Finding a great roommate with whom you can share an apartment and still remain sane can be a major deal-breaker.
Give some thought to the issues raised below and you'll be prepared to take the leap.
First, keep in mind that there is a big difference between sharing a bedroom and sharing an apartment.
Don't share a bedroom unless you have to.
One of the big advantages of apartment living versus dorm living is having more personal space.
If you are sharing an apartment with both men and women, having more than one bathroom can also be a big deal.
Sharing a bathroom with a same-sex roommate is usually easier than sharing with the opposite sex.
Decide if you want to have one roommate or several.
There are advantages each way.
Having a single roommate is less noise and mess, but you may also get on each other's nerves a bit more.
Having multiple roommates can be more fun, but they also have friends that may come over from time to time and the numbers can really add up.
You may like your roommates fine but discover that you do not like all of their friends.
Some basic questions to consider when looking for a roommate include: Do they go to bed and get up at approximately the same time as you? If not, are you a heavy enough sleeper to sleep through it all? Do your work and school schedules coordinate reasonably well? Do they like to keep the apartment hot or cold? Are they neat or sloppy? Do they talk a lot or keep to themselves? What kind of music do they like and at what volume? How much TV do they watch? Are you OK with boyfriends or girlfriends staying over? Most issues can be worked out if you've both got some basic decency and respect for others.
Look out for serious issues like a predilection for illegal activities.
If you don't feel safe or question the person's honesty, definitely look elsewhere for a roommate.