Neighbor dislikes that I have a roommate,

[Josh]

I and my wife lives in a four bedroom house. We have no children. After buying the house with 20% down and had some home improvements done we are broke. My wife thought that we would have a roommate to get some needed rainy day cash. I rented out one room for $600/month to a college student. Last week, my neighbor found out about the roommate and laughed at me. His attitude was very condescending. I am a little bit shocked by his reaction. We have a 2000 sq ft home for three people so it is not too crowded. Why do you think he acted that way? Do you get annoyed if your neighbors have roommates?

[EconProf]

Ask him if he would rather have a huge extended family living there, with four cars parked in the street.

[NotCranky]

Don’t worry about what he thinks because it’s none of his business.

[barnaby33]

Or worry but know that its as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.
Josh

[earlyretirement]

Josh,

I agree with the others. Don’t even worry about what this ignorant neighbor thinks. I think it makes great sense if you don’t mind having someone live with you.

My neighbor many years ago was fairly well to do and did the same thing. Not only for the income but she traveled quite a bit and she always loved that someone trustworthy was there to watch the house.

She did set a few ground rules. She only rented to University students or recent university graduates and only rented to females.

I was actually single at the time so I loved it as she always seemed to find the cutest girls! Ha, ha. Seriously though, it worked out great for her. I think she was charging something like $800 a month and this was back about ten years ago.

She always rented to really great students and the students got to live in a great area in an amazing house. My neighbor always traveled with the extra money.

Her kids were all in college, she was divorced and I think part of it was she was lonely as well so the company was great. But I always thought it was smart.

Don’t waste your time worrying what other people think about the situation. Definitely it’s a good plan.

Me personally I could never do it. Even when I was single and living alone and had a big house I always liked my privacy but I think it’s a great option for people that have the space and need the income just as long as you are carefully screening the people that will live with you and you also set some guidelines and rules for them.

[jpinpb]

I think you should have a wild party to welcome your new tenant and give your neighbor something to think about!

Okay. J/K. I think it’s a smart move and your neighbor is an idiot. Don’t let it get to you. You may end up getting the last laugh if this economy keeps going south.

[UCGal]

I had roommates in my house in Philly and my house in WA state. Helped make the house affordable so I could afford to travel and have fun.

3 former neighbors in my current hood have rented rooms to students. It’s fine and makes financial sense.

Josh, your neibir is either an idiot or jealous of your cash stream.

[jpinpb]

[quote=UCGal]Josh, your neibir is either an idiot or jealous of your cash stream.[/quote]

Or anti-social. I became good friends w/some of my roommates. One came to my wedding. I don’t know why there would be such a stigma to renting a room to someone. People are so weird.

[Anonymous]

Maybe he’s upset that you didn’t choose the black guy.

http://piggington.com/am_i_a_racist

[EconProf]

We are likely to see a lot more roomate situations due to a confluence of events:
1. Ongoing recession
2. Overproduction of McMansions during the boom
3. Rising rents even as apt. construction is way down
Builders are already scaling back new house sizes as they try to match the new austerity tastes of today’s homebuyers.
Could the next response be houses with one first floor bedroom with its own entrance and large and private bathroom? This would enable the “roomate” and homeowner to have privacy and not even interact with each other, especially if the bedroom had a bar (wink, wink, kitchenette).

[UCGal]

[quote=jpinpb][quote=UCGal]Josh, your neibir is either an idiot or jealous of your cash stream.[/quote]

Or anti-social. I became good friends w/some of my roommates. One came to my wedding. I don’t know why there would be such a stigma to renting a room to someone. People are so weird.[/quote]

OK – I can spell… I swear I can. Damn the auto correct and virtual kepyad typing on my xoom.

neibir = neighbor.

(and auto correct HATES my younger son’s name. Very annoying.)

JP – I met one of your roommates. She was very nice.

[Anonymous]

You could mention that its a free country with a smile 🙂

[Ren]

I’m going with the “idiot” theory, and adding “snob” to it. I’m guessing he has a flashy car, too. Probably leased.

We have kids and like our privacy, or we would probably do it, too. $600/month is awesome passive income, and you get to supervise your tenant, unlike a rental property.

We do plan to take it to the next level when we buy/build our forever house – a casita with its own entrance, living area, and kitchen/laundry. The MIL will live there for a while, but once she’s gone, it will easily knock $1,400 off the mortgage every month.

[UCGal]

[quote=Ren]
We do plan to take it to the next level when we buy/build our forever house – a casita with its own entrance, living area, and kitchen/laundry. The MIL will live there for a while, but once she’s gone, it will easily knock $1,400 off the mortgage every month.[/quote]
That’s our plan for our casita once the in-laws aren’t using it anymore. Hopefully they’ll live long enough that our mortgage will be paid off – but it will be a nice income stream for our retirement.

[Josh]

Thanks. I don’t worry about it any more. I think my neighbor is a little pissed off b/c my tenant sometimes park in “his spot”. That is a parking spot right between my driveway and his driveway and he thinks that belongs to him. My tenant is a student who leaves the house at 7am and returns at 7 pm. she is very clean, quiet and most importantly doesn’t eat at home. Yes, $600 without tax is nice.

[Author]

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