7 Tips for Moving in with a Roommate in the Los Angeles Area
Whether you’re moving in with a significant other, friend, or acquaintance, there are plenty of ways to make sure that the moving process goes smoothly. When we live with someone, we really get to know the person—which, like most things, comes with the good and bad. Preparing and having the right conversations with your future roommate before moving day can save a lot of hassle in the future and help make sure there’s more good than bad once you’ve moved in with them.
1. What Each Person is Bringing
Talking to your new roommate about what items you’re bringing to your new home versus what they will be bringing will save you broth time, money, and space. There’s no need to have two microwaves, so determining who is bringing what will ensure you have no unneeded duplicates. A great way to do this is to create an excel document or a moving checklist. That way, each person can write what they are bringing come moving day which can also help determine what will need to be bought.
2. Pets
Depending on how well you know the person you’re moving in with, you’ll know whether they have a pet or not. Some people may be leaving their pet with their parents, which will likely be the case if you’re moving into a college dorm. In most other cases, pet owners will be bringing their furry friend with them when they move. So, if you’re the one bringing your pet, make sure your potential roommate is okay with this before you agree on moving in with them. In the case that your future roommate has dog or cat allergies, be sure to discuss this as well prior to moving in so that accommodations can be made as necessary. If neither of you have a pet but want one, getting a pet together can be a great opportunity to bond. There are many places you can go to find your new furry friend, including petfinder.com, NKLA Pet Adoption Service, West Los Angeles Animal Shelter, Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, and more.
3. Friends, Significant Others, and Noise
Are you going to have friends over? Do you have a significant other? Talking to your roommate about your friends and your significant other before moving is the courteous thing to do. Before deciding whether you’re moving in with this person, ask them about their thoughts on having friends over as well as the types of activities that will be going on in your shared space — will they be okay with having parties or having friends over every weekend? Are they comfortable with loud music? How much quiet do they need during the week and weekend? Having communication about this topic beforehand will save a lot of trouble in the future, for your roommate as well as yourself. This tip is less pertinent to friends or couples moving in together, but still important to go over briefly.
4. Bills—Who’s Paying What?
These conversations can be hard; however, they need to be done. Talking to your roommate about how much rent and utilities they’re paying is important so there is no miscommunication about money down the road. Additionally, talking about food and what food is shared and what is not is important, too. Some roommates buy groceries together and share everything, while other roommates just eat what they bought individually. Figure out your roommate’s dietary restrictions, as well as tell them your own. Sometimes, if you or your roommate have dietary restrictions, it’s best to just buy your own groceries. Determine what option is best for you and your roommate.
5. Cleaning
Are you messy? Organized? Kind of both? Talking to your roommate about your cleaning habits will help avoid confrontations later on about messiness. It’s a good idea to create a list of duties to do throughout the week, so each roommate is doing their part when it comes to cleaning. How comprehensive you want this list is up to you—you can have a couple of chore on the list, like taking out the trash and doing the dishes, or ten chores on the list split between the two of you. Talk to your roommate about cleaning and how they would prefer to handle it.
6. Moving and Storage Companies
Moving, though a fun time, can be a stressful time as well. Hiring a reliable, Los Angeles moving company will ensure that your move is as hassle-free as possible, so you can focus on your new home, apartment, or dorm in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, or anywhere else in the Greater Los Angeles area. Making sure to read reviews, getting free quotes, and visiting the storage facilities in person are great ways to make sure that you are getting quality and affordable Los Angeles movers. Here at Pink Transfer Moving & Storage, we are small, family-owned movers based out of Pasadena, CA that serve the greater Los Angeles area. With our free quotes and great reviews, you can be confident that our Pasadena movers will do a quality job at a cheap price.
7. Enjoy Your New Home!
Moving can be a busy time, especially when you’re moving to the Los Angeles area. However, once you’re all moved in, don’t forget to have fun. Whether you’ve been a Los Angeles resident for years or you’re new to the area, there are plenty of things you can do to unwind after your busy move. There is an array of places to hike or go outdoors, even though you’re in proximity to a large city. Runyan Canyon, Angeles National Forest, and San Gabriel Mountains are great places to go if you need a break from busy city life. There are plenty of beaches to visit, including Santa Monica Beach and Huntington Beach. Additionally, Disneyland, the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory are great places to go to explore.
