FlatmateClick

Living in a basement is definitively associated with numerous inconveniences. Yet, after having spent almost three years in such a location with another person, I managed to find one feature distinguishing basement life from other apartments- the window. A view from the narrow gap which is positioned merely few inches above the pavement provides remarkable experience of learning the city life.

The view my window offers may not appear intensively interesting at first, as, for the most part, it consists of legs moving in opposite directions and sometimes all over. However, after several hours of observation, it is possible to notice that the pace of people is at variance not only according to hour of the day, but also shifts throughout the week and year. And the pattern of how the people pass by embodies the city life rhythm.

As the day moves forward, walk-ways are congested with citizens hastening to their workplaces. There are however individuals bursting with the energy and sense of fulfilling their ambitions. As time passes many of the pedestrians become children and students. They toddle without hustle, still with a dose of excitement. Later on, in the midday hours the crowd dilutes, as if preparing for the rush of the afternoon. The pace of people returning home indicates their fatigue and hope for finding time to find peace at home. Late evening is definitively the time of the young people. Roaming teenagers and students are filled with jaunty and light thoughts, and the positive energy surrounding them spreads among all the surrounding. Later it becomes the more chaotic and disordered the moves of the striders become. Finally, as the dawn draws closer streets become deserted, save for the service workers, and whole cycle is ready to restart.

Another, dissimilarity in people’s way of walking can be observed within the shift of the seasons. People tend to saunter much slower in summer, due to the high hot temperatures, influence on our moods and our energy . A perceptible amount of caution characterizes feelings of pedestrians in winter, since the pavements become treacherous and dangerous places when covered with even the thinnest layer of ice. Spring and autumn, consume of-walking among the puddles and avoiding being mud showered by the passing-by vehicles.

I had never realized how much one can be derived from observing people walking by my flat, until I have moved into the horrid basement. These, and the possibility to gain knowledge of the city I live in, make me not regret the choice of apartment I have undertaken as a whole.

Do your best to get along with your flatmate. If personalities conflict often and no peace can be found make plans to move. Do not threaten your flatmate about leaving. In the mean and between time keep your calm and respect and notify your flatmate a month before your move date. Any negative actions toward your flatmate will cause stress and conflict.

I am a natural in being nice and polite. I’ve been tempted but I have a high tolerance for ignorance. I babysat my younger cousins since I was eleven. I guess my early childhood experience monitoring children taught me patience is the key to get what you want. Patience involves respect and positive thinking.

Here are some examples to learn how to be a pleasant flatmate:

1. If your flatmate is reading a book and you want to listen to music. Wait for your roommate to read his/her book before you play music. Or listen to your music through headphones. Whomever does an activity first has the right of way to rock on. Once you disturb an existing activity you are deliberately violating your flatmate personal time. Personal time is rare in shared quarters hence, allow your flatmate to enjoy their privacy.
2. Sleep. Snore people. Try your best to control your snoring if you’ve been told you have a disturbing snore. Sleep is essential for productivity, happiness, comfort, and stress-free. If you attend a party and come home late at night. Respect your roommates by making the least amount of noise as possible. Do not turn on the lights or change the environment of the house. Courtesy is key.
3. Respect your roommate belongings. Do not eat, try on, or share your roommate things because you feel they won’t mind. If your roommate ask for certain courtesies such as not sitting on their bed with your street clothes. Respect it and follow their rules. In return you would want your rules to be upheld.
4. Clean your area. A messy room can negatively affect attitudes, feelings, thinking, and relationships. A clean environment offers tranquility. Avoid unnecessary infestation. Wash your dishes after use. Clean the toilet, sink, and tub every two weeks. Do not allow your apartment to be corroded with dust, filth, and funk. You, your roommate nor guest will feel comfortable in a messy home.
5. Express yourself without anger.Share your feelings and needs to your roommate in a monotone voice. Don’t scream or test your flatmate with rudeness.  Anger is not necessary. Sometimes your anger can cause you to get into a fight and lose. If you win you may go to jail or be penalized for beating up the flatmate. Be mindful of who you challenge. People die everyday for underestimating people. Everyone is not level headed.
6. Guest. Let your flatmate know when you will have company especially if you invite a guest over late at night. Make sure your guest does not interfere with your flatmate belongings. Accommodate your  guest in your section of your home. Most importantly clean up after your guest if they make a mess.
7. Be free from Fear. Don’t allow your flatmate to intimidate you. You must stand up for yourself but be smart. You cannot disrespect to gain respect. 

Overall, do to others as you would like them to do unto you. Do your best to get along and most likely you will have a flatmate that will do the same. If not move on and continue to be a positive person.

By Krysteena Corbett-Terrell

NW 1- (Camden Town/ Regents Park)

Expensive housing. Residents are professional wealthy people. Great bus and rail transportation. Street cafes and trendy shopping stores. Camden Town is the shopping district for clothes, thrift items and antique furniture. Dozens of entertainment venues; jazz clubs, pubs, bars, street cafes, and restaurants. Residents are highly active. Tennis court facilities and soccer fields. Regents Park is popular for bike and walk trails.

NW 2- (Cricklewood, Dollis Hill Neasden)

Mostly bus transportation than rail. Unique shopping places that is cheap but rundown.  Inexpensive cafés and restaurant. Diverse community. Affordable housing. Cricklewood Broadway is the party district. Several Irish pubs. Different ethnic restaurants such as Indian, Chinese, African and Turkish. Gladstone Park has huge tennis courts and nice slopes for golf. Artistic culture. Huge fitness center on Cricket Broadway. Cricket Broadway is a shopping strip for clothes, groceries, furniture, etc.

NW 3- (Hampstead Belsize Park)

High quality housing and high end restaurants. Public transportation is decent. Bus routes run faster and easy to access. Very expensive housing. Quiet community. Residents are writers, producers, artists and  intellectuals. Jewish community. Trendy restaurants. Classical concerts are held outside. Lakes are used for bathing. Hamstead High St is a high end clothing shopping strip. Finchely Rd. is best for grocery shopping.

NW 4- (Hendon)

Middles class community. Largely white and Jewish community. Quiet and clean neighborhoods. Huge shopping mall called Brent Cross Shopping Centre. Rail service is more accessible than the bus. Area is similar to a rural living. Kosher restaurants and cinemas. There are not many bars. Golf courses, tennis courts and several parks that have walk and bike trails alongside Dollis Brook.

NW  5- (Kentish Town Gospel Oak)

Great rail transportation. Affordable housing. Population consist of low-income families. Young artistic and bohemian people. Mixed community. Several bars and restaurants all near or in Camden Town. Tennis courts, running tracks, market carts, several small shops and delis.

NW 6- (Kentish Town Gospel Oak)

Middle class young professionals. Irish community. Easily accessible railroad stations. High Asian population. Movie theaters, bars and restaurants. Irish bars. Kilburn Grange Park and Queens Park have long and beautiful walk and bike trails. All shopping areas are on Finchley Rd close to rail station.

NW 7- (Mill Hill Village)

Great rail service. White and Jewish community. Expensive living. NO hangout spots. A few restaurants and bars. Several golf courses. Mill Hill Broadway strip has high end clothing and eateries. Brent Cross mall is near.

NW 8- (St. John Wood)

Some rail and bus transportation. Middle class professionals. Working class residents. Mostly Asian and black. Cheap restaurants and bars. Church Rd and St John’s Wood High Street are the best shopping strips for clothing and groceries. Antique shops.

NW 9- (Kingsbury Colindale)

Excellent rail transportation. White, Jewish and Asian community. Roe Green park is very popular for bike trails. Brent Cross Shopping Centre is the main shopping area. No night spots. Housing cost is mixed.

NW 10- (Willesden Harlesden Neasden)

Diverse neighborhood.  Black and Asian population. West Indian and Irish stores and eatery shops. Family oriented community. Several bars and cheap restaurants and cafes. Willesden Sports Center is a popular swimming centre. Roundwood Park has a huge open space for soccer and tennis.  Grand Union Canal have long and beautiful walk and bike trails. Cinema complex and community centers. Shopping centers are large but rundown. Excellent bus and rail transportation.  Housing cost varies.

Hello Flat share seeker, landlord, flatmate!

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Flatshareclick Team