Do you love where you live?
Or is your choice of home seriously cramped by the size of your budget?
Big city dreams are often quashed by big city apartment price tags.
Financial relief can come in the form of a group house.
But before you begin recounting tales of sitcom-level nightmare roommates, consider the positives: More space.
Meals that beat microwave noodle cups by a mile.
If those advantages sound tempting, group living might be a good option for you.
We asked two group-living pros how they get by for less, but end up feeling richer for it.
That data pipe can be important, especially if youre living far away from family and friends.
We all saved a ton and got to know each other better by trying new recipes.
7 Ways to Make Money if You Hate People
Do you avoid people too?
Enough small talk.Here are some waysto earn extra cash, without all of the social stuff.
Ready to organize your first group house and save big?
The two women advise taking these five crucial steps.
Establish a Lifestyle Goal
Identify your ideal group-living situation and the aspects that are important to your lifestyle.
You need an identity that sells the house beyond justcheap rent, Choate said.
Did you know?
But what about the rest of the bedrooms?
Ask friends for referrals or use neighborhood email lists to find roommates that match the goals youve created.
Who were Choates perfect roommates for her recent house?
Doesnt sound too hard to find people to fit that bill, does it?
Keep an open mind when house-hunting, andconsider less-popular neighborhoods.
The best neighborhoods for group houses are often those that most people dont immediately think of, Choate said.
Set Some Ground Rules
Gather everyone around to set some guidelines.
It really depends on your comfort level.
Its a big responsibility, Fifield said.
verify you set a precedent on when utilities will be due and agree on how they should be paid.
Fifield stressed the importance of keeping all the details in writing.
She also advised maintaining a healthy relationship with your landlord.
Work Together Then Relax!
By sharing basic pantry items among all roommates, you could expect a major savings on your grocery bill.
Be sure to set clear rules about who should purchase shared grocery items and how often.
Then, take time to enjoy each others company.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Ask one of these companies to help…
