Sometimes the best roommate is only a click away

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner | August 4, 2015 - 3:59PM

Whether you’re new to the city or simply don’t make enough to cover the ridiculously high cost of NYC apartments, you’re probably going to need a roommate. But how do you find one? The websites below make finding a new roomie as easy as pointing and clicking.

Symbi
Described by its founders as “Match.com for the roommate world,” this site pairs apartment-seekers up for free. Simply fill out a questionnaire with info on everything from your sleep schedule to your cleaning habits, and the site will find you a match.

Diggz
Just enter some basic information into the site—which focuses on the five boroughs, Jersey City and Hoboken—and the site’s proprietary algorithm will show you 10 people who match your criteria. You can then “like” folks you plan on contacting, and reach out anonymously.

SpareRoom
Users can post ads or browse rooms in all five boroughs (as well as Long Island and New Jersey) for free (although upgrades are available starting at $9.99 a week). For those who’d rather meet a roommate in person, SpareRoom hosts free SpeedRoommating events every week, alternating between The Royal in the East Village and The Montrose in Park Slope.

Craigslist
Despite the occasional horror story, Craigslist is still a popular place to find a roommate. Just make sure you take some safety precautions when meeting anyone you’ve contacted through the site. Always insist on getting together in a public place. Always carry your cell phone. And never ever invite strangers into your home.

Note: We've recently discovered that LeaseBreak, a website that connects New Yorkers with tenants looking to break their leases, has also branched out to apartment shares. So that's another one you may want to check out if you want to move in with someone and would prefer to avoid Craiglist).

For more roommate websites, read “Find a Roommate Online: 12 Websites That’ll Do the Heavy Lifting For You.”

In Case You Missed It: Every so often, BrickUnderground digs through the archives to find the best advice our experts have shared through the years.

The Insider’s Guide to ‘Speed Roommating’

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