best ways to find a roommate in another city?

[jcm12]

Other than Craigslist.org, what are some cheap ways to find a roommate?

[Ederratic]

Do you know anybody in that city yet? The best way I've found is through the friend/acquaintence network. Ask them to ask around their network on your behalf if anybody is looking for a roomie. If not you can try roommates.com but it feels more like a dating service than roommate hookup service.

[winneythepooh7]

I also say the networking stuff helps. Plus you might find someone you have more in common with this way as well. For example, I belong to several GLO alumnae listservs and they post emails on occasion of people looking for roommates. I also belong to another one for women who are in their 20's and 30's in NYC looking to make new friends. I do not belong to a church but some of my co-workers in the past when I was looking said people our age often find roommates this way. You could also ask around at work. You never know.............Good luck! Finding a roomate can be a bitch, I know!

[sundaycomics]

I have done this 4 times, and my first roommate in another city is one of my bridesmaids. The first time I met her was when I moved in, but we talked online first, and she sent her first rent check to me. I had her to that to make sure that a) it didn't bounce and b) the info on the check matched with everything she said. Needless to say she was legit. :)

Here's what I did:

www.roommateaccess.com
www.roommates.com
www.easyroommate.com
www.roommatelocator.com
www.roommateclick.com
www.rent.com

It does feel like a dating service, but when you think about it that makes sense. :)

There are more if you do a Google search. I would recommend posting on about 5 of them, if not more. Chances are it will be all the same people but you never know.

Also most of these places charge you to actually see people's info. I've gotten around that by using my AIM name as my user name and saying so in my profile so people can IM me. That's worked decently well but it's not perfect.

[jcm12]

yea, I signed up on roommates.com and unless I can find a good one through craigslist, I'm going to pay for 1 subscription and get a roommate. I've been getting spammed with some decent offers from roommates.com, and I think i'll find one pretty easy there.

[jrwilheim]

Another way to network might be to contact your college alumni organization. If the alumni network has a group in the city you're moving to, you might be able to ask them if they know of anyone looking. Some alumni groups also have online bulletin boards where ads for jobs, apartments, roommates, etc., can be posted. It's worth a look.

[NotWithoutMyCat]

Other than Craigslist.org, what are some cheap ways to find a roommate?

Just wanted to say hello from Austin! I hope your move goes well!