Living Options

Living Alone vs. Having a Roommate: Pros & Cons

Determine Your Non-Negotiables

Begin by writing down your top five non-negotiables and a few qualities that would be nice but aren’t deal breakers. Having a clear sense of what matters most to you will help ensure you don’t choose someone who is incompatible with your lifestyle or habits.

Use Multiple Search Methods

There are many effective ways to find a roommate:

• Friends, family, and your personal network: Let people know you’re searching. Someone in your extended network may know a person in your new city who is also looking.

• Social media: Facebook groups are especially helpful. Search for housing, community, or city-specific groups in your target area and share details such as your preferred rent range, your move-in timeline, a short bio, and the qualities you’re looking for. You can also post on Instagram, LinkedIn, or other platforms to see if anyone in your network can connect you with a potential roommate.

• Roommate-matching sites: Several platforms specialize in helping people find roommates. These sites often include identity verification or background checks for added safety. Popular options include Roommates.com, Roomster, Roomi, and Diggz.

Prioritize Safety

Regardless of the method you use, take necessary precautions, especially when meeting someone from the internet. Arrange your first meeting in a public place and consider bringing a friend or family member with you. Meeting in person also gives you the chance to read their personality, communication style, and overall compatibility.

Screen Carefully & Ask the Right Questions

During your conversations, talk openly about finances, living habits, routines, boundaries, and expectations. Listen carefully to their responses and answer their questions honestly. If the process feels similar to a job interview, that’s normal, living with someone requires alignment on many important aspects of daily life.

You can use the Potential Roommate Questionnaire PDF included in this guide for helpful screening questions.

Discuss Finances Clearly and Early

Financial conversations are essential because roommates share joint responsibility for paying rent and bills. Important topics to discuss include:

• Whose name will be on the lease

• How rent and utilities will be divided

• How payments will be handled each month (including autopay options)

• Whether you should request a credit check if their name will not be on the lease

Discussing these things upfront protects both of you and helps avoid future conflict.

Work Out Logistics Before Moving In

Make sure to cover practical details such as:

• How you’ll split furnishings or shared items

• Whose name utilities will be under

• Who gets which room, and whether rent will be adjusted for room size differences

• Whether you’ll share a renters insurance policy or each get your own

Sorting these logistics early helps ensure a smoother transition once you move in.

Start With Research

When you’re moving out of state, the internet is your best friend. Start by researching:

• Different neighborhoods

• Local hangouts and areas of interest

• Commute times and proximity to your job

• Whether the area fits your preferred lifestyle

When researching apartments, look up as many details as possible such as when the building was constructed, its location, nearby amenities, and any patterns in online reviews. Be cautious of recurring comments about mold, pests, flooding, maintenance problems, or unresponsive landlords.

Visit the Area if Time Allows

If your schedule allows, consider visiting the city in person to tour potential apartments. Take photos and videos so you can compare units later and remember what you liked or disliked.

Use Multiple Search Methods

To find reliable listings, use a combination of tools:

• Online Search: Websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Apartments.com can help you narrow your search based on price, size, amenities, and location preferences.

• Property Managers & Leasing Agents: Reach out to property managers or contact apartment communities directly. Leasing agents can send you photos, explain layouts, answer complex questions, and help you understand what is available in your price range.

Make Use of Virtual Touring Options

If you can’t tour in person, explore options like:

• 3D virtual tours

• Live video tours with leasing agents

Always ask for a live video tour, these allow you to ask questions and view the apartment in real time. If you have friends or family in the area, you can also ask them to tour units on your behalf.

Understand the Local Rental Market

Keep track of supply and demand in your target area. Hot markets require fast action, while slower markets allow more flexibility.

Prioritize Location

Try to choose a home that minimizes stress and long commutes. Living close to your workplace or near major transit routes can make adjusting to a new city much easier.

Prepare Your Budget & Required Documents

Before you tour or apply, make sure you can comfortably afford the rent and include utilities, transportation, and other recurring costs in your calculations.

Most landlords will require documents such as:

• Bank statements

• Paystubs

• Offer letter (if relocating for work)

• Photo ID

• Social security number (for credit checks)

• Proof of renters insurance

• Landlord references

• Guarantor paperwork (if applicable)

Bring a recent copy of your credit report to avoid repeated credit pulls.

Since many landlords care about credit, be honest about your situation. Offering a larger security deposit or agreeing to automatic payments may increase your chances of being approved.

Be Ready to Act Quickly

When you find a rental that fits your needs, having your documents, deposit, and screening information ready allows you to secure the unit before someone else does.