Living in Philadelphia has many advantages. The cuisine is second to none, and there's a long list of activities for residents to enjoy. The city is simply bristling with culture and energy.
Moreover, Philadelphia offers residents many
excellent places to live throughout the city.
To the above point, many residents living across The City Of Brotherly Love are renters. Some
307,740 Philadelphia households
are renter-occupied. That's almost half of the homes in Philly!
Are you considering renting in Philadelphia? If so, you might be contemplating sharing your space with a roommate.
Below, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of living with a roommate in Philadelphia.
Here’s a list of advantages associated with having a roommate (or roommates) in Philadelphia:
According to RentCafe, the average cost of rent in Philly is just shy of $1,900 per month.
Even removing rent from the equation, the cost of living for a lone Philly resident is $1,158.40 per month.
Undoubtedly, Philadelphia is much less expensive than living somewhere like New York. It offers the big-city experience at a reduced cost versus other metropolises. Still, Philadelphia remains a big city and can still dwindle your bank account if you don’t take measures to protect your savings.
Living with a roommate or roommates can help split the cost of rent. Not only will you keep a few extra dollars in your pocket, but you'll also increase the size of your living space.
While your landlord will be tasked with specific components of managing your property, renting still comes with its share of chores.
Cleaning a living space on your own can become daunting. Moreover, there can be added impetus to let things slide and get out of control when you’re living alone. Conversely, living with a roommate can keep you more accountable for fostering a clean and hygienic living space. Plus, it’s always easier when you can split the cleaning load.
Your choice of roommates isn’t limited to one group of people. Yes, you can place an ad in the paper to attract candidates (or respond to an ad). You can conduct or partake in interviews with prospective roomies.
Alternatively, you can share your living space with someone you already know. This could be a romantic partner, family member, or long-time friend.
Your choice depends on your circumstances and preferences. Sometimes, it’s better to room with random people to avoid complications with friends or significant others. Others prefer residing with people they know more intimately because of the inherent trust factor.
Some people enjoy solitude, but many can find living alone to be an isolating experience. With roommates, you won’t suffer from feeling alone. Someone will always be there to hang out and share experiences with. You could watch your favorite shows together or play video/board games. Or, you’ll have someone to share a nightly cocktail with after a hard day’s work.
Plus, there’s the potential to have a pal to explore the city with. As we said in the intro, there’s lots to do in Philly. The ideal roommate could mean you have a proverbial partner in crime with which to enjoy legendary nights on the town. What more can you ask for?
You can save on more than rent when living with a roommate in Philly.
For instance, you can split furniture, kitchenware, and other household necessities like groceries, internet, and cable. Finding any way to relieve your financial burdens while bolstering your quality of life is always a win.
Here’s a list of disadvantages associated with having a roommate (or roommates) in Philadelphia:
You’ll hold up your end of the bargain (barring extenuating circumstances) regarding rent and utilities. However, you can’t predict other people's actions–especially if you don’t know your roommate all that well. Even close friends or spouses can run into trouble and not be able to pony up when the time comes.
Suddenly, you’ll find yourself on the hook for your roommate’s missed payments. This can lead to tricky scenarios where you loan them money–nobody wants that.
A preventative measure is assessing your current roommate's work history. This process will be more straightforward with friends or spouses because you’ll know if they quit or get fired frequently. Strangers will require more due diligence (e.g., receiving references from past landlords).
Humanity is unpredictable. We expect everyone to want to live in a clean space–but reality can tell a different story. Many people are more than happy to make a mess and never clean it up. Before you know it, your apartment/rental unit will be overrun by dirty dishes and filthy laundry.
Note that any messy friend you might share an apartment with will continue to be messy when you live with them. This will be harder to detect with strangers, thus making it one of the steeper challenges you face when having roommates.
This can happen with friends and strangers.
You could be best friends with someone until they become your roommate. Then, suddenly, you realize that your lifestyles and habits don’t mesh, and the whole scenario becomes disastrous.
Or, a stranger can be charming when you interview them. Their references might all check out. Even still, you may not jive with them once you actually become roommates. These personality clashes happen–it doesn’t mean either of you are bad people. Relationships are complex and are exponentially so when you live with someone you barely know.
Note: Avoid romantic entanglements with your roommate unless you’re moving in with someone who’s already a significant other.
Want to learn more about renting in Philly?
Check out GM Holdings’ blog–a go-to resource for living in The City Of Brotherly Love.
