Moving into an apartment share in Perth can feel like the start of an exciting new chapter. You picture yourself sipping coffee with your new roommates, laughing over inside jokes, and exploring the city together like a close-knit group of best friends. While that sounds amazing, reality often plays out a little differently. Shared living can be a fantastic experience, but expecting an instant bond with your roommates might set you up for disappointment.
Reality Check: Everyone Has Different Lives
Your new roommates might not be the built-in social circle you imagined. Some might have demanding jobs, different schedules, or existing friend groups they prefer to spend time with. You could be eager to hang out, but they might just want to unwind alone after work. And that’s okay! Just because you’re sharing an apartment doesn’t mean you have to do everything together. Friendships take time, and in some cases, your roommates may never become your closest friends—and that’s completely normal.
You Don’t Have to Be Besties to Get Along
Just because you and your roommates aren’t inseparable best friends doesn’t mean your apartment share won’t be a great experience. Respect, communication, and shared responsibilities matter far more than having deep conversations at midnight. You can have a perfectly enjoyable living situation with people you’re not super close to—as long as you all respect each other’s space, keep common areas clean, and pay the bills on time.
Let Friendships Develop Naturally
The best friendships happen organically, not overnight. Instead of expecting an instant connection, let relationships with your roommates develop at their own pace. A casual chat in the kitchen, helping each other out with small favors, or watching a movie together once in a while can slowly build a solid bond.
If you’re new to apartment sharing in Perth and hoping to expand your social circle, try making friends outside your apartment too! Join local groups, attend events, or explore the city—your roommates don’t have to be your only social connection.
Who Actually Does the Dishes?
Living in an apartment share in Perth can be a great way to save money and make new connections, but let’s be honest—there’s always that one question that can make or break a shared living situation: who actually does the dishes? You might think it’s a simple task, but in a shared apartment, it can turn into a never-ending mystery. Dirty plates appear out of nowhere, coffee mugs stack up, and suddenly, your kitchen looks like a disaster zone. So, how do you keep the sink from turning into a science experiment?
The “I’ll Do It Later” Syndrome
Every shared apartment has at least one roommate who swears they’ll do the dishes—just not right now. Maybe they had a long day, maybe they’re running late, or maybe they just believe in letting dishes “soak” for 24 hours. The problem? Later often turns into never. Suddenly, that single dirty plate turns into a mountain of unwashed dishes, and no one wants to be the first to break.
The Magic of a Cleaning Schedule
One of the best ways to avoid dish-related drama is to set clear expectations from day one. A simple weekly cleaning schedule can work wonders in making sure everyone does their fair share. Maybe you alternate dish duty, maybe you clean as you go, or maybe you agree to wash only what you use—whatever works best for your household. The key is making sure that no one ends up doing all the work while someone else gets away with just “forgetting.”
What If Someone Never Cleans Up?
Let’s be real—some people just won’t clean up after themselves, no matter how many gentle reminders (or passive-aggressive sticky notes) they receive. If you find yourself stuck with a roommate who refuses to do their part, it’s time for a household meeting. A calm, honest conversation can help avoid future resentment. And if that doesn’t work? Well, investing in paper plates might be cheaper than dealing with the stress.
Balancing Social & Private Time
Sharing an apartment in Perth can be a fantastic way to meet new people, save on rent, and enjoy a lively home environment. But after a long day, sometimes you just want to close your door and enjoy some peace and quiet. Finding the right balance between socializing and personal space is key to making shared living work without feeling overwhelmed or isolated.
You’re Not Required to Hang Out 24/7
Just because you share an apartment doesn’t mean you have to spend all your free time together. Maybe your roommates love weekly movie nights, but you’d rather unwind with a book or go for a solo walk. That’s completely okay! There’s a difference between being friendly and feeling obligated to join every social gathering.
Setting Boundaries Without Being Rude
It’s easy to assume that because you’re all living together, you should always be available for a chat. But everyone needs downtime. Maybe you’re working from home, studying for exams, or just want to binge-watch your favorite show without interruption.
Finding Social Moments That Feel Natural
If you want a healthy balance, look for low-effort ways to stay connected without feeling forced. Having a quick chat while making coffee, sharing leftovers from a new recipe, or watching an episode of something without committing to a full binge session are great ways to maintain social bonds.
Alone Time Makes Social Time Better
When you give yourself space to recharge, you’ll actually enjoy social moments more instead of feeling like they’re another task on your to-do list. Living in an apartment share in Perth should feel like home, not a non-stop social club. When you strike the right balance, you’ll appreciate both the quiet moments and the fun ones even more!
Handling Unexpected Challenges
Moving into an apartment share in Perth sounds like an exciting adventure—new roommates, new experiences, and a fresh start in a great city. But no matter how carefully you choose your living situation, unexpected challenges will pop up. Whether it’s a surprise rent increase, a roommate’s strange habits, or an air-conditioning war in the middle of summer, shared living requires a bit of flexibility, patience, and problem-solving.
When the Bills Suddenly Go Up
You’ve budgeted for rent, groceries, and utilities—then, out of nowhere, your electricity bill is double what you expected. What happened? Maybe someone’s been blasting the heater all night, or maybe the WiFi plan needs an upgrade. When shared expenses become an issue, it’s important to have an open conversation instead of just stewing in frustration.
Setting up a shared expense tracker (even a simple spreadsheet or an app like Splitwise) can make it easier to keep things fair. If one roommate is using way more electricity, it’s okay to bring it up and suggest ways to cut costs together—without turning it into a full-blown argument.
When Roommate Quirks Turn Into Annoyances
At first, your roommate’s habit of blasting music while cooking might seem harmless—even fun. But after the fifth time they’ve turned the kitchen into a nightclub while you’re on an important Zoom call, it’s not so cute anymore. Everyone has their little quirks, but when they start affecting your daily life, it’s time for a friendly chat.
Instead of bottling up frustration, try a direct but polite approach: “Hey, I love that you enjoy music while cooking, but could we keep it a little quieter in the mornings?” Most people don’t realize their habits are bothering anyone until it’s pointed out—and chances are, they’ll be happy to adjust.
When Someone Unexpectedly Moves Out
One day, everything’s normal. The next, your roommate drops a bombshell: they’re moving out next month, and suddenly you’re scrambling to cover rent. While it’s never ideal, it’s best to stay calm and look for solutions instead of panicking.
If you have a lease agreement, check the rules about finding a replacement tenant or ask your landlord about next steps. Sometimes, you’ll need to search for a new roommate quickly, which means brushing up on apartment share listings in Perth or spreading the word through friends and social media.
Adaptability Is Your Superpower
Shared living comes with surprises, but the best way to handle them is with a problem-solving mindset. Whether it’s a disagreement over cleaning or an unexpected financial hiccup, staying flexible and communicating openly will make everything easier. No apartment share is challenge-free, but if you roll with the punches, you’ll turn obstacles into learning experiences—and maybe even a few funny stories for later!
0 Comments