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This is part four of a five-part series on solving all-too-common roommate issues that arise when you move into your first apartment after graduation (click here for part one, part two and part three).

The fourth common roommate problem to tackle is the topic of: differing lifestyles. Even if you’ve known your soon-to-be roommate for years and your friendships run deep, if you’re about to move in with them, chances are you’re about to discover some things you didn’t know about them. If you’ve never met your roommate before: you’re definitely in for a surprise. She’s a partier, You’re more “chill”; He’s really into music, You’re really into sports; She likes to go to bed early, You like to stay up late… Anyway, you get the point. While these differences might have been easy to overlook while you were just friends, when you move in together, there’s a good chance they’ll get in the way.

photo credit: Lush.i.ous

So, what do you do? Respect and tolerance are of the biggest importance here. Remember, you’re roommates but no one ever said you had to be best friends. Many people actually enjoy living with someone different from them because you learn so much.

photo credit: Travis Seitler

Everyone has likes and dislikes, just as everyone has expectations of their roommates. It all comes down to being respectful - if there is something your roommate does that really bothers you, bring it up. Just be sure to address the issue sooner rather than later.Stay tuned tomorrow for the final installment of the “Solving Common Roommate Problems” series.

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