What to Look for in a College Roommate (That Actually Matters)

Not All Roommates Are Created Equal—Here’s How to Spot the Right One

Finding a college roommate is weird. You’re basically choosing a stranger to share your closet-sized dorm or off-campus apartment with for months. And yeah, you could cross your fingers and hope for the best—but that rarely works out.

If you want to avoid passive-aggressive sticky notes and roommate group chat drama, here’s what you should actually be looking for in a college roommate (and what doesn’t really matter).

1. Compatible Daily Routines

Forget whether they like the same music or watch the same shows. What really matters?

• When they wake up
• When they go to bed
• Whether they need total silence to study or can sleep through EDM

If your schedules clash, even a nice roommate can become frustrating fast.

2. Cleanliness Expectations

This one is huge. Are they a deep-clean-once-a-week type, or more “eh, it’s just a sock on the floor”?

Be honest about what level of mess you can tolerate—and find someone who matches that energy.

3. Communication Style

Can they speak up when something’s bothering them? Will they listen when something’s bothering you? You don’t need a therapist, but you do need someone who won’t ghost you when it’s time to discuss who’s buying toilet paper next.

4. Guests, Noise, and Privacy

If you’re not cool with overnight guests or surprise study groups in the kitchen, that’s something to talk about upfront. Everyone has different boundaries—just make sure yours align.

5. Reliability and Rent

This isn’t about judging someone’s financial situation—it’s about making sure you’re living with someone who respects shared responsibilities. Rent, bills, chores—it all needs to be split clearly.

Apps like BeRoomie help make this way easier by matching you with people who are upfront about their lifestyle and budget from the start.

🔗 Use BeRoomie to find someone who gets it

Bonus: Shared Interests Help—But They’re Not Everything

Yeah, it’s cool if you both love Marvel movies or thrift shopping. But don’t let that distract you from the bigger stuff—like being able to co-exist in peace. You can bond over common interests after you figure out if you’re going to argue over dish duty.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a roommate isn’t about finding a clone of yourself—it’s about finding someone whose lifestyle complements yours enough that you can share space without losing your mind.

Figure out what actually matters to you, ask the right questions, and use tools like BeRoomie to match with someone on the same wavelength. Because a good roommate doesn’t just split rent—they help make college feel a little more like home.