If you’re moving into your first NY apartment, there are plenty of decisions to make. You have to decide what neighborhood you’d like to live in, what your monthly rental budget is, what features of an apartment are important to you, how to go about finding an apartment and more. One of the biggest decisions you have to make is whether or not to live with a roommate and who that roommate should be. Having a roomie can be a great bonus for many reasons, so if you do decide to share your space with someone, here are some handy tips to help you figure out how to find a roommate for your first NYC apartment.
Benefits of Having a Roommate
Living alone can be great but there are also plenty of benefits to sharing an apartment with a roommate. For starters, it can cut the cost of your rent down considerably. According to Rent Jungle, the average listing for a one-bedroom apartment in NYC is around $2,700, while two bedrooms average about $3,469. That means that between two people, you’d be paying about $1,000 less, on average. Roommates also just make great company, especially if you like to have more activity in your home. Plus, you get to share housekeeping and maintenance duties with them and can even chip in together for things like groceries and housing supplies to further cut down on costs.
Ways to Find a Roommate
The most obvious way to find a roommate is to ask around to see if anyone you know, or friends of friends are looking for an apartment at the same time as you. You might know some people who are coming to the end of their lease and want a new situation or who are moving to the city at the same time as you. Social networks like Facebook can be super helpful in advertising your hunt for a roommate. If you don’t know of anyone personally, you can check online sites like Craigslist. Look in the “Housing Wanted” section to find people who would like to hunt for an apartment with you or in the “Rooms/shared” section to find people who have available rooms in their apartment.
What to Look for in a Roommate
The ideal roommate obviously varies for every person. But there are some basic factors you should both consider before agreeing to move in together. Consider some of the following questions:
- Do they keep a tidy home?
- Do they have the same schedule as you or very different hours?
- Do they spend a lot of time at home?
- Do they have friends over often?
- Are they very outgoing or introverted?
- Will they be respectful of your space and belongings?
- Do they have a lot of furniture and belongings to bring to the apartment?
These are just a few basic questions to consider. Try to think about what qualities are ideal for you in a living situation and if your potential roommate can live up to them.
Avoiding Sticky Situations
Lastly, when you’re choosing a roommate, especially one who you don’t know personally, it’s important to remember that you are becoming financially intertwined with them. If both of your names are going on the lease, that means that if they can’t pay the rent, it falls back on you, and vice versa. So you want to make sure that you have at least a basic sense of the person’s background, income and general responsibility when it comes to managing their lives and finances. You can ask for references or ask a few basic questions just to get more familiar with them. At the end of the day, always trust your instincts.
Once you find a roommate, contact No Fee Rentals. They have apartments in some of the most sought after NYC neighborhoods that are perfect for sharing!
Café Grumpy: One of my favorite places to get coffee! You definitely won’t be grumpy after stopping by here. PS you can get their beans to go! Located at 13 Essex Street.
Russ & Daughters Café: The perfect mix of a modern and old world charm. I highly recommend ordering a bagel and lox, with a bloody mary. Located at 127 Orchard Street.
Cheeky Sandwiches: Simple menu with good prices, this lunch spot has awesome sandwiches and an easy going vibe which keeps bringing us New Yorkers back for more! Located at 35 Orchard Street.
The Lowline: If you are looking for some place SUPER COOL and SUPER FUN to go relax, check out the Lowline, a glimpse into Manhattan’s underworld meets nature. Located at 140 Essex Street.
Old Man Hustle: This throwback bar is great. Please know, it is NOT a dive bar but their happy hour specials? OMG. $5 Beer and a shot. That, my friends, is a good step to getting through the work week. Located at 39 Essex Street.
Goa Taco: This foodies paradise is known to be one of, if not the best taco joint in NYC. Try the lamb taco or the pork belly (tons of yelp reviews raving about it). Note there is limited seating, so don’t come with a big group. *Date Night* Located at 79 Delancey Street.
The Late Late: While the Lower East Side has pretty much an endless supply of fun bars, the funnest of them all has to be The Late Late. Playing childhood jams mixed with the top dance tracks of today this sophisticated hang will be your new go-to spot. Located at 135 E Houston Street.