Using Craigslist to Find an Apt Share in NYC

My East Village apt rocks (big, cheap, great location, cool roomies). Huzzah. I found it through craigslist — actually, my roomie found me — and since a couple of apt hunters I know have asked, here's my advice for finding a cool share via craigslist...

Use CL as a last resort. I still say avoid craigslist if possible. Tell everyone you know that you're looking for a share. Try to convince someone from out of town to move to NYC. Post bulletins on friendster, myspace, etc. A friend of a friend is better than a random.

Dump it. Be willing to get rid of stuff. If you can fit all your belongings into a single bedroom you'll be a contender for apts that have an open room but are otherwise furnished.

Start on offense. First, post a listing of your own describing you and what you're looking for in an apt/roomie (go here: https://post.craigslist.org/nyc/H/sha). Repost it every few days.

Spell it out. Be really descriptive in your post. You want to know a lot about your potential roomie and chances are the feeling is mutual. Too many people offer generic, brief bits. If you post a long message that says specifically what you want to find in a place/roomie and who you are and what you're like to live with, you'll do better.

Make a funny. Crack a joke and/or keep the tone light. The apt search can be stressful so make sure you don't come off sounding like an uptight prick (unless you wanna live with an uptight prick).

Work it. Hype the stuff that's good about you: Are you a great cook? Love to clean? Out of town on business all the time? Shout it from the mountaintop.

Be a little naughty. Admit something bad. Maybe you're a little bit sloppy or you like to smoke weed or whatever. Be upfront about it and the potential roomie is more likely to trust the rest of what you say. Don't overdo it though — wait until you've moved in before you reveal your sick fetishes, that you deal, or that you're a Republican.

What do you dig? Talk about bands you think rock or movies you dig or that you love Jon Stewart or other stuff that you think will help get across who you are as a person. My rocker roomie wrote to me 'cuz my post mentioned that I like Bowie, the Velvets, and Spinal Tap.

Cut and paste is your friend. Now that you've got a good description together, search through the posts from people who are offering housing here: http://newyork.craigslist.org/roo/. When you find a potential match, send them an email that includes the description you used in your own post (send the actual description and not just a link). Your detailed message will put you way ahead of the 10 other schmoes who respond with "Hey...place sounds good. Still avail?" Plus, you'll eliminate people who don't wanna live with your smoking or cats or late hours or working from home or whatever.

Rinse and repeat. Check back every few days since new stuff shows up all the time. Advance planning won't really help since most people only seem to post a week or two before they need someone. Narrowing your hunt down by neighborhood and price range will save you some time. If you find something promising, see it quick.

Don't expect to find a best friend. Be happy with someone you can simply live with. Acquantaince roomies are just fine as long as they don't piss you off or make you feel uncomfortable in your own home.

Hang with 'em. Find a decent match? Sure, check out the apt but also try and hang out with the person. Go out for a drink and meet their friends if at all possible. Bring a friend along with you too (non-threatening females work best). Sniff around each other and dig for dirt (i.e. "What'll be the worst thing about living with you?").

Trust your gut. If you get a sketchy vibe, bail. Crashing on a friend's couch for a few weeks is better than living with some creep who pawns your stuff or sniffs your panties (especially if you're a guy).

Happy hunting.

2/17/2005 | Permalink |