So you and your future roommate are looking at apartments near FSU for the coming semester, but there is a problem. Your roommate has a pet, and you are allergic to it. Living with allergies can be unforgiving, depending on the severity. If you are deciding to live with this animal, I am going to assume that your allergies are more manageable. There still may be issues however, so I am going to try and help you to make the best of this situation.
First off, while looking through FSU apartments, try to search for one that does not have carpet. Carpet is a nightmare, a fuzzy trap for all allergens to nestle and sit. I would highly recommend getting an apartment with wooden floors. Wooden floors are much easier to clean and will allow you to breathe much easier.
Regardless of the type of floor however, a lot of cleaning is going to have to be done throughout the week. The living and dining area should be vacuumed at least twice a week as to not let the allergens circulate and settle all around the apartment. Look into getting a hypoallergenic vacuum, as they specialize in helping people who are allergic to their pets. It may be a pain to do, but consistent cleaning will help you a lot in the long run.
Something else you should do is make sure that the animal is trained not to be on the furniture. Like carpet, furniture will trap allergens easily unless it is entirely made of wood. Since no FSU apartments come with entirely wooden furniture, you both need to make sure the animal stays either on the floor, or somewhere it is designated to be.
This can be particularly difficult with cats, as they like to be high off the ground in order to survey the environment. If your roommate's pet is a cat, make sure that they have a cat tower or some kind of shelving set up so that the cat won't be tempted to go on your furniture. Cats are stubborn, so punishing it will not be enough.
The most important thing you can do however is to keep your room sealed off. Under no circumstances should the animal ever be allowed in your room. Your room needs to be allergen free, a place where you can sleep and work without having trouble breathing. Keep your door closed at all times, and make sure that your roommate trains the animal to stay away from your room. Animals can get inquisitive and like to go where they are not supposed to, so be on the lookout.
All in all, living with an animal you are allergic to can be tough, but it is manageable. It helps if you like pets, but isn't a necessity. As long as your roommate and you both talk about the situation, and what you are going to do to make it work, you should be fine. If you need any help looking through FSU apartments, check out our search engine right here at Renttally.