Pros and Cons of Being Roommates With Your Sibling
Living on your own can be quite expensive, so a lot of young adults share an apartment with one or several roommates to cut the expenses. If you have a sibling, sharing an apartment with them may seem like a good idea. However, being roommates with your brother or sister has its pros and cons.Pro. You know each other. Roommates don't have to be friends, but they should get along or at least tolerate each other. Moving in with your sibling allows to skip the awkward “getting-to-know-each-other” phase. You've known each other most of your lives and you are well aware of each other's habits and quirks. Sometimes roommates turn out to be not who we thought they were, but if you live with your sibling, you already know who they are.
Con. You may not get along. Not all siblings get along well. Some cannot get over childhood fights or sibling rivalry, and some just have too different personalities, values, beliefs and opinions. You may genuinely love each other, but sometimes you have to love people from a distance. So if you don't really get along with your sibling, sharing an apartment with them is probably a bad idea.
Pro. You are probably about the same age. Most siblings are only a few years apart, and the age gap seems to matter less when they become adults. Living with someone who is about the same age increases the chances that you will have comparable expectations, priorities and incomes.
Con. You may not be on the same page. Being close in age doesn't necessarily equal being at the same stage in your life. For example, your younger brother is still a student who wants to party all the time, and you've just graduated from college and are looking for your first steady job. It may be difficult to live together if you want different things.
Pro. You have cohabitation experience. You lived with your sister or brother as you grew up together, so you know what to expect. You are used to dividing chores and know each others living habits. The bottom line is, living with a family member is usually more comfortable than sharing your apartment with a stranger.
Con. Money issues. Living with a roommate means sharing rent and splitting bills. If you are not related to your roommate, asking them to find a new place when they stop paying rent and begin to take advantage of you is relatively easy. However, if it is your sibling, cutting them out of your live is much harder.
Pro. They are family. You know that you can trust your sibling and rely on them in difficult situations. You also can discuss family concerns and issues with them. Besides, your parents will be able to visit your both at the same time, which will save them time and money.
Con. You can get stuck in the past. For most young people, moving out of their parents' house means meeting new people and experiencing new things. Moving in with your sibling can prevent you from making new friends because your brother or sister is your comfort zone which is very hard to leave.