Living with strangers can be a challenging but rewarding experience.The pros of having strangers as roommates include: University of Alberta student sharing viewpoint on living with strangers vs.friends.

New social connections: This introduces you to new peers allowing you to make new social connections, especially if you're new to the city.This can be particularly valuable for those who are new to an area or looking to expand their social circle.

Clear boundaries: Living with strangers can help establish clear boundaries between your personal and social life.You're able to create a schedule that allows you to spend time with your roommates while also making time for yourself as a result.

Equal distribution of responsibilities: Living with students you don't know allows equal distribution of responsibilities to occur.Because you don't know each other, there will be no pre-existing patterns of behavior and roles.This means everyone can set new norms and expectations and create rules for how household tasks will be divided evenly.

Opportunity for personal growth: Living with students or peers who aren't your friends can provide an opportunity for personal growth.You'll learn new skills, explore different perspectives, and develop your communication and conflict resolution skills.Growth of character will come as you step out of your comfort zone and meet new people along your student renting journey.

The cons of having strangers as roommates include: University of Alberta students sharing their experience about living off-campus with strangers.

Potential safety concerns: You might worry about theft, damage to your belongings, or safety issues that you might not have had with friends.

Different living habits: Having unknown living habits can be challenging to navigate.You might have different expectations around cleanliness, noise levels, or social activities.

Questionable social compatibility: You don't know each other's personality, interests or habits yet and so there's a chance that you two may not be compatible socially.

No familiarity of each other: Living with strangers means that you don't have the built-in familiarity or trust that you would have with friends.This means it may take longer to establish trust and build a living environment that's easygoing.

Overall: Living with friends can feel like the most accessible choice, but living with strangers can create a more respectful relationship between roommates.The goal is to shape your living situation around open communication, respect, and a willingness to compromise and adapt to your new environment...