'If someone tells you they had 10 crazy roommates [...] they are the crazy roommate': 30+ red flags to watch out for when choosing who to live with

Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor

Oct 21, 2023 4:00 PM EDT

Finding the right roommate is just like finding the right apartment: sure, desperate times call for desperate measures, but you cannot compromise too much, or else you'll face the consequences. At the end of the day, a bad roommate can ruin a great apartment, whereas a great roommate can at the very least improve the experience of living in a bad apartment. At least the two of you are getting along as you suffer through it! If the two of you do not get along, it doesn't matter if you have a washer and dryer in the unit. No apartment perks will make your living situation worth it.

These folks shared their lists of red flags when looking for new roommates via this r/AskReddit thread. If you're someone who tends to have trouble holding other people accountable, it's worth it to keep these responses almost like a checklist to be sure you're able to catch these signs well in advance. You shouldn't give people the benefit of the doubt when you're choosing whether or not you'll be able to share space together. Keep scrolling below for the full list. For more content like this, check out this compilation of messed up scams that have been normalized in the workplace.