Shared Housing for Seniors and Retirees: Where Do I Start?
If you’re a senior or retiree living on your own, then shared housing might be the perfect option to consider! What is shared housing? It’s simply when two or more people live together, sharing rent and other responsibilities.
Not sure where to start? Here are 4 steps to get you going!
1. Decide what you’re looking for in a roommate.
How much help do you need around the house? Are you planning on splitting rent and utilities right down the middle? Are pets a deal-breaker? Before you even begin looking for a roommate, you should have an idea of what you’re looking for! Here’s a quick list of considerations to work off of:
- Lifestyle – what are your preferences for a comfortable environment?
- Cleanliness – think about your standards of “clean.”
- Financial responsibilities – how do you prefer to split bills? Grocery costs?
- Household responsibilities – cooking, cleaning, yard work, etc.
- Pets – yay or nay?
- Guests – what do you feel is a reasonable time for guests to leave?
2. Ask for roommate recommendations from family, friends, or within your community.
Maybe you know somebody who knows somebody who is also looking for a shared housing situation. Ask friends and family to get you connected! Or, try asking around in a community setting like church.
Related: 5 Benefits Of Intergenerational Home Sharing For Seniors
3. Use a shared housing placement service.
In recent years, shared housing amongst the senior population has grown in popularity. For this reason, there are now numerous home share services popping up! Try these:
4. Interview.
Yes – you get to interview your potential roommate before moving in. And, yes – it’s completely reasonable to ask for references and even perform background checks (shared housing services will probably do that for you). When conducting your interview, be clear about expectations, and make sure to talk about everything from step number one!
Are you looking for shared housing opportunities?
Do you need help with retirement planning? Then check out Bob Carlson’s Retirement Watch!
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Originally published August 25, 2022
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