greeted by things you do not wish to see?
But that's enough about the bad roommates—let's jump into the 10 best kinds of roommates everyone wants to live with.
1. The Responsible One
Everyone wants a responsible roommate. The one who keeps on top of bills, who cleans up after themselves, who does their share of chores, who's reliable. They're the kind who respects your boundaries and knows when to leave you alone, but are also available when you need an ear.
2. The Chef
If you don't like cooking, getting a roommate who knows how to do just that is like hitting the jackpot. Sure, maybe not all their creations will be Michelin-star or even regular home cook quality, but at least they'll take the initiative to cook something up—and know how to.
3. The Listener
Sometimes, we just need someone who will offer their ear and hear us pour our hearts out. Having a roommate who listens and gives you their shoulder when you're down means you won't feel as lonely. They might even be great at giving advice and input, the perfect consoler.
4. The Bob-the-Builder
Don't we all want a handy roommate, the one who knows how to fix everything or fashion something great out of nothing? Not saying that that's all they'll be good for, but it'll help to have someone who knows why the WiFi is acting up, why the sink is clogged, why the toilet is flushing weirdly—and knows how to fix these issues, too.
5. The Good Pet Owner
If you don't already own a pet, the next best thing is having a roommate who does. Of course, not all pet owners are amazing and responsible, but the ones who do fit into that category are keepers. That means you'll get to be a pet caretaker by proxy, without the full responsibilities.
6. The Clean Freak
We don't mean the clean freak roommates who point out every speck of dust and insist you keep everything spotless every time you so much as touch something. Instead, we're talking about the kind of roommates who keep their space tidy and clean up after themselves without needing you to tell them to do it.
7. The Social Butterfly
The social butterfly roommate isn't the one who brings the party home, but the person who's easy to talk to, get along with, and always tries to keep you in the loop. They also won't push (or judge) if you're more on the quieter side and would rather stay at home, but the invite stands if you want to take them up on it.
8. The Generous Sharer
What's the polar opposite of a stingy roommate who never shares anything? A generous roommate who doesn't mind treating you to food, buying groceries, or getting you a cup of Joe while on their morning run. That being said, you shouldn't take this kind of roommate for granted, so make sure you also give the same effort back.
9. The Traveler
Having a roommate who's always out of town and still pays their share of the bills on time is an absolute luxury. That means you get to have all the space to yourself without worrying about your roommate not keeping their end of the deal. Bonus is if they always come back with souvenirs after every trip.
10. The Best Friend
Hands down, this is the best kind of roommate: the one who becomes your new best friend. This is the one who you immediately get along with, can tell everything to, and one you feel blessed to have met. After a while, they won't feel like a roommate—it'll just feel like you moved in with a lifelong pal.
