Living in Chicago has its perks. You have beautiful Lake Michigan, stunning architecture, fun cultural events, delicious food, sports culture and a large transportation system all at your fingertips. However, rent comes at a steep price. For this reason, a practical way to live in the Windy City is with a roommate.
Whether you’re renting a home or apartment, a roommate can offer companionship, savings and convenience. You want to make sure you find one that is compatible, which can help you avoid headaches and financial issues down the road. Read on to learn how to find a roommate in Chicago.
Tap Into Your Network
Talk to your family, friends and colleagues to see if anyone is looking to split rent. Living with family or friends has its pros and cons. If you want to avoid living with one of your best friends, ask your close network for any roommate leads. They may know a friend or colleague who is also on the lookout for a new housemate. This can be a good alternative to asking someone not in your circle.
Utilize Roommate-Matching Resources
Another way to search for a potential housemate is through online resources. For example, there are many apps and roommate finders in large cities that can help you find your roomie. For most of these resources, the basic service is free to use. However, matching with a roommate may require a fee. Most of these apps let you swipe through potential roommates and message them.
Additionally, you can join Facebook groups to find a new roommate. Try searching keywords such as “Chicago” and “roommate” or “housing” to explore various groups. Once you join and are accepted into a group, you can post about your living situation, what you’re looking for and your budget.
Conduct Interviews
Once you have a list of potential roommates, meet with them in person at a neutral location. You can even bring a friend with you to make the situation as safe as possible. Ask each candidate some basic questions and make sure that he or she aligns with your lifestyle, location and expenses. Take your time with the process. You can even meet with a potential roommate more than once, as well as conduct a background check to ensure he or she is a good fit.
Good questions to ask potential roomies:
- Why are you looking for a roommate?
- How will you pay for rent?
- What is your daily schedule like?
- How do you spend your weekends?
- Do you own any pets?
Sign a Roommate Agreement
After interviewing the individual and discussing the logistics regarding insurance, utilities and other details, it’s time to sign the roommate agreement. This document may not be legally binding. However, you can refer to it if any issues arise and have a common starting point from which to work.
Finding a new roommate takes time, but it’s worth it to feel comfortable with your living situation. If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Chicago, Mo2 Properties can help. Browse our available rentals today or reach out to us to learn more.