Remix roomies live it in

When Priya (Anvesha), Sakshi Talwar (Vrinda) and Surili Joseph (Maria Priya) moved from their respective homes in Yari Road, Four Bungalows and Vashi to share a two-bedroom flat in Malad, little did they know that the time and money-saving arrangement would result in a deep bond of friendship.

"We chat on the sets and at home; people on the sets wonder why we don't get bored of each other," says Surili. Almost strangers in the beginning, the trio now share food, hobbies, and even clothes.

"We fit into each other's clothes easily since we are the same size," reveals Sakshi. The spunky threesome tell you how to choose and live with a roomie, without getting into each other's hair.

1. Find the right apartment
You never know where the perfect lead will come from, but people are often your best source. So, tell everyone you know that you are looking for a suitable apartment. It might take longer than you think, so start looking well before you leave home.

2. Hunt for the apt roomie
Will you accept a roommate who smokes, has a girlfriend/boyfriend, or pets? Choose a morning person or a night owl depending on your work hours and when you usually get home. Screen potential roommates on the phone. If you can tell right away that someone won't work out, don't waste your time meeting him or her face-to-face. Ask for references from landlords and friends.

3. Avoid great expectations
Don't expect your new roommate to be your new best friend. While the two of you may become good friends, it is not a prerequisite for sharing an apartment.

4. Be prepared to compromise
Sharing an apartment or house with someone else usually requires some adjustment. Chances are you can no longer have your friends over all night, every night, watch any show you want on TV or leave the dishes dirty.

5. Tidy does the trick
It is important to find a roommate who has similar ideas of tidiness. Though you do not need to be equally neat or messy, it helps if the two of you are within range of each other.

6. Money matters
Find someone you can discuss finances with. Since you will be splitting the bills on electricity, gas, cable, Internet and furniture, it is important that you can candidly discuss your concerns over the huge telephone bill or whether paying for premium cable channels is worth the cost.

7. Discuss who you want over
Discuss how often you like having people over, including how many at a time (three parties in a week or two lunches?) and for how long (you or your roommate invite out-of-town friends to spend the night). If either of you dislikes having people over all the time or does not want a stranger sleeping on the couch, it is good to know this beforehand.

8. Bedtime stories
Discuss when you go to bed and how sound a sleeper you are. Imagine this scenario: You go to bed early during the week, but your roommate always has five people over who talk loudly, late into the night. Or that you stay out late often and watch TV before going to bed, but your roommate always asks you to turn it down.

9. Compatibility is the key
Friends don't always make the best roommates. You see your friends on a limited basis so you don't have to deal with messiness or obsessive neatness. This will change once you become roommates and see each other every day. So, be honest about your lifestyle preferences.

10. Trust your instinct
Don't try to convince yourself that you will be able to change yourself; instead change the roommate or grow to like the roommate. The last thing you want is to see a person you detest, at home, day after day.