WWMD: Living Situation?

[Brock Landers]

Alright so I just got an email from one of my good friends from high school living in the midwest, and he is moving back to Boston in the middle of July. He is looking to live in the Back Bay or Financial District of Boston- pretty expensive, and wants to live with me. He is a manager at P&G and can afford to live wherever the hell he wants. Im a grad student still- so my place in a rented apt in the 'burbs near school does just fine.

He defintely wants to live with another person, and doesnt want to live with one of our not-so-easy-to-live-with friends, so he is saying I can pay just 800 bucks a month rent and he will swing the rest (prob around 1500 a month). Oh and we'll split the cable bill.

I wrote him an email before he filled me in on this just explaining my situation, that Id live with him wherever but I explained not really being able to swing a huge rent and me finishing up school, but it seems like he is totally willing to pay a huge piece of the rent. I dont want him to have to pay so much and me only pay a fraction, basically.

Would any of you others feel kinda the same? I mean, Ill probably move in with him, but its kinda weighing on me and I feel bad the kid is biting off such a big piece while Im just basically freeloading a sweet place. What should I say to him? Same thing as Ive just said here? Kinda feels a bit better to type this stuff out too.

[iceman]

...he is saying I can pay just 800 bucks a month rent and he will swing the rest...What should I say to him?

"Thanks!"

[willywhit]

great way to ruin a friendship.
kinda like getting married,a great way to ruin a good relationship...

I met you, Brock, you seem like a chill guy

[DJSapp]

If your friend isn't one to let such things bother him, go for it. I'm on the other side of this equation. I live with a friend/coworker, and I'm putting up 2/3 of the rent. Doesn't bother me at all.

[tex1230]

Will you have to "pay" in other ways?
der poopenhausen?

[focus]

You have to get to a place where you're OK with it. If you can't, and it's sort of always in the back of your mind, there's the chance you'll be super-sensitive and shit will eventually blow up.

I don't think you're taking advantage of anybody, here.... he approached you, after all.

[CUBUCK]

I think to make it work you would have to approach it as you living at his apartment. More like he is renting you the room rather than you guys going into something together.

I don't know either of you guys so maybe you both are laid back enough where neither of you care. Just looking in the mirror if I was paying multiples of what my roommate was I would want to take a bit more ownership of the place.

[pappag]

Like someone said, HE approached you. So clearly, he would rather live with you them someone else. Also, he is willing to pay 2/3 of the rent because to him, that extra cost equates to having an awesome roommate and someone he has known forever. Seems to him, that's worth the few extra hundred bucks a month.

[willywhit]

house warming party at brock's place

[BeanDip4All]

He defintely wants to live with another person

why?? if he can afford it, why not live alone? (no offense, brock, i am sure you are a delight to cohabitate with)

i dont get you people and your desire to have roomates. (shudder)

[Brock Landers]

Thanks guys, I feel a bit better about the move I guess- it was his idea anyway, and we are both really laid back so I dont think itll become a big deal at all.

And I have no idea why he doesnt want his own place either.

[willywhit]

why?? if he can afford it, why not live alone? (no offense, brock, i am sure you are a delight to cohabitate with)

i dont get you people and your desire to have roomates. (shudder)

yeah, roomies are the BEST !

[pappag]

And I have no idea why he doesnt want his own place either.

Hookers and blow ain't just the same when you have no one to share it with.

[twodogs]

Somerville.

[grrrr]

why?? if he can afford it, why not live alone? (no offense, brock, i am sure you are a delight to cohabitate with)

i dont get you people and your desire to have roomates. (shudder)

I dunno, my roomie is cute, pleasant to be around, 20 years younger than me...and she keeps me company at night and makes me very very happy.

[Telenater]

I dunno, my roomie is cute, pleasant to be around, 20 years younger than me...and she keeps me company at night and makes me very very happy.

Not all landlords allow pets.....

I'd come down on the other side from many here. I can't stand the feeling of being a freeloader (largely because I know that I do it unintentionally at times). If you're the type of person that wouldn't be able to deal with that, avoid it. Also, make sure that expectations for chores are understood before hand. I can easily see an arrangement like that become a "I pay more, you do more" situation.

[The Dad]

There may be ways to make it somewhat more equitable. E.g., if you get a 2br/2ba, and there's a master with ensuite bath and a second bedroom that has to use the hall bath, I'm guessing you're taking the second.

[Tippster]

I lived with my best friend for a year after I moved back to DC, was poor, and just getting started in my career. Same setup you have been offered - we split some of the bills (phone/cable) he paid for Gas & electric (since he'd have to anyway) and I gave him $500/month cash to use as he saw fit. In exchange i got to live with my best friend in a beautiful house in a cool neighborhood that I normally would not have been able to afford.

It rocked.

[Hutch]

You are friends, you go into this thing eyes wide open, I don't see the problem. I am a known freeloader, though, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[Brock Landers]

I lived with my best friend for a year after I moved back to DC, was poor, and just getting started in my career. Same setup you have been offered - we split some of the bills (phone/cable) he paid for Gas & electric (since he'd have to anyway) and I gave him $500/month cash to use as he saw fit. In exchange i got to live with my best friend in a beautiful house in a cool neighborhood that I normally would not have been able to afford.

It rocked.

AWESOME, same situation Im in.
I just emailed him and he emailed me back- he doesnt care at all, P&G is paying for part of our rent too. The kid wants 3 things- rooftop pool, parking spot(s) and great city views. High fucking roller. Thanks everyone, Im pretty stok(k)ed about the move now.

[The AD]

why?? if he can afford it, why not live alone?

Maybe he can't live alone AND live in the area he wants to in the apartment he wants.

It sounds like a good situation to me. It's probably a little more difficult to find a roommate in a higher priced apartment. You'd probably be helping him out. I'd say do it if you can get over your "freeloader" complex

[willywhit]

AWESOME, same situation Im in.
I just emailed him and he emailed me back- he doesnt care at all, P&G is paying for part of our rent too. The kid wants 3 things- rooftop pool, parking spot(s) and great city views. High fucking roller. Thanks everyone, Im pretty stok(k)ed about the move now.

Brock, you know we're coming over to christian the place after all this sage advice.I promise not to wear my speedo at the rooftop pool.

And if ya come to Hyannis, I've got quite a unique roomie situation right now. It's all good ,tho. Bring down some BC coeds. Hookers, blow, whatever

[Brock Landers]

And if ya come to Hyannis, I've got quite a unique roomie situation right now. It's all good ,tho. Bring down some BC coeds. Hookers, blow, whatever

Hah Im from the Cape and my parents still live there- Ill be there all summer. NEED to do some kiteboarding. You dont live on Fresh Holes Rd do you?

[willywhit]

Hah Im from the Cape and my parents still live there- Ill be there all summer. NEED to do some kiteboarding. You dont live on Fresh Holes Rd do you?

nah, I try stay outta "brown town", brah.

Ocean St, Kalmus Beach is da hood.
http://www.yachtsmancondo.com/

we'll be hangin' here tonight, if yer "on Cape"
http://www.capecodbeer.com/cape_cod_beer_home.htm
brew club meeting,good times

[P_McPoser]

I'm with bean dip. If it doesn't have four legs, it's not going to be my roomate. fuck roomates.