If the thought of living alone is unappealing to you (whether that be for social or financial reasons), you’ll want to consider finding roommates before you begin your quest to find an apartment.
Here are our tips for finding a roommate in New York City:
How to Find a Roommate Who’s a Good Match
If you’re looking to move in with someone, it’s vital to find a roommate who’s a good match. This is because living with incompatible people can lead to major problems.
One of the best ways to determine whether you’re compatible is to meet in person. You’ll get a feel for how they interact with others and how they handle their day-to-day life.
Before moving in, you should have a conversation about your expectations. Discuss things like how many visitors you usually have and what guest policies are in place. Also, you should discuss how you plan to divide your costs. For instance, you might split the cost of household items like a washer and dryer in half.
You should also consider your personal traits. Some people are introverted, and might be happier living alone. Others enjoy socializing. Ultimately, you’ll want to find a roommate who shares your values and interests.
Aside from the obvious (paying rent), you should also look into whether or not your potential roommate has a steady job. Rent delinquency can be a big problem if you live with someone who works temp jobs.
Another important aspect is cleanliness. A dirty apartment can turn into a headache. Make sure you’re living with someone who pays attention to hygiene.
Lastly, you should pay attention to their party habits. If you and your potential roommate both work night shifts, you might want to choose someone who’s sound sleeper.
As you can see, choosing a roommate who’s a perfect fit can be difficult. But it’s important to do your homework and take your time.
How to Split Rent With Roommates
There are plenty of benefits to having a roommate. For instance, some people find it helpful to have someone to share bills with. Some even find it fun. However, sharing a space with a roommate can also present its own set of challenges.
One of the biggest expenses that most people pay each month is rent. Splitting the rent amongst a group of people can be tricky, especially if the people in question aren’t on the same page. The key to making this work is to put a lease in writing that covers all the bases.
To figure out how to split rent with your roommates you’ll want to get a sense of who is liable for which bills. This could be as simple as having a monthly meeting to discuss the bills. It’s not uncommon for one or both of your roommates to wait until the last minute to pay the bills. Having a schedule for paying your roommate’s bills will make things easier and less stressful.
Putting together a spreadsheet of your roommate’s bills is a good place to start. Make sure that you include a due date, as well as any other relevant information.
It’s also a good idea to check with your landlord to see if your roommate is able to keep up with the rent. If you don’t, you may need to look at a personal loan or seek some sort of extension from your landlord.
Where to Find Roommates
There are many websites and apps designed to help you find roommates. However, before you start searching, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Using the wrong tools to search for roommates can result in you finding something you don’t actually need, causing a headache down the road.
As a general rule, you want to look for sites that are reputable and have a large volume of listings. These are also better than trying to navigate the classified section on your local newspaper.
It’s also worth checking out Twitter. This social networking site is a great way to make new friends. The best part about Twitter is that users can retweet other users’ tweets, thus spreading the message to more people.
A similar but slightly different option is Diggz. This site allows you to search for roommates based on your own preferences. You can also use the site to see if you share common interests.
Craigslist is another popular place to post a roommate wanted ad. However, it’s not structured for homeowners and you might not have much luck.
If you are serious about finding a roommate, you might consider using a real estate brokerage or a roommate marching service. A broker will help you to vet potential tenants and ensure you are getting a suitable match.
Be sure to ask your prospective roommates the right questions and be wary of scams. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for references from previous roommates.
The Pros and Cons of Sharing a Home With a Friend
Having a friend live with you can be a fun experience, but it can also be frustrating. If you’re thinking about sharing a home with a friend, make sure you know the pros and cons of it.
Choosing the right roommates is the first step. It’s important to pick a friend who has similar values and lifestyle, but you may want to consider other aspects as well.
You can create a great bond by getting together for game nights. But don’t forget to talk about your daily routines. Discuss your expectations so you can both get along.
If you’re a neat freak, you might not want to share a home with someone who is a slob. Even if you both agree on cleanliness, you should still divide up household chores. Cleaning the bathroom is often the most dreaded task.
Make sure that your friend is a hard worker. They should be able to pay the rent and utilities on time, and they should be willing to talk openly about issues.
Your friend may have a different cultural background. Choosing a roommate who is from a different culture is not always a bad idea. However, it can be difficult to establish a friendship if you don’t understand each other’s perspectives.
It’s also a good idea to set aside time for you and your roommate to interact. This might mean playing board games or watching a movie. There’s no need to go out to parties if you aren’t comfortable doing so.