The Roommate Tax

Living with roommates allows me to afford rent, but it has extra costs that I didn’t anticipate. The extra time spent cleaning, replenishing supplies, the strain of sharing a small space, and the stress of never truly being by myself. I wish I could afford to live alone but paying the roommate tax seems cheaper. Or perhaps it’s more expensive than I have the personal means for.

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We all wish to afford autonomy

Oct 17, 2020 at 6:48am

Like most of us, we get stuck in this reluctant arrangement out of desperation. My roommate is a peaceful soul. But... they've never lifted the finger once to clean. I mean e v e r. Never offered, never considered it which, as you know in every normal roommate situation, roommates agree to share responsibility because that's fair and normal. You don't stick it to one person, that's just shitty. They’ve never bought cleaning supplies or even offered, the amount they've given was only after I debated it and the pittance given never covers the actual cost. I don't think they even know how to clean. They were poorly raised, if at all. They also just don't get how it costs me extra to make up for their "lifestyle". Not just messy, smelly, too. Their filth actually stinks up my things, so I have to spend extra on cleaning to prevent my things from stinking as badly. I wonder whether they were raised in a trash dumpster, actually, because they live like they've always lived in one. If I could give a tour, you'd think I was in a third world country. I pray for a lottery win just to have the means to escape. The day I am blessed with the means for my own space I will be so happy, and I doubt they’ll ever get another decent roommate now that covid19 is making people rethink hygiene practices. This passive-aggressive selfishness will eventually lead them towards homelessness, although they could just move to any neighborhood dumpster and not notice the difference as long as there's a blanket and cheap wifi.

Never roommate

Oct 17, 2020 at 8:23am

I happily paid my rent on a small studio inside a character house, free of roommates and their drama. The LAST thing I want to do when I come home from work is deal with someone else's mess, moods, presence, sounds, smells. Maybe look for a smaller space if possible, to afford rent solo? Worth it. My brother lives in a basement suite in Surrey for $700/month and is blissed out in his own space. While this may be far if you work in Vancouver, know that lower rent can be found in the Lower Mainland.

Worth every cent

Oct 17, 2020 at 8:47am

I haven't lived with anyone for a decade and wouldn't trade it for any number of dollars. Only problem has been when I get too sick to walk my dog

I know its a cliche

Oct 17, 2020 at 10:08am

But it often helps me when i think about how many people in this world would love to be in the position we so often gripe about,

@Never roommate

Oct 17, 2020 at 4:29pm

Your brother obviously rented his place before the massive rent increases that happened thanks to the housing crisis. (Also thanks to the liberals for ignoring it for their entire tenure). Good luck getting any remotely decent place to live, even in the worst parts of the Lower Mainland, for $700. In fact, if you look at the options on CL for rentals in BC anywhere other than the interior or even farther north, you’ll find that rents are almost as high there. Thanks to Covid, many people have moved out of the city because they can work remotely, meaning that housing costs in outlying areas haven’t reduced much at all.

If you work full time

Oct 20, 2020 at 1:12am

you should be able to afford to rent a place of your own. Fuck man, what has the world come to when cant afford to live?

10 8Rating: +2

OP

Oct 20, 2020 at 10:05pm

Full time work does not an affordable quality of place guarantee.

5 4Rating: +1

Anonymous

Oct 21, 2020 at 11:12pm

Rent is outrageous in Vancouver..
Work two jobs to pay for a crappy room in a building that has asbestos or other hazardous issues going on.
So many older buidings in Vancouver that need attention.
Not heathy and no one wants to complain because where else can you live.
You dont want to have whole buildings condemned. Have many people loose their apt's.
We all need to call a health inspector to check on these serious issues.
Thats what needs to happen.
But will it ?

5 5Rating: 0

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