This section combines the challenges of searching for a new roommate along with the challenges of finding the perfect neighbourhood to be your new home.

While looking for a roommate, the following should be considered:

• Determine what qualities you are looking for in a roommate. Should they be male of female, a smoker or a non-smoker, a student or a young professional?
• Tell your friends, relatives and co-workers that you are searching for a roommate. They might be able to suggest possible candidates for you to consider.
• Outline the terms and conditions of sharing the apartment and place ads in local papers or on community bulletin boards. Some internet sites also provide roommate finding services either for free or for a nominal fee.
• Applicants should be properly screened and agree to your terms and conditions before your decision is completed.

A safe neighbourhood should be your first priority when searching for a new home. The following tips can assist with this important factor.

• Compare home prices in the area with neighbouring communities. Higher house prices indicate a quality neighbourhood.
• Crime Mapping. Conduct an online search or crime mapping of the area or check with local police authorities on recent crimes committed in the area.
• Drive by the area both in daylight and after dark in order to experience the neighbourhood prior to your decision to move there.
• Speak with local business owners or residents about the area. This will provide a good indication of what type of neighbourhood you are considering.

When one moves to a new locality it becomes very important a factor to know that what sort of company one decides for oneself. Thus, Following points should be kept in mind :

As stated earlier, if taken positively and prudently, the whole moving to a different place thing can prove to be very beneficial. Following are some tips:

• Roommate's/Neighbourhood Background or History: It is very important to know the background of the people. This is the part that many of us avoid and keep discussing only monetary matters. Truth is, people around us affect our personality and it becomes paramount to know how well is the roommate or locality you are going to live with. The evaluation can be made on education of the people, their current professions etc.

  In present world scenario, where terrorism is on such an extreme infinity this factor certainly becomes unavoidable and prior:

  1. One should check about the locality with the police department of the area. The crime rate etc can be discussed.
  2. A drive or two during day as well as night will help you to have a better picture of the are and let you know how comfortable you will be there.
  3. Talking to residents who have lived for a while in the area is again immensely fruitful.
• Standard of People: One must also ensure the standard of people that live there because it is the people
  around ultimately who can help you in the day to day matters which will only be possible if they are open to help.
• Other Factors: The neighborhood should not be very noisy or congested. Only when one is in a company that one likes can a person have a conducive to working or studying in a peaceful manner.

A good natured and good humored person would always respect your space. Similarly, you have to make sure that you do not eat into the space of the other person. Habits vary because people are brought up in different environments, cultures and circumstances. These habits, formed in due course of time, are different and also difficult to change within a short span of time. It is this respect to habits that has to be inculcated.

Adjusting to a new roommate and neighbourhood may take a little time and patience. Communicate any concerns with your new roommate as soon as possible and be open to their concerns as well. You may develop a lasting friendship or decide that a new roommate search is in your very near future.

Communication is a two way process that involves not only speaking but also listening. One of the most effective tools, communication makes a sea change and helps in developing the concept of understanding as well as respecting personalities different from your own.

• Conversations make a huge difference in life and have the ability to change perceptions. Along with adjusting it is also important to communicate. This communication can be about the differences two people have, talking some habit out that you don’t like of the person or even trying to find out common things so as to engage in it and be closer. But again, communication doesn’t mean quarrels. Sometimes, you have to be assertive and not aggressive. There is a thin line of difference between the above said qualities that has to be watched out for.
• A greater part of communication also involves being a “good listener”. Things could be as small as a particular cell phone habit of a person that may disturb either of you but then you cannot help it until an effective communication is done and then acted upon. Also being a shoulder in times of need is necessary.

Overall, it is a self exploration and times like these are invariably the best times one can ever have. Looking back at these moments will only make you feel happier. If at all, even taking all cautious steps, do not prove to be well , be open to change and move to a different place. Anything that goes bad is always a life time learning experience.