The magic number

Trying to decide how many roommates is the right amount? It’s a huge choice you’ll probably have to make at least once in your college career. The following viewpoints from three IU seniors in different living situations can help make your decision easier.

Hannah Jones
Roommates: 0

IDS Why did you decide to get a place for yourself?
JONES The last three years of college, I had bad experiences with roommates. First, I lived with Kasie (Kyle). We were friends, but we didn’t really live well together. The year after that, I lived with more of an acquaintance and then a subletter, and that just went straight to hell. I guess I was just tired of roommates letting me down, and I’d rather not have to worry about them anymore and just worry about myself.

IDS What specific problems did you encounter?
JONES Last year, getting rent on time from my roommates was a big deal. I would pay my half, and then they would say, “Oh, I’ll get it by the end of the week. Can you just pay it? I’ll pay you back.” Living with people who were financially irresponsible was not a very good decision.

IDS Besides avoiding financially irresponsible people, what are the biggest advantages to living by yourself?
JONES You get to watch whatever you want on TV anytime you want. You can make noise in the kitchen, in the living room, in the bedroom. You can do whatever you want because no one’s going to complain.

IDS: What advice would you give to someone wanting to live alone?
JONES: Make sure you still meet up with your friends and go out and do stuff. It’s really easy to turn into a homebody when you don’t have anybody else around to encourage you to go out.

Logan Ellowsky
Roommates: 2

IDS What made you decide to live with two roommates?
ELLOWSKY I think two’s the right amount. More people would be a lot more hectic, and I feel like it would be a lot more money involved. Living by yourself, it would be kind of depressing. I feel like you’d get a lot more work done, but you wouldn’t have anyone to talk to.

IDS Do you ever wish you had more or less roommates?
ELLOWSKY It would be more advantageous if you’re having a party or any kind of social gathering. Living alone would be nice to have your own bathroom. Sharing bathrooms can get a little annoying at times.

IDS  Any advice for anyone trying to decide on how many roommates to live with?
ELLOWSKY If you’re really looking into getting stuff done, I suggest you live with as few people as possible. If you just want to coast, living with more people would be awesome.

Jordan Ylauan
Roommates: 4

IDS Why did you decide to live with four other guys?
Ylauan One was money reasons. It’s a lot cheaper to split the cost of everything with five of us. There’s also always someone to hang out with. You’re never really bored. There’s always someone to play video games with, to watch TV with, to go eat with. So, it’s fun because there’s always people around.

IDS What are the disadvantages to having so many roommates?
Ylauan There’s always something to do, so you have to stay disciplined to get homework done. There’s always usually someone around your house, like other friends of people. You really have to stay on top of things. I really have to go to the library a lot to get anything done.

IDS Do you ever wish you lived with fewer people?
Ylauan Yeah. A lot of times dishes will pile up. There’s so much trash, and it won’t get taken out. It’s just such a pain. We only have two bathrooms, too, and a lot of times a lot of us are getting up at the same time.