Living alone can be challenging, especially for students and young professionals who’ve moved to a new city for work or studies. There’s so much to do, like managing finances, chores, and all of this while staying sane & not feeling alone. Living with a roommate can have a lot of benefits, but only if you find someone you can vibe with.

The roommate effect can be beautifully refreshing if you’ve lived alone before. Having someone reliable and friendly to talk to when you come home after an exhausting day can be amazing. But how to find a roommate that you can trust and share your life with for a while?

In this blog, we will cover everything from online roommate finders to interview questions for your potential roomies. How to split bills and sign a roommate agreement— along with a lot of practical tips and guidance!

Read on to find everything that you need to know on how to find a roommate.

Create a Checklist of Traits You Want in your Ideal Roommate

Sounds like homework, but this is the first step to identifying the traits your roommate should possess! List out the qualities that you want and what you don’t want. You may want to discuss this with a close friend or a colleague. Try to be as specific as possible.

If you have lived with roommates before, you can also list out what you liked and disliked about them. Here are some ideal qualities in a roommate that you should consider.

• Responsible regarding chores
• Communicative in case of disagreements
• Respectful and mindful of personal space
• Clean and hygiene-conscious
• Punctual regarding rent and other payments

Finding a great roommate can be truly awesome. If everything goes well, you will get a best friend in disguise and a trustworthy confidant. Having said that, you will also come across many types of roommates in your life.

You may come across a roommate who is an absolute slob- ignoring the messy spaces they create and leaving dishes uncleaned. On the other hand, you may also find someone who is organized like Monica in Friends– who makes their beds every morning and always volunteers to clean the kitchen. While there is no one reason to say which personality can fit your requirements, finding someone with whom you can communicate easily is important. Everyone has some flaws but as long as it doesn’t hamper your lifestyle and your mental health, you can always get along.

Once you are clear about what you want from your roommate, you can proceed to find the perfect one in a few simple steps!

Interview questions to ask your potential roommates

While you meet and greet a couple of people in your roommate hunt, a good interview is all about the important questions. It doesn’t have to be as grilling as a job interview— but having a good roommate can be as important as landing a good job, don’t you agree?

Asking the right questions is important so that you are clear about who you are living with. Figure out what is important to you in a living situation and frame your questions accordingly.

Here are some potential roommate questions that you must ask?:

1. “What is your work? Work from office or home?” This would determine if they would pay their rents on time and how often you’d expect to see them around. If you are interacting with students, you can ask about how they are planning to pay rent— is there a parent who is providing, or do they work part-time?
2. “What do your weekends look like?” It may not seem significant, but you should know if they have any hobbies or like inviting friends over. And if they like doing the same things as you, it couldn’t get better.
3. “Have you lived with roommates before?” It would be great to know if they have had good co-living experiences and what kind of people they have lived with before. It could be a red flag if they only talk about bad experiences. If they have never lived with roommates before, you could be the first to face some challenges.
4. “How do you feel about cleanliness and household chores?” Sharing an apartment is sharing responsibilities, and cleaning is the top priority. Tell them about your thoughts first and see if they comply.
5. “What kind of roommate do you want?” Just like you have made a checklist, your roommate candidate must also have one. Ask them what they are looking for to see if you match.

Add more questions as you seem necessary. But be ready with all the answers yourself first. The interview should have them asking you questions as well. And if they don’t ask you anything, that would be fishy!

Related: Types of roommates in college

Finding a roommate within your network

Before you go on looking for roommates online or on public networks, it’s best to begin from your inner circle. You can turn to family, friends, or co-workers— find a trustworthy name and reach out.

But warning bells, maintain your guard and don’t get carried away just because you found a familiar name. People can be amazing when you meet them in a cafe or outside to chill, but it’s an entirely different story when it comes to sharing a space. Therefore, ask your questions and clarify every doubt regarding the living situation. Look out for roommate red flags to avoid a horror story.

If you found a great friend who is also in need of a roommate, be careful. Best friends are generally not your soul roommates. You must set boundaries from the get-go and be respectful of private space. If that doesn’t happen from the beginning, it can be a disaster!

How to find a roommate on social media?

If you don’t find anyone in your personal network, don’t worry. Social media platforms can be pretty helpful to expand the search. You may meet familiar names through your followers on these channels. But you may also meet new people with similar interests and backgrounds.

• Facebook is great for roommate hunts where you can reach out to a large number of people through groups as well. Create a strong bio mentioning all the details, and you can meet some interesting people.
• Instagram can help you reach out to your followers. Create a newsfeed post or story describing your requirements, and you are good to go. You may also use hashtags for your locality or city.
• Create a Twitter post to ask your followers if they need a roommate. Again hashtags can be very useful here.
• LinkedIn is generally more about your professional circle. So, you may get someone from a similar work background to live with you. Make a detailed post about your needs and requirements, and connect.

You may also come across other roommate-looking people posting about their needs on social media. Reach out to them via comments or DMs to ask if they can talk. Be respectful and polite just like you would expect them to be. Make sure to refer to your checklist while choosing a roommate.

? Did you know that at least one-third of US adults share their living spaces with roommates?

How to find a roommate using an online roommate finder?

So, you have dug hard in your personal network and social media but could not find the perfect fit! No problem because there are plenty of online roommate finders out there for precisely this purpose. With an online tool, you can find a variety of people in multiple locations. And if you are worried about choosing the wrong platform, we have shortlisted some of the best apps to find a roommate!

1. **Roomi:** No matter which city you’re looking in, with Roomi, you can get roommates anywhere. You will find plenty of roommate listings and also find apartments for rent in your preferred locality. The app makes it super easy to connect you with background-verified candidates. You can check their bios and moving preferences before reaching out. Make an account for free and find the perfect roommate!
2. Diggz: Roommate finder with a dating app interface. You can search for potential roommates and hit the “Like” button. And if they like you back, it’s a “Match,” and you can chat. Feel free to talk and discuss your roommate requirements before you meet.
3. Circle of Roommates: If you are looking for roommates in New York or Los Angeles, this is a great option. You can look up plenty of profiles with pictures, age, and bios. You may also connect with friends of friends if connecting with strangers is not something you’re comfortable with.
4. Roomiematch: This gives you some excellent roommate matches if you are living in USA or Canada. The app connects you to people who share similar schedules, hobbies, and apartment preferences. You can make your profile for free so that others can contact you. However, it would cost you $19.95 per year to initiate a conversation.
5. Cirtru: The app name stands for Circle of Trust, and it also helps you find people with verified identities. There are also verification options for employment and education for a small fee. All the details are kept private, and you can reach out to anyone anonymously.

Modern roommate finders have developed the best techniques to avoid scammers and help you reach trustworthy people. Features like background verification and roommate bios can easily help you shortlist your potential roommates in time.

Finally, signing the roommate agreement!

When you move into a new apartment, you must know about the rental agreement that you sign for the landlords. But guess what can be even more important? A roommate agreement!

Yes, this does not involve your landlord or any third party other than your roommates. Finding a good roommate is one thing, but maintaining a good roommate relationship is an entirely new domain. Before you start worrying about cleaning schedules and establishing rules regarding house guests, there must be a reference point that all parties agree upon.

There may be times when your roommate vanishes for days without any notice. And what if they forget about paying the rent? Collecting money for utilities can be more tricky than paying rent. A roommate agreement can help you avoid such tricky situations.

Here are some important things that you must mention in your roommate agreement.

1. Paying rents and bills: Messing up with the finances can lead to a lot of tension between roommates. Determine the list of things you would be sharing apart from rent, like Wi-Fi and groceries. Who will handle the rent payments? Electricity and other bills? Before anything leads to a dispute— have a meeting and discuss. List out the person responsible for collecting and paying for utilities. Clearly mention the due dates and exact amount to be paid. There are also some amazing apps for splitting bills with roommates to make the task easier.
2. Household chores and apartment maintenance: While living with a roommate, cleaning schedules and dividing chores is a must. No one wants to clean up for the mess they didn’t make in the first place. It is best to prepare a chore list and include it in the roommate agreement- add schedules and task ownership.
3. Entertainment and hosting guests: It could be fun to host parties in your apartment once in a while and invite guests over. There can be visits by friends, family, and partners. However, not everyone in the house will love it every day. Set limitations on how frequently one can invite guests and how long the stay can last. Make rules regarding the noise levels and smoking zones.

It’s good practice to follow some common roommate etiquette to avoid conflicts, and a roommate agreement seals the deal.

How to stay sane (and happy) while living with roommates?

It’s important to know how to be a good roommate first- what goes around comes around. Here are some practices to enjoy your apartment life to the fullest:

1. Always communicate: Just like any other relationship, communication is key. Living together, you may come across situations when things don’t sit tight with you. Understand that it’s okay to disagree on certain things and move on. However, don’t let the tension build up with the silent treatment. Talk to them politely to fix and resolve such situations. Most roommates can talk out disputes and find solutions, but things can get tricky if you have a passive aggressive roommate.
2. Spend time together: An important part of living with a roommate is to know more about them. Have a coffee session together or watch a movie together. Spending time together will help you develop a good friendship and trust each other more.
3. Maintain boundaries: Whether it’s sharing food or Wi-Fi, be clear about the boundaries. It is important to give space to your roommate. Even if you live in a small apartment, make some arrangements so that everyone can enjoy some personal space when they need to.

Related: Find A Roommate In NYC That You’ll Love!

How to find a roommate: FAQs

Q. What is the safest way to find a roommate?

Begin with your network— connect with familiar people you can trust rather than strangers. Apart from that, there are several apps like Roomi where you can find background-verified individuals. Talk to them and ask your questions openly to find a person that you can trust and meet.

Q. Why is finding a roommate hard?

Finding a roommate can be hard, especially if you are new to a city or a country. New people can be intimidating to talk to as well. It is also challenging to find someone with a compatible personality. That’s why it’s essential to talk to people openly and decide who is right for you.

Q. What should I mention in my roommate bio?

Mention every detail that can make a difference to your new roommate. This would include your apartment location, where you are from, where you are working or studying, and what is your budget. It would also be great to mention your personality traits- if you like to go out a lot or if you like cleaning. Tell them what your regular routine looks like.

Q. Should I live with a roommate in a new city?

Yes, it’s a great idea to live with a roommate in a new city. Firstly, it can help you save on rent and expenses. Apart from that, it would also help you make a friend easily. And there are plenty of solutions if you are thinking about how to find a roommate in a new city. The best option is to make a profile in online roommate finders like Roomi, where you can connect and chat with background verified people.

Q. How long does it take to find a roommate?

It could take a week or a few months to find a roommate as it would depend on what you are looking for and where. At times, you can compromise with a few traits and get along. But if you take the time to meet many people and reach out to many platforms at once, it should take you about a month to find the best roommate.

Get the ideal roommate to share your apartment with Roomi!

Finding a good roommate can be tough but with the right connections and online tools, it’s easier than ever before. If you’re looking for the best roommate finder online, Roomi should be your go-to app. Finding background-verified and trustworthy roommates gets much easier with this safe and secure platform!

Put in your location and browse to see a list of options. If you like someone’s bio, chime in with a “Hi” and put in your queries on chat. Let them know about your terms and conditions, and set up a meeting if everything works out. Roomi can also help you out if you are looking for rooms for rent. The best part is that it is free!

With Roomi, no new place is too daunting. Connect with amazing people and find the best roommate ever!

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