It is common knowledge that purchasing a house is out of reach for most young people in the United States today. According to several studies, the proportion of people who live in rented housing is growing, and a significant proportion of people who rent do so because it is financially necessary for them to do so. However, having a roommate who turns out to be a nightmare is enough to give anybody the shivers.
It is not always easy to locate a trustworthy companion to share living quarters with. You may have to conduct your search for roommate online if you are relocating to a new city or if you just do not know anybody else who is seeking a roommate. The following are some choices available when selecting a free roommate finder.
Craigslist
Let's begin with the most apparent option, which is Craigslist. When locating a roommate, it isn't easy to discover an advantage over the world's biggest online classified section. When looking for roommate via Craigslist, it is essential to do thorough research before deciding.
Before signing any contracts, you should try to get to know any possible roommates by having at least one in-person meeting with each of them. And if it's the first time you'll meet someone in person, having a buddy with you is a good idea, just in case things don't go as planned. Additionally, be wary while using Craigslist since many con artists use the platform. Never pay or send money to anybody unless you are certain that they are legitimate. Remember to purchase renter's insurance if this is your first time renting an apartment or house. It might save your life if your personal belongings are destroyed or stolen.
PadMapper
PadMapper's user interface, which is free and based on a map, makes it simple to locate available flats in a certain area or even on a specific block. Download the free PadMapper app for Android or iOS and make a listing if you already own an apartment or home and are searching for roommate to occupy one of empty rooms.
Roomi
Roomi is committed to assisting you in finding a suitable roommate. You may be certain that you won't become a scam victim since the website thoroughly examines each listing and user before allowing them to go public. A millennial's ideal website would have a light and airy appearance and be simple to browse. Creating an account, posting a listing, and doing searches on the site does not cost anything. However, for two users to communicate with one another, at least one must have a paid membership. This membership is available for a monthly fee of $24.90.
Getting back to Facebook, if you don't mind making your hunt for roommate public on Facebook, it could be worth your time to post a message informing your friends that you are looking for someone to share an apartment with you. Tag some of the individuals you know who already live in the city you are relocating to if you are going there soon.
If this isn't the case, you need to ensure that your post's privacy settings are adjusted so that everyone in your network can see and share it. Even if no one to whom you are personally related is looking for roommate, may know someone else who is.
Alumni Networks
Recent graduates should use the alumni network maintained by their alma mater to increase their chances of finding suitable housemates. There are listservs available for graduates of several institutions who now reside in large cities. Keep an eye on the list for those looking for roommates, or post a request of your own. Some alumni organizations maintain Facebook pages exclusive to graduates living in certain locations, such as Chicago, Atlanta, or Austin.
For those of you who are familiar with Reddit, several cities have subreddits that are devoted to discussing their local housing markets. There are a lot of topics on Reddit posted by other users who are seeking accommodation in the city; if you have a place to rent out, you may want to look at some of those threads. In any case, you have the option of beginning a new topic and waiting for others to respond to it.
