If you’re already living in New York, you know how the roommate game works. But if you’re new to the city, finding a roommate you can live with (that doesn’t eat your food from the fridge, or lets dishes pile up for weeks) can be a challenge. Before commiting, here are a few things to consider during your roommate search.
- Know Your Budget and Where You Want to Live
Before you even begin to look for a roommate, you need to decide on a set budget. You’ll likely be locked into the lease for 12 months, so you need to factor in the maximum amount of monthly rent you can afford, while also factoring in other living expenses like cable and groceries.
Next, you’ll want to pick a neighborhood that is right for you and has apartments within your set budget. To help narrow it down, you’ll want to consider a few factors like cost, proximity to public transportation, space, noise levels, and safety. - How to Find a Roommate in NYC
Living solo can be quite a financial burden given the cost of renting in New York City. That’s why so many New Yorkers live with roommates to help share costs. To help navigate your search, here are easy ways to help find a match.
Ask Your Friends
Start asking around, and you’d be surprised how many people know someone looking for a place to live or are searching for a subletter. Even though you may not know the potential roommate personally, it’s good that you’ll be able to trust family and friend’s recommendations.
If you don’t mind making your roommate search public, it is worthwhile to post a note on Facebook, letting friends know you’re looking for a roommate.
Use Roommate Matching Services
Services like BeamMate make finding a roommate simpler, quicker, and safer. You search based on what's important to you to make sure you find your perfect match. Plus, BeamMate has security measures in place to make sure everyone on the site is legit. - How to Determine If a Roommate is Right for You
A roommate can make or break your New York living experience, and if you learn how to pick the right one, life will be less stressful.
First, meet in person at a public place and get as much information as possible before you move in together. You can – and should – do research and check out their social media profiles.
No one will be a perfect match but having frank conversations before signing a lease will help you weed out potential roommates to find one that is compatible. That means you should talk about:
Budget: When you discuss the budget, make sure to distinguish between monthly rent and the other expenses like cable, utilities, laundry, a MetroCard, cab rides, etc. Leave a little room for fun or the occasional night out on the town.
Cleanliness: How neat or messy are you? Discuss what your policy is when it comes to cleaning up, especially in the shared areas of the apartment. Make sure there is a division of labor and clear expectations like who is doing dishes and who is cleaning the bathroom. You may need to compromise and hire a cleaning service if that works best for you both.
Guest Policy: Asking a potential roommate how often they expect to have visitors can set expectations from the start. If one roommate is in a serious relationship, ask if they’ll be spending a lot of time away from the apartment or the all-too-common scenario when a roommate’s boyfriend “unofficially” moves in. Make sure you’re both on the same page about the guest policy that works for both of you.
Lifestyle: Are you a night owl, and the potential roommate is an early bird? You’ll want to work out the details of the home’s vibe, so you both feel welcome and relaxed in your home. Find out what your roommate expects of you. Can you conform to those expectations? Be honest.
Pets: Be upfront about having a pet. (Keep in mind that dog-friendly apartments may still have restrictions on the dog's breed, size, and weight.) If pets are allowed, be sure to get it in writing.
Other questions to ask:
- What are your deal breakers?
- How often do you cook at home?
- How often do you travel?
- What’s your daily routine?
You don’t have to be best buddies with your roommate to keep a happy household.
Ultimately, go with your gut. If you enjoy the person’s company and have a lot in common, that’s a great sign that the roommate situation will work. But if you think you won’t get along with someone, listen to that hesitation before moving in or searching for an apartment together. It’s better to explain why you aren’t a good fit and walk away before being stuck until your lease ends. - Find the Right Apartment
Renting in New York City is more complicated than most people anticipate, so you need to put together a list of priorities and focus on apartments that match your needs. If there’s a deal-breaker, speak up.
Do you want a big kitchen? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you want bedrooms on opposite sides of the apartment? Is the space big enough to live comfortably?
Sites like Apartments.com, StreetEasy, Zillow, and Zumper can help you to stay on top of what's new to the market. These reliable sites allow you to narrow your search and specify your desired cost, location, number of bedrooms, etc. - Living with Roommates
Now that you’re living together, you’re all on the hook for every provision in the lease. So, if your roommate fails to pay rent, you're still responsible for paying the full amount.
Just like signing a lease with your landlord, you can create a roommate agreement. What goes into the agreement is up to you and your roommates, but it should outline agreeable terms for how the rent will be divided and cover areas of possible conflict like noises, guests, cleaning, and shared items.
You can also discuss how you’ll handle an early move-out, should one of you need to break the lease. While it may not be legally binding, the paperwork can help enforce financial agreements.
While there is no guarantee that you’ll live in perfect harmony, it’s essential to make sure you and your roommates are all on the same page. This will help you avoid uncomfortable living situations, so you have a better chance of finding the right roommate.
Written by Amber James