Apartment Living...Roommates or no roommates, that is the question

Looking for a new apartment in Boston and wondering if you should go at it alone or with roommate[s]?

Here's a breakdown of what your thought process should entail, and when one is better than the other.

Reasons to have a roommate (or multiple roommates)

1. To save money

In an uncertain economy and job market, the only thing that is certain is that you should protect your wallet. Having roommate[s] will allow you to save money on your rent since prices don't go up too much by number of bedrooms so if you go for a 2 bedroom over a 1 there's a high likelihood that you will spend less per person. You will also save on utilities, groceries and furniture/appliance buying which can amount to some serious savings.

2. For convenience

Having a roommate adds convenience. If you work on different schedules, a roommate can feed your pet or water the plants when you're not around. If you go out of town, your roommate can check the mail for you.

3. For companionship

If you're close with your roommate[s] you will have someone to talk to and share your day with and spend weekend nights out together. Even if you're not close you can still have the comfort of people around you for those lonely nights in the Boston winters.

Reasons Not to have a roommate

1. Privacy

If you are studying or doing work from home it's likely that your roommate[s] can get in the way. You will obviously have more time to yourself and ease of doing what you want, when you want by living alone compared to with other people.

2. Avoid roommate problems

Almost every roommate situation I've ever seen has endured some type of argument or problem in their time living together. If you're the type that cannot confront your roommate about problems then you may end up bottling up the issues. For instance, your roommate doesn't put their dishes in the dishwasher and you always end up doing it for them. This is all too common in roommate situations that one roommate tends to do more of the chores than the other. You can only avoid this by living alone or by confronting your roommate[s].