Finding a roommate in NYC is already hard but doing so as a woman doubles down the trouble. There are a lot of things to pay extra attention to, especially if your roommates are not women as well. However, in all of the craziness provided by the city, it is still possible to find not only someone to live with but also a friend and even a partner.
Tips to find a roommate
While there is no trick to finding the perfect person to live with, there are a few tips that might come in handy.
- Ask your college alumni or your friends. If you’re fresh out of college it is more likely for your classmates to struggle with finding a place to live as well. There are a lot of Alumni Networks where you can find a room or a roommate. If this is not the option for you, you can always ask a friend who’s also looking for a place.
- Meet up with the candidates. Meeting your potential roommate before actually moving in or signing the lease is key to safely doing this process. During this time you can ask them questions regarding your concerns and see if their answer is acceptable to you.
- Look for female roommates. While it is true that girl roommates can also be dangerous, a lot of those dangers disappear when sticking to same gender flatmates.
- Take time to think. When finding a stranger to live with, it is important to take some time for yourself. That way you will be able to figure out what you’re looking for in a roommate.
Safe websites to find a roommate
Everyone has heard of a roommate search online that has gone wrong, that is why it is so important to use safe websites when looking for a flatmate. We have put together a list of safe websites where you can start searching.
Spare Room allows you to look for either a room or a roommate for free, while doing this you will be able to select your preferences like whether or not you want a furnished place or the gender of your roommate as well as many more. The website directly connects you to the roommate and allows you to send a message. It also has moderators working every day to keep scammers away. Spare Room does not necessarily require a paid membership, however, you may benefit from paying for one.
If you belong to the LGBT+ community, this is the site for you. While you need a paid membership to search for a roommate, sometimes this is the price to pay to make sure you’re going to be safe and find a place rather quickly since, according to the site, people tend to find an apartment in two weeks or less. This website also allows you to select your preferences when it comes to your search.
Roomiapp allows you to do a wide search either of a room or a roommate. You can select what gender and age you want your roommate to be and there are even verified accounts, which is always safer. This site also lets you select the kind of lifestyle you want your flatmate to have as well as your own and it connects you directly to them since you can immediately start a chat with the applicant. This website does not require a paid membership.
This website has a matchmaker which will connect you to roommates proven to be compatible based on the data provided by them. While a paid membership is not necessarily required, it might come in handy since it will give you access to potential roommates’ social media. Roomster allows you to not only use the searcher on the web but also on your phone since it is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.
Can I evict my roommate if we don’t get along?
Sometimes, no matter how careful you were in the process of finding a flatmate, things don’t work out.
You can actually evict your roommate by commencing a roommate holdover case in NYC Housing Court if you’re the primary tenant, which means your name is on the lease. Nevertheless, this does not apply to family members.
If both yours and your flatmates are on the lease, achieving an eviction might be harder, however, it is not impossible. You can negotiate with your landlord and they can renew the lease while removing your co-signer. This can be tricky since your housemate can also arrange with the landlord.
Being a woman and new to a big city can be scary, especially when there are so many horror stories in this scenario but fear should not interfere with your dreams of living in a city as magical and full of life as New York.
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