How to Find Senior Roommates Near Me

It seems that older singles are finding common ground on a growing trend. More and more Boomers and seniors (especially women), whether they’re longtime friends or complete strangers, are opting to move in together. Why? Well, with continued inflation, increasing healthcare and housing costs, and longer life expectancies, shared housing is just a practical and cost-effective solution. Not to mention there are plenty of physical and emotional benefits that come from roommates sharing household duties and friendship! If you’re also considering this lifestyle change, there are various resources available to guide you through the process! Here’s everything you need to know about finding senior roommates near you.

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Where to Look for Senior Roommates

Depending on your preferences and resources, there are several ways to find senior roommates near you. Here are a few options:

Retirement or Active Adult Communities

Many retirement communities offer roommate matching services, where you can fill out a questionnaire about your lifestyle, interests, and preferences and then get matched with compatible roommates. Search for retirement communities in your area to get started.

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Online Directories

Several online directories specialize in senior roommate matching and shared housing. These websites allow you to create a profile, search for roommates by location and criteria, communicate with potential matches, and track your agreements. Here are a few to try:

Additionally, you can begin your search in the Senior Resource Shared Housing directory! There are hundreds of listings to browse, and additional resources to help you on your journey.

Social Media

You can also use social media platforms like Facebook or Nextdoor to post about your interest in finding a roommate or to join existing groups for senior living, home sharing, or caregiving. Make sure to read the group rules and privacy settings before sharing any personal information.

How to Vet Potential Roommates

Once you’ve identified a potential candidate (or maybe even a few), it’s essential to take the next step and set up an interview and home visit. This is an opportunity to get to know each other better and determine if your personalities and lifestyles align. After all, you want to ensure that you’ll be compatible living together.

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During the interview and home visit, have an open and honest discussion about expectations. This includes topics like household chores, shared expenses, and any house rules that need to be established. It’s important to address these matters upfront to prevent any misunderstandings or conflicts down the road.

Conducting background and credit checks can provide an added sense of security. Services like TenantReports.com offer easy and affordable options to help you gather information about your potential housemate’s history.

What to Charge for Rent

One of the benefits of having a senior roommate is that you can share the cost of housing and utilities, saving you a lot of money in the long run. However, it’s important to agree on a fair and affordable rent that reflects the market value of the property and the services provided. Here are some factors to consider:

Location: The rent may vary depending on the location of the property, such as a suburban area versus a downtown area.
Size: The rent may also depend on the size and condition of the property, such as a one-bedroom apartment versus a two-bedroom house.
Amenities: The rent may also reflect the amenities provided, such as access to a garage, a pool, a gym, or a laundry room (if you’re sharing a home in a retirement community).
Expenses: The rent may also cover some or all of the expenses, such as internet, cable, electricity, water, gas, and maintenance.

Exchanging Benefits Instead of Rent

In some cases, senior roommates may choose to exchange benefits instead of paying rent, especially if one of them needs assistance with things like cleaning, shopping, or transportation. Here are some examples of benefits you can offer or receive:

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Caregiving: If one of you has caregiving skills or experience, you can offer to assist the other with daily tasks, such as preparing meals, doing laundry, or running errands.
Transportation: If one of you has a car and a driver’s license, you can offer to give the other a ride to appointments, events, or shopping.
Home Repairs: If one of you is handy, you can offer to fix any issues with the property, such as plumbing, painting, or gardening.

How to Find Senior Roommates Near Me

Finding the right senior roommate can be a life-changing experience for older adults who want to stay independent, social, and financially stable. We hope this guide has provided you with helpful tips and insights on how to get started. For more information, check out the following: