Is It Better to Room with Friends or Strangers in College?

Is It Better to Room with Friends or Strangers in College?

May 28 2025

Should You Live with Friends or Strangers in College?

Picking a roommate is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in college. Your living situation can shape your academic success, social life, and overall well-being. So what’s better: living with a close friend or taking a chance on someone new? Here’s a breakdown of both options to help you decide.

Rooming with Friends

Pros

  • Familiarity and Trust
    You already know each other, which usually makes communication easier and helps avoid misunderstandings.
  • Shared Habits and Interests
    From study sessions to weekend plans, friends often have similar routines and hobbies, which can make co-living more seamless.
  • Built-in Support System
    College can be overwhelming—having a friend around means emotional backup is never far away.

Cons

  • Risk to the Friendship
    Even strong friendships can suffer under the pressure of sharing a space. Different cleaning standards or schedules can lead to tension.
  • Limited Social Expansion
    Living with friends might make it harder to branch out and meet new people during college.

Rooming with Strangers

Pros

  • New Perspectives
    You might meet someone with a totally different background or lifestyle—opening your world and possibly forming a meaningful friendship.
  • Personal Growth
    Navigating boundaries, communication, and compromise are life skills you'll sharpen quickly with a new roommate.
  • Fresh Start
    With no expectations or history, you can set clear rules and create a balanced living dynamic from day one.

Cons

  • Uncertainty
    You won’t know their habits until you move in—things like messiness or noise tolerance can be tough to adjust to.
  • Takes Time to Build Trust
    It may take a while to feel comfortable and build the kind of support system a friend would naturally offer.

Final Thoughts

There’s no right or wrong answer. If you're looking for comfort and familiarity, a friend might be a good fit. But if you're open to new experiences and growth, living with a stranger can also be rewarding.

No matter what you choose, open communication, mutual respect, and clear expectations are the keys to a positive roommate experience.

Finding the perfect roommate can be challenging. BeRoomie makes this process easier by providing an intuitive, swipe-based platform that connects you with compatible roommates.

Key Features of BeRoomie

Our app streamlines the roommate-finding process with smart features designed to help you find your ideal roommate match quickly and efficiently.

  • Intuitive swipe interface for browsing rooms and potential roommates
  • Detailed profiles with photos and essential information
  • Built-in chat system for matched users
  • Smart filters for preferences and requirements
“BeRoomie transforms the roommate-finding process into something simple and enjoyable. It's like Tinder for roommates!”

With BeRoomie, you can easily create detailed profiles, set your preferences, and connect with potential roommates. Our platform ensures a safe and efficient way to find your next home or ideal roommate.

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