Nine Ways to Find a Roommate in a New City

Are you looking to enjoy the convenience of city living without breaking the bank? It’s time to find a roommate! 

In the best-case scenario, you can make a long-lasting friendship with your newfound roommate. But even if you’re not looking for a new best friend, you need to ensure you find a roommate you can tolerate.

Moving to a new city is an exciting time, don’t let a roommate search get you down. From spreading the word to checking out popular websites for finding a roommate, here are nine ways to find a great roommate in your new city!

First, Get Prepared to Search for Your New Roommate 

Before you start searching for a roommate, you’ll need to take some time to think about what your ideal rooming and housing situation looks like.

List out Any Roommate Deal Makers or Deal Breakers

Before you get started on your roommate search, you’ll want to do some prep work. To find your idea of a great roommate, you’ll need to know what you’re looking for! 

Here are some questions to get you started: 

• Are you comfortable living with a roommate of the opposite gender? 
• Can you live with someone with different cleaning habits?
• How do you feel about pets? 
• Could you live with someone who works an opposite shift?
• What are your thoughts on frequent guests, parties, and overnight visitors? 
• Could you live with someone noisy, or are you looking for a quiet roommate? 

Finding a new roommate and crafting your own “roommate-wanted” listings will be a breeze now that you’re equipped with this information. 

Make Your Personal Statement 

To catch the attention of potential roommates, you’ll want to craft a short blurb about yourself. Use a friendly tone and showcase your personality! 

Here are some questions you may want to answer when writing your short bio: 

• What brings you to the city? Whether you’re moving for a new work opportunity or for a change in scenery, this background information will give prospective roommates some much-needed background information.
• What’s your schedule like? Include your typical working hours. If you’re an early riser, a roommate who works a graveyard shift may not be the best fit. 
• What are your hobbies and interests? Sharing your hobbies and interests will help a potential roomie gauge if you could be a good fit — or even a potential friend.
• What’s your lifestyle like? Do you prefer to spend your free time out exploring your new city or relaxing at home? Are you more likely to go on a run or cozy up with a good book? 
• How would friends describe you? Are you quiet and introverted or a social butterfly? Are you a jokester or a professional type? 

You don’t want to mislead potential roommates, so be thoughtful and honest while drafting your bio. If you have other roommates (including pets!), be sure to include them as well. 

Get Specific About Housing 

If you’re looking to sublet, fill a spot in a lease, or sign a lease once you find a roommate, here are a few essentials to include in your posting: 

• Name your price. Know your budget, and be upfront about how much you’re able to spend on rent. Don’t forget to factor in utilities and services, like electricity and internet.
• Where do you want to be? If you’re hoping to land in a specific neighborhood in your new city or a particular type of living arrangement (think, private or shared bedroom, townhome, or apartment), be sure to include that information.
• If you have pets, include them! If you have a pet tagging along to your new city, specify that you’re looking for both a pet-friendly roommate and lease. Consider including your pet’s name, breed, age, and weight, as some landlords have restrictions. 
• Get specific with your needs and non-negotiables. Some examples may include a private bedroom or bathroom, covered garage, yard, full kitchen, elevator, or a ground-level unit. 

If You Already Have a Lease in Your New City, Describe Your Digs 

If you already have a lease in the works for a fantastic apartment or townhome, you’ll want to include this information in a listing or post! 

Here are a few things to be sure to cover:

• The cost of rent and utilities. Include how much split rent will cost a future roommate. Include their share of fixed utilities or services, and provide an average estimate of usage-based utilities, like water or electricity. 
• Where you’re located. Don’t forget to add in any potentially attractive geographic features. List your neighborhood and any conveniences associated with your location. A short walk to a nearby coffee shop, park, or entertainment district can be a huge selling point for a potential roommate! For safety’s sake, don’t include your full address on internet listings or posts. 
• Describe the available room. Provide the dimensions of your roommate’s vacant space or room. If you don’t have dimensions in hand, note the size of the bed and other furniture items your previous roommate had in the room. Include photos if possible, and note any extras, like an ensuite bathroom or walk-in closet. 
• Highlight your home’s features. Share a list of features your home includes, like an in-unit washer and dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning, or full kitchen. Call attention to what makes your new home pop, whether it’s gorgeous exposed brick, floor-to-ceiling windows, or a sunny balcony. 
• Play up the perks. Outline any amenities or potential upgrades to the lease, like parking, an onsite gym, or a community pool. 

9 Ways to Find Your New Roommate 

Now that you’ve put some thought into what you’re looking for in a future roommate, it’s time to get your roommate search started! Here are some of the places to begin posting and searching. 

1. Talk With Those Close to You

Your friends, family, and coworkers know you well; reach out to them for roommate recommendations! When you tell your friends, family, and coworkers you’re planning on making the big move, let them know you’re in search of a roommate! They can gauge whether or not you and a mutual acquaintance could happily room together. 

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Take to Your Larger Social Circle

Cast a wide net by talking with acquaintances at your local gym, art class, hairstylist, or the baristas at your favorite coffee shop. 

If your acquaintances know someone in the area, they will likely be happy to foster a connection. Even if their connection in your new city isn’t in search of a roommate at the moment, they may know of someone who is!

3. Start by posting a status update, Tweet, or story

Social media is a great place to begin hunting for a roommate. With a quick update, you can post your “roommate-wanted” listing and notify hundreds of your social media followers that you’re in search of a roommate in your new city. 

4. Join Facebook Groups

In addition to posting a status update, join some Facebook groups. Joining local Facebook groups can help you feel connected to your new community and also help you find a great roommate! 

Start by searching and joining Facebook groups related to your future neighborhood and city. In larger cities, you’ll likely be able to find groups specifically tailored to new residents and finding a roommate.

Don’t forget to check out the local interest-related Facebook groups in your new city, too! This way, you can find a roommate to bond with over knitting, cycling, drumming, geo-caching, or whatever else you’re into. 

5. Check Out Your New City’s Subreddit

Most cities have a dedicated Reddit page, also known as a subreddit. Be on the lookout for subreddits specific to your new city, new neighborhood, or the neighborhood where you’d like to live. 

Your new city or prospective neighborhood’s subreddit is a great place to search for existing roommate wanted listings, or to post your own!

6. Get to Swiping on Bumble BFF

Yes, you can swipe right on a potential roommate! While you may think of Bumble as a dating app, Bumble BFF is an excellent way to make friends and find a roommate in your new city! 

Simply download the app, create a profile that showcases your personality and lets others know you’re in search of a roommate, and get to swiping!

7. Search and Post on Craigslist

Craigslist is an old but effective site to post your “roommate wanted” ad on. You can start by searching for vacancies in your new city, and don’t be afraid to get specific with your search! 

Craigslist is unmoderated, so be wary of scammers and don’t reveal too much personal information. To safely find a roommate on Craigslist, consider creating an email just for your roommate search and don’t disclose personal information like your full address, phone number, or full name. 

8. Check out Sites Dedicated to Finding a New Roommate 

You’re not alone in trying to find a great roommate, and your perfect roomie match may be hiding out on one of these sites!

Here are some great websites to find roommates,  

• Padmapper
• Roomie Match
• Roommates.com

9. Look No Further Than the App Store. 

Yes, there really is an app for that! With a quick download, you can quickly be on your way to meeting a great new roommate. 

Here are a few apps that can help you find an awesome roommate. 

• Roomi
• Roomster 
• Badi

You’ve Connected to Some Potential Roommates, Now What? 

Once you’ve connected with a few potential roommates, you’ll want to make sure they’re a good fit with a roommate screening. Take some time to get to know your potential roommate, and think of this as an interview, not an interrogation.

Not sure what to ask? Here are some questions to help you get started! 

• What are your pet peeves?
• Why are you looking for a new living situation?
• How do you feel about sharing?
• What is your work schedule like?
• Do you smoke or drink?
• What, if any, are your vices?
• What are your hobbies and interests? 
• Do you have any allergies? 
• What are your cleaning habits like?
• What are your thoughts on houseguests?

It’s best to start your conversation online, via email, text, or your digital platform of choice. Once you get a feel for your potential roommate, suggest an in-person meeting.

If you’re wondering how to safely find a new roommate, remember it’s best to err on the side of caution when meeting up with any stranger for the first time. Ask to meet your potential roommate in person in a public, daytime setting. Don’t hesitate to ask for references or even a background check. If you feel like something is off, trust your instincts. 

Once you’ve selected your new roommate, check out how to establish roommate rules for comfortable cohabitation and learn how to keep the peace with your new roommate. 

Enjoy City Living Faster by Furnishing Your New Apartment With CORT 

From Friends to New Girl, city living with roommates makes for excellent sitcom fodder. But with real-life roommates, things can quickly stray into dramatic territory when figuring out who contributes what to the household.

Instead of keeping tabs on who pays for the dining room set or which one of you gets to keep the expensive couch, rent stylish, high-quality furniture from CORT and split the cost evenly! Why bother with the hassle and cost of lugging your tired old furniture across state lines when you can quickly and easily furnish your entire space with our furniture rental packages?

And good news if you’re dreading the move-in process: CORT makes the moving in and out easy. We will deliver and set up your place before you move in, and pick all the furnishings up when you move out. Start browsing online or in one of our local furniture rental showrooms today!