Whether you want a roommate to make that luxury apartment suddenly affordable, or you simply love the idea of splitting the cooking and cleaning duties with someone, it's not always easy to find someone to live with.

Luckily, we've come up with some tips to help you find a great roommate -- whether you're a soon-to-be freshman at a local college or a young professional who's new to town.

Here's what we suggest doing:

1. Think about your must-haves

When you move in with someone, you've got to take the good with the bad, so think about the traits your roommate MUST have in order for you to maintain your sanity. For example, if you're a real neat-freak, and she doesn't care if there are dirty clothes tossed on the living room floor, it's never going to work. The Odd Couple may have been entertaining on TV, but it's no fun in real life!

2. Find out how individual you can be

Some apartment complexes will actually offer each person their own individual lease. That way, you're only responsible for your payment, and if your roommate falls behind on her payments, your credit and housing status won't be affected.

Or, if you want to make sure you won't be crammed into your new apartment like sardines, look for an apartment that only allows one person per bedroom. That way, your roommate won't be able to spring a "surprise" roommate on you after you move in!

3. Talk ahead of time

If your potential roommate isn't already a friend, take some time to get to know him/her before you commit to sharing an apartment. If it's not feasible to meet up in person, have a phone conversation. That way, you lessen the chance of being blindsided by someone you don't like on moving day.

4. Tap into the power of technology

In today's technology-driven world, it shouldn't come as any surprise that technology can help you find a great roommate! In fact, thanks to social media, you can find out all kinds of stuff about a potential roommate.

When you're apartment-hunting, things like amenities and security deposits are at the forefront of your mind.  But if you really want to pick the perfect Tri-state area apartment, you also need to think about online safety.

Why?

Because your important information can easily be stolen if you don't actively protect it!

For example, your Evansville, Newburgh, or Owensboro apartment complex may offer free WiFi down at the pool or inside the fitness center.  On the surface, this seems like a great amenity, right?  But in order to make sure it's truly as great as it sounds, you have to dig a little deeper.  Is this WiFi network public or secured?  If it's an open network, all of the information on your laptop or your smartphone is at risk every time you hop on the network.

Another online safety risk is the WiFi network in your specific apartment.  With so many people living next to, on top of, and below each other, everyone's WiFi network is going to be in range.  That means you have to take steps to protect yours.

How?

The easiest way is to make sure that your WiFi network is password-protected.  To make sure you're really secure, choose a password that's at least 10 characters, and use a combination of numbers, symbols, upper-, and lowercase letters.

And, of course, you shouldn't make a habit of handing out your password.  After all, you worked so hard to think of a creative one!  But if your roommate has a giant group of people over and gives everyone the password, you can change it after they all leave.

Another way to create more safety online is to have your router installed near walls, instead of doors and windows.  Walls are thick enough to partially block your signal -- meaning that your WiFi won't travel as far as it would near a window or thin door.  That's importance because the farther your WiFi signal travels, the more people that can try to access it.

But your WiFi network isn't the only way that you could be at risk.  Another big part of your online safety is your social networks.

When you first arrive, you'll probably want to connect with as many people on social media as you can.  After all, you're here to meet new people, right?!  But just remember that everything you post on those social sites will be seen by every random person you follow, friend, or tag.  So, when your post says, "So excited to go on vacation for a week!!!" everyone will know that your apartment will be empty.  That's music to a burglar's ears!

Bottom line -- establish at least a few privacy settings on social media.  Combine them with the added security you can set up on your WiFi network, and you're well on your way to a safer online experience!

Remember that security deposit you handed over when you got the keys to your new apartment?  If you want to get it back when you move out, you've got to take care of the place.  Your best bet?  To make cleaning a priority, instead of trying to deal with a major mess on move-out day.

Your apartment may not have to pass a white glove test, but there are things you can do consistently to keep it neat and tidy.  Just follow these tips to make it happen:

-  Do the little stuff every day

There are things that you can do every day to keep your apartment clean, and they only take a couple of seconds!  For example, when you finish eating dinner, wash the plate or rinse it off and stick it in the dishwasher.  It might be tempting to let a few dishes pile up, but scraping days-old food off of a stinky plate is no fun.

Another easy task that makes a big difference?  Wiping down your kitchen counters and table.  After all, having crumbs or old food smears won't impress that cutie you have coming over for a study date.

Also, be sure to take out your garbage on a regular basis.  The last thing you need is to share your apartment with a colony of bugs (or worse!).

-  Split up the big stuff

You and your roommate both have an obligation to keep your apartment clean, so divide up the big chores -- like vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning the bathrooms.  Trying to tackle the entire apartment all by yourself can be overwhelming, but if you know you've got help, it's not nearly as bad.  Just be sure to hold each other accountable for your chores!

-  Have a plan for your laundry

The minute you moved into your apartment, you lost the privilege of having Mom do your laundry!  Letting dirty clothes pile up everywhere can turn your apartment into a stinky disaster area.  No one has fun doing laundry, but it's one of those things that you can't avoid 

Enjoying the Outdoors -- Yes, It's Possible to Do at Your Apartment Community!

Just because you live in a bustling town doesn't mean that you have to cut off all ties with Mother Nature.  As much as you may love your apartment's air conditioned fitness center, the peace and quiet in the business center, or the piping hot coffee down in the café, you'll also love spending time in the great outdoors.

No matter which apartment community you call home, here are 4 tips to help you enjoy the outdoors:

1.  Harness the full power of your balcony

If you've just plopped a couple of old camping chairs out there, you're missing a great opportunity to relax outside.  You don't have to spend a fortune on patio furniture, but a couple of weather-resistant chairs (and even a small table if you have room for it) can turn your balcony into a peaceful place to enjoy a glass of wine or read the latest chapter of your psychology textbook.

To really kick the outdoor living up a notch, invest in a few potted plants.  Or better yet, create a small container garden so that you can grow your own fruits, vegetables, or herbs.  Even a small balcony has room for a pot of fresh basil!

Don't have a patio?  No problem! As long as you've got a sunny windowsill you can grow your own plants and herbs.

2.  Commit to eating one meal outside each week

Whether you want to have some friends over for a small cookout down at the community grill, or you simply want to enjoy your take-out on your patio, eating outside will give you a nice change of pace from all of the classes, papers, and labs you're working on all day long.

3.  Squeeze in time at sunrise or sunset

Love getting up early?  Set your alarm clock a little earlier than normal so that you can grab a cup of coffee and head down to the pool deck to watch the sunrise.

Can't function properly before 10 AM?  Grab some sparkling water and head downstairs to watch the sun set.  Either way, this is a great chance to snag some quiet solitude in the midst of your busy life.

4.  Play some sports

Many of the apartment communities have basketball courts and volleyball courts, so grab a ball and some friends and enjoy!

If Fido is your favorite roommate, live in one of the several apartment complexes that are pet friendly. That way, you and your best friend can soak up the fresh air together!

If you're searching for an apartment in Evansville or Owensboro, odds are you're a college student.  There are plenty of great apartment communities geared towards students in Evansville and Owensboro, but if you want the very best one for your wants and needs, follow these 4 tips:

1.  Figure out how you're going to divide everything up

If you're planning on living with a couple of roommates, are you all going to split the costs evenly?  Or, would you feel more comfortable living in an apartment that has a separate lease for each one of you?

2.  Pick a distance you're comfortable with

The great thing about Evansville and Owensboro is that none of the apartment communities are too far away from campus.  Still, though, you need to think about how you're going to get to school every morning. If you want to ride your bike to campus, you'll probably want an apartment that's closer.  But if you simply plan on hopping on the bus, it doesn't matter how far away you are, as long as your apartment complex is on the shuttle route. Or, if you're thinking about living in an apartment that's closer to one side of campus, make sure it's a side you plan on spending time at.

3.  Make a list of non-negotiable amenities

The apartment communities around the different campuses offer virtually every amenity you can think of, but some of them will fit better into your lifestyle than others.

For example, if you love burning off school-related stress at the gym, look for an apartment community that has a state-of-the-art fitness center that's open 24/7.  Or, if you don't feel comfortable unless you've got sun-kissed skin that looks like you just got back from Jamaica, look for an apartment community that has free tanning beds.

4.  Understand exactly what you're paying for

At some apartment communities, all of the utilities are included with your monthly rent payment. At others, you're on your own for some or all of them. Or, there may be monthly pet fees at one apartment complex, while another only charges an initial move-in pet fee.  If you're like most college students, you need to stretch your pennies as far as possible. Ask plenty of questions so that you know you're getting the most bang for your buck.

Bottom line -- with a little bit of research and planning, you can find an apartment that has all the comforts of home!