Thursday, July 15, 2010

Roommates

WANTED: A quiet senior-citizen roommate, good cook, likes to clean house, do repairs, run errands, walk the dog and pay a lot of rent to me!
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In these tough economic times, many BOOMERS are looking for ways to cut their monthly expenses, so ads like the above are becoming more commonplace in senior community newsletters and on roommate websites.

It could be tough finding an agreeable roommate because other than spouses, most of us haven't roomed with anyone since our college days. And let's face it.......as we age, we definitely become more set in our ways.

If you decide taking in a roommate is the panacea for your monthly financial shortfall, then it's critical to set guidelines upfront or you could end up in a situation like the "Odd Couple".
Some basic topics that should be covered in writing are:

1. Defined quiet time, such as 10 pm to 7 am.

2. Night owl versus a morning person - how will you accommodate each other?

3. House temperature – hot or cold?

4. Kitchen privileges --Who cooks? Who pays for the food?

5. What does the rent cover?

6. Garage space?

7. Dinner and/or overnight guests?
The last might be the most difficult. Sure, it was fine when we were young and your roommate had her boyfriend spend the night.
But, seriously.......at this age would you really want to see some strange old geezer in his underwear sitting at your kitchen table with your morning newspaper, drinking your coffee? Not me!

But if you decide that a roommate is the way to go......then the website http://www.roommates.com/
can help you whether you're looking for a roommate or want to rent a room in someone else's home.

3 comments:

Pooch said...

Just discovered your blog and enjoy your can-do approach to life! DH and I retired early and live in NE CO just along I76 from you! I'll certainly be a regular visitor here. Congrats on your blogger award!

:)

Thomas C B Chua said...

Interesting ideas. Tks 4 sharing. It is indeed hard to accommodate as we age. The ides of having a room mate can be threatening !

Anonymous said...

Did not find UR story helpful @ all. How many seniors will be able to retire on $850 or less without a shared housing situation? This is the new fact of America dearie - it's dead broke & seniors will soon be living in the streets like veterans already are.