h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...worked over 1000 miles away

Literally. The commute was a b*tch but he only made it about once every 4 - 6 weeks. It was great though, all the benefits of having a roommate without having to sacrifice much space. Of course, when the assignment ended he was home for about 4 weeks straight before he found another position, but his new job was still a couple of hours away and he was only home on the weekends.

On a more serious note, communication is key. For awhile I roomed with a school friend who was then a single parent. Her money was tight (as it usually is for single parents) and she wanted a roommate to help with bills. Even after contributing my share of the responsibilities she expected me to contribute any extra money I had to the household. Things came to a head when I bought myself a stereo with a bonus I had received instead of giving her the money to pay her bills - I came home from work one night (at about 2 a.m. actually) to find all of my belongings out in the yard. Everything, that is, except for the new stereo which she figured should be hers by right since I hadn't given her the money.

A friendship of over 10 years was destroyed overnight because she couldn't manage her own money. I haven't seen or spoken to her since 1993. I did get my stereo back though.