Finding a Roommate Off of Craigslist - Yaay or No Way?

newcs

All my roommates for about 7 years were found via Craigslist. If you have decent crazy-radar, it's not a bad idea. Did I love all my roommates? No. But it also was never disastrous. Only reason I stopped finding roommates on CL was because I had saved enough to buy a house. If you're going that route and you're the only one on the lease (or on a lease where both of you are jointly liable), I'd consider having them provide references, first/last/security and even see if you can do a credit check. Figure out what is on your list for housing deal breakers (someone who parties, smoking in the house, pets, etc) and make sure those things line up too.

ElleBee615

How well do you like living?

LMAO! But I agree :indifferent:

wood2415

NO WAY!! I would rather find someone through a friend.

moonrevenge

Two of my previous living situations were through Craigslist, but this was about a decade ago. The last time I was looking at the site, it seemed full of scam artists and other sketchy types.

I hear that Kijiji is the "new Craigslist." Judging by the things I've seen there, I'd be more comfortable finding a roommate through that site. As always, try to make sure you're not meeting potential roommates alone, regardless of which medium you use, and trust your gut instincts.

glamouritz64

A great big HELLLLLLLLLLL NO! LOL Did ya see the movie "Single White Female"??????? LMAO

girlinahat

no idea about CL, but most of the places I have lived in since the internet became popular have been through roommate finding websites. There's bound to be a flatmatedot or roommatedot where you are and it's probably the best place to search for someone serious about wanting a place to live.

I have had over 50 different flatmates over the years (and no, that's not a reflection on me, I hope). You get some weird ones and some good ones. Think about what you want from a flatmate - do you want someone to pay the rent or someone to hang out with? It's not like you have to take the first person who responds, and don't forget, they have to be able to get along with you just as much as you have to get along with them. Meeting and getting a feel for what a person like is easy enough. And it's all very well meeting the potential 'roommate' in a public place, but they will actually want to see the room at some point.....

Alternatively, you could watch the film 'Shallowgrave' and think about what happens when you share with people you think you know well......

NWCountryGal

It's like looking anywhere else, you have to screen them. I would meet them somewhere besides your home, definitely, and probably have a friend go with me. There are weirdos everywhere in this world. Just because you meet them through friends sometimes they can still be a Ted Bundy or like the chic in Single White Female.

I currently live alone in a two bedroom apartment. I can make the rent on my own, but it would be nice to split it with someone to have extra cash every month.

No one I know is looking to move, so what are your thoughts about finding a roommate through Craigslist?

ErinBeth7

I'm not going to say its a terrible idea. If you go about it the right way, be very mindful, and follow your instinct, I'm sure you can find someone who isn't a killer. I would suggest using a roommate finder site first. Not saying they're completely safe, but they're a bit more credible. Perhaps you could put an ad in the classified section of your newspaper? Definitely network on Facebook, someone might know someone who knows someone....

heygurlheyyyy

I've done it 2 or 3 times and had pretty good luck. Never lived with any crazies, but for one reason or another I would end up moving about a year and a half later. I've actually had better luck on CL than on the roommate search sites. Like everyone else said, do some research. You can also have a trial period. Say a one month lease that if either party is not happy then the person can move out with no penalty. After the trial period an official lease document can be signed.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

lilawolf

No big deal if you ask for references, do a background check, and a personal interview first. Unless your new room mate is one of your good friends, I would do all of those things anyway. I wouldn't put your address in the ad though, just a description and a neighborhood. No need to advertise that you are a woman living alone...

moonrevenge

Did I love all my roommates? No. But it also was never disastrous.

Same here. The worst that I had to deal with was a roommate who was always eating my treats and never replacing them because she "was on a diet."

tcunbeliever

I would definitely look for local colleges to post an advertisement at first...also, if you have any large corporate companies near you, they usually have people traveling that are looking to rent by the week and/or month and have in person or online ad boards...if you are going to go craigslist I would get a $20 tracphone so that if you do end up with a crazy stalker they won't likely find you, and definitely take time to get to know them somewhere public before deciding to keep them...you can always meet them for coffee with a photo album of the room for rent with any identifying landmarks removed from the photo (like a mailbox with the house number)...then they can decide if they are interested and you can take some time to decide if they are compatible...they don't have to be crazy to be a horrible roomate, and sometimes even friends or friends-of-friends turn out to be an awful match.

tami101

Even someone you know can end up being a bad roommate. If you can afford not too, I wouldn't. But as far as Craigslist goes, it's probably no more dangerous than using the classifieds in the paper to find a roommate. You just have to be careful.

redredy9

I have had about a million craigslist roommates. Most have been great. I haven't loved all of them but several of them are still close friends years after moving out. I just went to one former CL roommates wedding last weekend with another former CL roommate as my "date".

I didn't check references or get police reports on any of them (and none got mine). Carefully worded ads, careful screening of replies and in person interviews were sufficient and this is New York City.

I definately would not want to live with a college student - unless I was still college aged myself. I do not think they make the best roommates or are anymore trustworthy than the general population. I would take a working grown up over a college student anyday!


That being said - living alone is SO nice! Why would you want to give that up if you can afford to do it alone? Maybe a temporary sublet or month to month roommate would be a good compromise. So you can get the $$$ for a little while but not have to sign on for a whole year.

lyonsfool03

Well let me give you a little advice. As many of you have heard here in Lafayette La we had a 22 yo girl go missing on her bicycle in may by the name of Mickey Shunick. Well just recently, they have taken in a suspect for her murder even though they have not found the body. They have also linked this guy to the killing of a young woman in 1999. Well on to my point, shortly after the arrest was broadcasted, my friend, which is a cute lil blonde girl, called me in a panic. She stated to me that about two years ago she put an ad on craigslist for a roommate and low and behold she got a call from the now known murderer. She didnt meet up with the guy luckily because she had already found a roommate but he did ask her to add him on fb.. She said numerous times over the past years he asked her on dates including the day that the girl went missing. So if you ask me I would definately say nay!!!!

jackpotclown

A great big HELLLLLLLLLLL NO! LOL Did ya see the movie "Single White Female"??????? LMAO

I was thinking the exact same thing....but then again, that could be hot LOLOL \m/

econut2000

A friend just moved recently to Boston and that's how he found an apartment to live in. He really likes his two roommates but there were a couple of sketchy emails/phone calls from others that he had contacted and he was smart enough not to bother seeing those apartments. I think you just need to be cautious! Good luck :-)

mama78loosinWeight

Scary thought :noway:

skinnybitchbarbie27

Here's a fun fact. You can post that you want to see proof of income for a certain amount of time (to show stability in rent payments) and in many states, for 5 bucks, they can go to the police department and have a real time police report printed out. I think that in your ad you can state that these are MUSTS. I believe that there are many people who are single and need a comfortable, quiet place to live and are as awkward about finding a place just as it's awkward to find a roommate. However, you can also print out your police report *like I said by visiting your local police department* and show them that you are clean as well. I believe it is a great idea, you just have to be really smart about it. Take proof instead of someones word. Double check the dates on the police report and the paystubs. I believe you have the potential to find someone awesome. I had a roommate I found on craigslist and I had him in my home for over a year until he moved back to his home state. We coexisted and it was a quiet expierience. Not only that but splitting the rent was amazing. He never tried to put the moves on me and kept to himself. But I got that proof. Also, having a roomie that is close to your age is a good idea. It is something in common.

Bronx_Montgomery

Don't do it! A lot of weird and scary people out there.

Emancipated_Tai

Like with anything, you have to be careful. However, I’ve had two roommates off of Craig’s List and it worked out well. My suggestion is to meet with them first in a comfortable setting and ask as many questions as possible. Also, see if they have a Facebook and/or twitter. This will give you some kind of insight into what kind of person they are as well.

I now rent a house I found on Craig’s list. I’m also typing this from the job I found on Craig’s List two years ago.. I love that site!

jlsAhava

I lived in a three bedroom apartment in Hoboken, NJ (a very transient town) for a number of years. I found many of my roommates on Craig's List. I may not have been best friends with many of them, but I never ended up living with any true psychos (that said, I believe there's a little crazy in all of us - and that's healthy).

I was very specific about what I wanted - from the beginning of the process to the end. I specified the characteristics that I sought in my ad, and also stated that the person would have to A) pass a credit check and sign a lease. It's important not to be on the hook for their financial indiscretions. I felt that doing this weeded out a lot of shady characters even before a person contacted me.

Also, I actually did interview people. The purpose wasn't to find out if I liked the person, but rather to find out if I could LIVE with the person - were their living habits compatible with mine (and my other roommate's)? I preferred a roommate I could be friendly with, but not necessarily the best of friends - that way you're more likely to get the space we all need. On the flip side, I didn't want a roommate that would stay in their room whenever in the apartment - I felt that this would cause the person to be a stranger to me whenever they did (inevitably) surface, and I wanted someone I felt comfortable talking with (and/or confronting if issues arose).

I actually prefer to live with "a random" than a friend, or a friend of a friend. If you don't like living with the random, then you've lost nothing - They will probably feel similarly about you, and will probably move out at the end of lease. Living with someone you already have a connection with gets a little more tricky - if you decide you don't like living with them, you may end up losing a friend.

Basically, I feel Craig's List, or something along those lines is the way to go, but the selection process is not something to be taken lightly. Best of luck! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

cynthiaj777

I've had 3 roommates from Craigslist. Just resigned the lease with 2 of them. One is going on 2 years with me and the other going on 3 years with me.

I've had no problem. You just have to pick the RIGHT one from the replies. I sure did interview some weird *kitten* people, though. One dude asked if he could put his face on my cat to determine if he was allergic to her. Ummm, no. NEXT!

ChgingMe

Rent the movie. Single White Female and get back to us...

Angie_Fritts

No way!

vodkoffee

My friends have been fine. State in your ad that you will be running a background check on the person. And do it. But even mentioning it should help scare off any creepers.

HeatherDee92

Try the website called roomster; It may cost money initially, but you will have a safer bet!

VeggieKidMandy

haha nah way too many sketchy people

Cliffslosinit

Just do your homework, interviews, etc.
If they say "bend over I think I love you", that's a keeper right there!

Punkedpoetess

I like Craigslist for finding places to live. Have had great luck in that area with Craigslist. Also got one of my cats off of Craigslist over six years ago as a kitten and he is the best cat ever. However, the one time I got a roommate off of Craigslist ended up being my last roommate ever. She was an alcoholic and almost broke me and my husband (then boyfriend) up for good, long story.