How to Find a Roommate in NYC

Two girls sitting on the couch laughing while holding coffee mugs.
Photo Credit: Diggz.com

Living in New York City has its perks – you’ll always be within walking distance to fantastic bagel shops, bustling subway lines, and nearby parks for a breath of fresh air. But before you think about if you’d like your bagel toasted or not, one of the most important questions you’ll ask yourself is “How much rent can I afford?”, and “Should I look for a roommate?”.

Sharing expenses with a roommate is a financial necessity for many New York City renters. With average one-bedroom apartments priced higher than other cities, you may be better off splitting a two bedroom unit with a roommate. Keep these tips in mind as you safely start your roommate search in The Big Apple!

Don’t Budge on Budget

We know that hardwood floors are a lot prettier and easier to clean than carpet, and your shoes would look so good in a walk-in closet, but can you really afford this? It’s easy to get carried away with a unit’s amenities and nifty perks, especially if your mentality is focused on simply “splitting” the cost with someone. But – remember to be honest with yourself when it comes to what you can afford.

A white piece of paper, red pen, coffee, and smartphone sit on a brown wooden table.
Photo Credit: Pexels.com

Make a Checklist

At the basic level, you don’t want to find a roommate – you want to find the right roommate. With that in mind, write out a list of questions for your ideal roomie.

  1. What do you do for a living, and what is your average workday?
  2. How old are you, and what do you do for fun?
  3. When are you looking to move?
  4. Do you smoke/drink?
  5. Do you expect a lot of visitors?
  6. How long do you plan to live here?
  7. Do you have any pets?
  8. What are you looking for in a roommate?
  9. Can you provide references?
  10. The most important question: What is your monthly rent budget?
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New York City Apartment Hunting Tips

Whether you’re moving to The Big Apple from across the country, across the state, or simply across the park, you’ll be one step closer to finding a great place to live with these apartment hunting tips!

The Roommate Match Up

Finding a roommate in any city is kind of like online speed dating – which is exactly how the following apps operate. From filling out a questionnaire on your sleep schedule, cooking habits, and cleanliness, these sites help you find a perfect match to split your new setup.

For those college students moving to the city for the first time, a resource like Roomsurf is just for you. Besides being free, it works for both on-campus housing and off-campus searches.

Functioning as another roommate-matching site, Diggz covers not only the five boroughs, but Jersey City and Hoboken, too. Once you sign up and fill out a few questions, Diggz will match you up with 10 people who match your criteria. From here you can “like” people you’d like to connect with.

A man hanging from a washing machine searching for missing laundry in a laundromat.
Photo Credit: Pexels.com

Meet Face to Face

Once you’ve paired up with someone who could be the right fit, offer to meet in a public location for a face to face chat. Local coffee shops or wine bars are great communal options. The conversation should be friendly and enthusiastic, but don’t forget to cover the points and questions from your earlier checklist.

If you’re more of a go with the flow kind of person, there’ss plenty of meetups across the city to meet New Yorkers who are in the same shoes. Speed Roommating holds twice-a-month outings where people who have rooms to fill, or are looking for rooms, can mingle in a safe setting.

Sign a Roommate Agreement

Woo hoo, you’ve found the roommate! Before the two (or three) of you start the apartment hunt and sign a lease, write a separate roommate agreement that everyone will abide to. This will cover groceries, cleaning schedules, and of course, shared rent and utility bills.

Are you and a friend looking for the perfect place to call your new home? Check out Glenwood’s featured apartments in New York City’s top neighborhoods today!