Advice, renting.... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Thor · 07-11-2009, 01:44 AM

So I sold my house, have fully downsized since I'm going back to school for at least 4yrs.

Now at this point I'm thinking, ideally I'd like to just rent and live by myself while in school. But budget wise, having a roomate sounds like a good idea.

Question I have is, is it hard to find a good roomate (stranger) and should I just find a place for say 1100 a month and live on my own (within my budget) instead.

I have 4 years ahead, and I want to live a 'frugal' life since I'm going to devote myself fulltime to this degree, but I'm thinking a roomate is a good way to at least free up some monthly income for hookers and blow.

Any advice is much appreciated, mid 30's and creepy looking for roomate!

Draug · 07-11-2009, 01:54 AM

Personally, I would try and find one roomate at a similar life space as you. Then, rent a house that is designed such that you each have plenty of private spaces.

EDBTZ12 · 07-11-2009, 02:15 AM

which area are you looking for? I have a 2 bedroom suite with a full bath and obv a kitchen for 750

and another one room for rent for 500

also 2 other basements 900 each 3 bedrooms each in the Forest Lawn area though

hmmhmmcamo · 07-11-2009, 02:23 AM

mid 30's...get your own place

Rerun · 07-11-2009, 06:31 AM

Get your own place... much less aggravation.

wooohooo · 07-11-2009, 08:35 AM

Well if you can stay in your place now and find a decent roomate it is by far worth any minor hassles you have. It will pay for pretty much anything and as a student myself, I lived with a roomate for 2 years and off for the last year. Get that extra $900... unless they're a pot smoker and partyer. Just make sure you know who you are going to be living with.

And on the long term when you're done school, you won't need to look for a place to buy! On top of that, you will probably make money from the housing value.

MRCboicgy · 07-11-2009, 10:53 AM

Try for your own place, but if you can find the ideal roomie, then go for it. I lucked out as I found a great roomie who's a bit older than I am, but enjoys many of the same things I do (but he's an oilers fan). Overall I enjoy it because I kinda look up to him.

Wookie · 07-11-2009, 02:49 PM

I'm looking for one. Are you cool? lol

Jayems · 07-11-2009, 02:52 PM

My brother owns a condo in stabmonton and is up at the UofA. He rents out a room to help keep costs down but has found himself counting down the days until his roomie moves back out east. Nice guy, but just can't deal with his living habits any longer. Also, he's French.

Sylvanfan · 07-11-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookie

I'm looking for one. Are you cool? lol

Just think Thor, you might do better with Wookies rebounds than you could on your own! Take him up on this offer for at least 3 months.

I'm a mid 30's married guy who had to put up a co-worker in my house for about a month and a half here. I can't wait until I'm no longer obligated to do this and get back that space. The older you get, the more likely you are to think....I'm too old to put up with someone else's crap. If you have the means, you'll probably get better value out of not having to have a room mate than the extra spending cash you save by going with a room mate.

OilersBaby · 07-11-2009, 03:13 PM

I would rent to save money for other stuff - better Flames seats, hookers and blow, or whatever else you desire. I definitely wouldnt share a room with someone but as long as you have enough space, a roommate could be cool. I would put an ad on Craiglist or whatever you guys use in Alberta to find roommates and then interview people. Ask questions and find out as much information as you can - ie if they like to bring a lot of people over and have parties, or if they play an instrument (which could get annoying depending on what it is) or anything else that you would want to know. Get a 6 month lease, see how it goes..you could always get your own place later but at least you dont have a long term lease in this case so you're not "stuck". And if it goes well, then thats awesome!

schteve_d · 07-11-2009, 03:44 PM

I'd wait until school starts, then try to find someone in a similar situation as yourself so that you are more likely to be on the same page regarding party time, time to study, time to sleep, etc.

If you can afford it though and don't have to, I would always prefer to live alone, at least vs. roommates.

4X4 · 07-11-2009, 03:46 PM

Just build a grow op in the spare room to subsidize.

Dan02 · 07-11-2009, 03:48 PM

Invariably 2 things happen when you room with someone, either you become good friends, or you hate each others guts, rarely is there room for middle ground. Other then that I'd say go for it, having roomates can be alot of fun.

FireFly · 07-11-2009, 03:49 PM

You really do have to be careful. My first roomie and I met about two weeks before I moved in. My current roomie and I knew each other for a year first. I liked the first one better.

stang · 07-11-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcboicgy

try for your own place, but if you can find the ideal roomie, then go for it. I lucked out as i found a great roomie who's a bit older than i am, but enjoys many of the same things i do (but he's an oilers fan). Overall i enjoy it because i kinda look up to him.

Edit: this auto caps thing sucks for smiles.

4X4 · 07-11-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang

Edit: this auto caps thing sucks for smiles.

And here I was going to make a gay joke with the exact same excerpt.

mikey_the_redneck · 07-11-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

So I sold my house, have fully downsized since I'm going back to school for at least 4yrs.

Now at this point I'm thinking, ideally I'd like to just rent and live by myself while in school. But budget wise, having a roomate sounds like a good idea.

Question I have is, is it hard to find a good roomate (stranger) and should I just find a place for say 1100 a month and live on my own (within my budget) instead.

I have 4 years ahead, and I want to live a 'frugal' life since I'm going to devote myself fulltime to this degree, but I'm thinking a roomate is a good way to at least free up some monthly income for hookers and blow.

Any advice is much appreciated, mid 30's and creepy looking for roomate!

Just go to the University and make a roommate rental posting for foreign students.
Try to get an asian. They are quiet, respectful, and they usually have appropriate finances for school.

MRCboicgy · 07-11-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

And here I was going to make a gay joke with the exact same excerpt.

there's about a dozen jokes in there, but I'm being actually serious

Antithesis · 07-11-2009, 05:24 PM

Man, I can't imagine having roommates at this point in my life. I'd almost rather take a hit with the quality of apartment/place I'm living in to avoid them, if need be. When I was at the U of A, I rented an apartment that was just a studio to keep costs down. Might be a possibility for you, might not. You probably have more stuff that could fit such a place, but if 4X4's garage is still available you could rent it to keep your extra stuff in!