First, you need to find a compatible roommate. Your roommate matching profile is how you'll begin your process you'll likely find self-explanatory.

All metros we serve are below; click each for more including average roommate rent. Roommate advice for everyone immediately follows with roomiematch.com anti-scam guidelines at the end.

Albuquerque,  Anchorage,  Athens,  Atlanta,  Austin,  Baltimore,  Bangor,  Baton Rouge,  Birmingham,  Boise,  Boston,  Boulder,  Buffalo,  Burlington,  Calgary,  Charleston,  Charlotte,  Cheyenne,  Chicago,  Cincinnati,  Cleveland,  College Station,  Colorado Springs,  Columbia (SC),  Columbus,  Dallas or Fort Worth,  Denver,  Des Moines,  Detroit,  Edmonton,  Fargo,  Gainesville,  Grand Rapids,  Hartford,  Indianapolis,  Halifax or Dartmouth,  Honolulu,  Houston,  Jackson,  Jacksonville,  Kansas City,  Knoxville,  Las Vegas,  Little Rock,  Los Angeles,  Louisville,  Madison,  Manchester,  Memphis,  Miami or Fort Lauderdale,  Milwaukee,  Minneapolis or St. Paul,  Montreal,  Nashville,  New Haven or Bridgeport,  New Brunswick,  New Orleans,  Newark,  Norfolk,  NYC-Brooklyn,  NYC-The Bronx,  NYC-Manhattan,  NYC-Queens,  NYC-Staten Island,  Oklahoma City,  Omaha,  Ottawa,  Orange County,  Orlando,  Pensacola,  Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh,  Phoenix or Tempe,  Portland (Maine),  Portland (Oregon),  Providence,  Raleigh or Durham or Chapel Hill,  Reno,  Richmond,  Sacramento,  Salem or Eugene,  Salt Lake City,  San Antonio,  San Diego,  San Francisco,  San Jose,  Santa Fe,  Seattle,  Sioux Falls,  Spokane,  St. Louis,  Syracuse,  Tacoma,  Tallahassee,  Tampa or St. Petersburg,  Toronto,  Tucson,  Tulsa,  Vancouver,  Washington D.C.,  Wichita,  Winnipeg,  Worcester 

the average roommate rents above refer to . . .

. . . 1/2 the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in that city. Not just for those seeking roommates on this site, the city's average. While sharing a 2-bedroom apartment is obviously not the only possible roommate situation, it is the most common and a good general average.

Luxury accommodations, a central location, and/or a trendy neighborhood will tend to cost more.

If you find a housing share with 4 or more roommates, expect the rent to be a little less. However, larger homes or apartments with 4 or more bedrooms occupied only by renting roommates are not that common.

If you can't pay at least the average, you'll probably need more time, because you won't have as many options as someone willing to pay the going rate. You should also expect a less central location and fewer amenities. Similarly, if you have the place to share and plan to charge more, you should expect it will take longer to find someone willing to pay that.

regarding your city's average roommate rent . . .

. . . we've had some exclaiming, "But you see, my place is really worth a lot more because it's better/safer/larger/more beautiful/has so many amenities! So I should charge a LOT more than average!"

We're certainly not saying you CAN'T do that. You can certainly TRY to charge as much as you like.

However, no matter how nice your place is, most room seekers still want to save money, not spend as much as possible.

What you're offering is actually "worth" in the minds of most is what your local roommate market will bear, or what you can get someone to pay to live there. For most, this won't be much more than average.

If you think your place is extremely nice, many roommate seekers will probably agree! This may mean you can charge a BIT more than average, and you'll probably get your "pick" of roommates.

However, if you're trying to charge a LOT more than the going rate for half a 2-bedroom share, most will automatically rule you out, will never be matched with you, and will stick to possibilities that are more typical price-wise, and more budget-friendly.

On average, more rent = more time. Less rent = more folks will be interested = less time.

If you're looking for help paying a very large mortgage, you'd more easily find eager roommates if you rented more than one room in your home, then charged each roommate less.

If you're someone who is offering part of a rental to share that may be overpriced, you may want to consider moving as well as sharing your current abode. (You could have profiles active for both situations, and just end up living wherever sounds most appealing.)

lots of great details . . .

. . . will really help, about yourself and/or the room you're offering. Our profiles make it as easy as possible, but you should still share some additional unique details.

Room seekers like information and appealing features. Neglecting to give them any will damage your response rate.

Don't sell yourself short!

Don't remind anyone of their High School Vice Principal.

A lot of homeowners feel strongly that they want their property respected. No damages under any circumstances! This is understandable, and certainly not a problem in and of itself.

However, if "laying down the law" is ALL you have to say, to the total and complete exclusion of ANY other details or features, it can be unappealing.

You DO want to make your needs known and keep your place nice. We get that.

But if all you've got for potential roommates is a litany of what they better not do or else, with nothing friendly or appealing to balance that out . . . well . . . you'll seem like a stereotypical High School Vice Principal.

Potential roommates will not be lining up to see your place, no matter how nice or well-located it is. They'll usually pick folks that seem more relaxed.

If you've got a lot of rules, just get a little levity into the mix. Show them your non-High-School-V.P. side too.

pets as roommates too . . .

. . . will often narrow your options. Some places simply can't accept pets due to landlord rules or the allergies of existing residents. However, we're not suggesting you abandon yours!

What pet owners should do:

• Start roommate seeking earlier to allow for the additional time it may take you.
• Realize there may be an additional deposit required, and budget accordingly.
• Emphasize good stuff about your pet in your profile and when talking to potential roommates, like very well-behaved?
• Attended obedience school?
• Very low-maintenance, and/or you'll be consistently available for all your pet's needs?
• Gets along with others very well?
• You'll do a great job cleaning up after your pet?
• You'll accept all responsibility for any damages your pet might cause?

Make it as easy as possible for potential roommates to understand your pet will not compromise their lifestyle or their abode in any important way, and/or that you'll fix it if it does.

I won't be home much . . .

. . . is not as effective for scoring reduced rent in as many situations as many room seekers seem to think. A notable exception might be those that already own their homes, and can be a little more flexible on the rent they charge. Then, a frequent traveler as a roommate may be appealing. It MAY even result in reduced rent.

However, for those looking to share their rental, it likely doesn't matter.

Fellow renters have a number of non-negotiable bills, and usually need to fill that roommate slot with someone that will shoulder them equally. Your potential non-presence may be appealing, but it won't change their financial situation.

This doesn't mean those looking for a reduced rent to be mostly absentee can't find it. It does mean you should understand this sort of roommate situation will be more unusual, and start looking earlier to allow for the additional time it may take you.

Pay attention to our Roommate Behavior Ratings.

You DO want to determine how compatible you and a potential new roommate will be, BEFORE moving in.

You'll be happiest with roommates with higher percentage matches.

Better Roommate Behavior Ratings predict happier outcomes . . . instead of sob stories about roommates from hell. A little attention paid to compatibility NOW will save you major grief LATER.

Usually the best roommate for you is someone that's similar to you on some important Roommate Behavior Rating factors. You may be a very open-minded person. BUT, there's a difference between tolerating or even appreciating folks different from yourself out in the rest of the world -- and having those folks currently disco dancing in your living room when you're a light sleeper who needs to be at work in 3 hours.

Or, vice versa -- you need to disco dance in your living room until dawn but your cranky roommate constantly yells at you to turn it down. Then, extrapolate for practically any household situation: messiness, bill-paying, overnight guests, alcohol consumption, shared items, etc.

Our Roommate Behavior Ratings cover these things and more. If you can't be bothered to care now, you'll most likely WISH you had later . . . when you're spending a lot more time looking again much sooner than necessary, or suffering through a bad roommate choice.

contact desirable roommates ASAP!

Check your email often and contact compatible roommates ASAP!

We keep our database as current as humanly possible, but each day you fail to respond to a good roommate match is a day less likely they will still be available.

Roommate seeking is a "you snooze, you lose" proposition! If you don't stay on the ball, your good roommate match may settle for someone else first.

Many also provide phone numbers, you may want to use those too.

free your mind from tired demographic stereotypes

Be as open-minded as you possibly manage on basic demographics like gender, age, and sexual orientation. Most of the time, basic demographic details do NOT affect the overall roommate experience as much as less experienced roommate seekers imagine they will.

Do NOT be so open-minded on actual roommate behaviors that are important to you, behaviors that might actually affect YOUR lifestyle and overall well-being.

But you will be better off if you avoid relying on tired, outdated stereotypes on the basic demographics.

For example, some claim they'd rather roommate with women because they're allegedly tidier. Whether or not that's true in any completely average way, those who've actually lived with multiple roommates of both genders usually report some very tidy men and some women whose impact on an apartment was like a small tornado.

If tidiness (or anything else, fill-in-the-blank here) is what you're after, look at that specific question on the profile.

Don't rely on stereotypes. They're often inaccurate and you don't have to rely on them with our Roommate Behavior Ratings.

reconsider "youth" as a restriction

Many roommate seekers insist they'll only consider those who are financially responsible, economically reliable, over the "party hearty" stage when at home, clean, responsible, mature, honest, respectful, independent, quiet, stable, trustworthy, without "drama," etc.

And THEN, after that lengthy list of maturity specifications . . . they also insist they only want to hear from those under 30.

Nope, not saying only those over 30 are "mature" in those ways. Not at all. Also not saying absolutely everyone over 30 is "mature" in all those ways either.

But roommates under 30 that are mature? They're definitely going against stereotype.

If mature behavior is important to you, you'd do best to at least CONSIDER roommates in other age ranges too.

Meanwhile, considering a range certainly won't rule out roommates that are very young AND very mature. You'd just be expanding your possibilities and upping your chances of actually finding a compatible roommate in the near future.

If you want someone willing to live near kids appropriately, you'll do much better to consider all age ranges as well. Same goes for married couples looking to rent rooms.

Even if you're young or very "youthful" yourself, your entire social life doesn't have to revolve around your roommate, you know. Your social life -- as well as the rest of your life -- may prove less stressful if you and your roommates engage in any "youthful" hijinks primarily outside your home.

It may ultimately prove refreshing to come home from your night of carousing and NOT have to wonder why there's a young man you've never met before passed out on your sofa, or half a pineapple pizza in your tub.

Men, don't be CREEPY!

Extra especially if you'd like women to consider roommating with you. Dudes who want to be CREEPY should probably stick with other dudes. (More of an level playing field.)

Almost all women looking for roommates fear the possibility of ending up with a man that would "hit on" them, make inappropriate sexual advances, unwanted sexual comments, etc. In short, be CREEPY.

Most women have endured something like that sometime someplace, some situation where they were repeatedly exposed to some guy who was repeatedly expressing interest they repeatedly did not reciprocate. That situation was uncomfortable and CREEPY.

Women on a roommate site want to avoid that interpersonal hell. If they wanted to be on a dating site, they'd be on a dating site ALREADY, there are certainly enough of them out there. Roommate seeking is entirely different, and they are hoping other roommate seekers will respect that.

Some women are so terrified of even the POSSIBILITY of getting stuck with a CREEPY man that they will refuse in advance to roommate with ANY man.

Other women are a bit less terrified, and will at least consider roommating with a man, but will take that into consideration on a "case by case" basis.

Now then, if you're one of those guys who might like to be considered by a less fearful woman on that "case by case" basis . . . how might it look if you are heterosexual and say you ONLY want to live with women? Or even worse, only SPECIFICALLY HETEROSEXUAL women? What might she think when she reads that? If you're really and truly not planning to "hit on" your roommate . . . why MUST she be a woman? Or even furthermore, a woman AND heterosexual?

For many women, that just won't pass the "smell test."

Women willing to roommate with heterosexual men, even women who WANT to roommate with heterosexual men, will still have their Creep Detector on High Alert. Men should keep that in mind at all times.

Sometimes a guy will say something he considers lighthearted to a woman, just something he thinks will break the ice, etc. “We could share a room to save on expenses, heh heh heh.” That guy will imagine his casual joke was clearly harmless.

Meanwhile, that woman has already hit the delete button on that guy's profile.

He'll wonder why she never wrote him back. She'll not only never write him back, she'll now be wondering if all men should be avoided as roommates.

So guys, don’t even go near CREEPY. Don't even drive by the ballpark of CREEPY. Stay far, far, FAR away.

Don't drop the ball with poor social skills.

Our detailed profiles make it as easy as humanly possible to describe yourself in a thorough, yet friendly way to other roommate seekers.

However, while we'll carry you as far as possible, we do have to hand off the social transaction when you make contact. You will have to complete the play from there. If you "drop the ball" with your own social skills (lack of?), you'll find it more difficult to score a roommate.

To put this another way, roommate seeking is certainly NOT the same thing as romantic "personals" or dating. (In fact, if we think YOU think roommate = date, we'll delete your profile.)

But while seduction isn't the goal, don't go entirely too far in the opposite direction either.

It IS still a personal interaction where you will be judged on roommate-related desirability. You do need to try to be at least a LITTLE bit appealing. If you fail to impress other roommate seekers that you'll be at least tolerable interpersonally, they'll pick someone else.

You'll likely be more successful if you "mind your manners."

Present yourself in as flattering a light as possible. Be friendly, nice, and polite. Profanity or other vulgar language may be perfectly acceptable to you, but understand it may NOT be to others.

Use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation to sound as intelligent, educated and sane as possible.

Make your initial communication as interesting and detailed as possible, something that would likely invite a response. "hey i saw yer ad and im writing cuz i need a room," may not qualify as inviting for many.

First impressions mean a lot to many people. To the extent you do not make a good one, your response rate will suffer accordingly.

the cool friend = great roommate pitfall

. . . can be seriously bad news. Why we have the Roommate Behavior Ratings, to help our subscribers keep reality in focus when choosing roommates.

You shouldn't roommate with anyone whose freetext repulses you. No way. Nor should you roommate with anyone if you absolutely despise anything else on their profile. Certainly not.

But a lot of roommate seekers make the mistake of picking people who just sound "cool" or "fun" to them, someone with whom they think they'd like to barhop.

Unfortunately, cool friends don't necessarily = great roommates.

Behaviors you enjoy or tolerate in fun friends may NOT be the same ones you really need from a roommate. Many now ex-roommates found this out the hard way, and many friendships met harsh deaths as a direct result. Even if you'd be friends otherwise, if you're not compatible as roommates, it's not likely you'd end up friends anyway.

It's more likely you'll end up hating each other's guts.

Failure to pay the electric bill? Everyone's in the dark now? That carefree lack of responsibility that's so hilarious in a non-cohabiting acquaintance can suddenly seem much less so when you're now also in the dark at the end of a long day.

You may party like there's no tomorrow when you actually choose to go out on the town, but require your homebase be more peaceful when you finally return and need a little sleep. That friend you thought was such a riot during your last pubcrawl? You may find them substantially less hysterical when they bring the party and all the party people home on a night you'd hoped to relax.

Or, conversely, if you want bring home whoever whenever on whichever impulsive whim, a roommate with a conservative lifestyle is going to cramp yours.

The best roommate relationships work well due to ROOMMATE-related behavioral compatibility. Many roommate relationships that work well as roommate relationships often eventually lead to good friendships as well.

If you and your new compatible roommate form a great friendship TOO, that'll just be bonus.

But if you don't get along AS roommates, the home life will eventually suck. And you'll end up hating your roommate. Really. A lot.

Pay attention to the Roommate Behavior Ratings, at least on the stuff you care about the most.

tobacco smoking vs. roommate seeking

Smokers who insist on smoking indoors at the collective abode will usually take longer to be successfully matched. True for those with places to share as well as those looking to move.

If you smoke and need a new roommate as quickly as possible, we recommend willingness to smoke outdoors only at the residence, if you think that's possible for you. (And also indicating that on your profile to get more matches.) If not, please realize it will probably take longer, as you will have fewer options.

Some roommates will rule out ANY tobacco smoker, so smokers will never be matched with them.

But a larger group, including many non-smokers, won't care nearly as much if you're willing to keep the smoke outside only -- porches, balconies, yards, fire escapes, etc.

roadmap with roommates ahead of time

Many inexperienced roommate seekers describe themselves as easy to get along with, chill, easygoing, laidback, etc., and looking for similar.

However, their views on exactly what that consists of are rarely shared by as many as they initially imagine.

Before finalizing any new roommate arrangement, have a detailed discussion about the issues most important to you. We recommend our roommate roadmap.

Draw up a written agreement about conduct on those issues, have everyone sign a copy, and keep it handy. This will lay the groundwork for getting along longer-term.

It's also a red flag if someone balks at making such an agreement, or if you have extreme difficulty working out what the collective rules should be.

It is a lot easier if you're compatible in advance on most roommate behavior issues, and that's the reason for our Roommate Behavior Ratings. However, even if you are quite compatible, it's still best to make things extra clear before taking yourself off the roommate market.

Vague may seem like the easygoing way to be in the beginning, but in the end usually just leads to massive roommate-related misunderstandings.

It's also harder to justify dissatisfaction that one of your expectations was not specifically met if it turns out you never bothered to specifically state it.

Don't assume everyone is on the same page.

Find out.

It's best to be clear on the important rules and expectations in advance, rather than get upset later about what was left vague.

How does roomiematch.com help you avoid internet roommate scammer scumbags?

Scammers, spammers, and scumbags specifically targeting roommate seekers are common.

Our actual human Scam Busters use their actual eyeballs and organic brains to review all roommate submissions.

Many get tossed in the trash.

We don't rely on our subscribers as our only reviewers, waiting to see what trash they report AFTER wading through it themselves.

We take out the trash FOR our subscribers.

We collect a lot of data, not just our actual questions, but also information from the submitter's computer and location which can only be accessed by site owners. Unlike most roommate sites, we are paying attention to this information, and actually making use of it to decide which profiles are worth accepting and which are probable scams. We have experience distinguishing real roommate seekers from the scammers and spammers - since 1998.

Meanwhile, all the screening we do against this ongoing internet roommate scourge saves you time and aggravation. It would be extremely annoying and time-wasting to have to exchange several emails with one of these scumbags before you finally realized that he/she was, in fact, a useless time-wasting scumbag.

However, it is NOT difficult to avoid becoming the FINANCIAL victim of a scam.

Is it difficult to avoid wasting your own TIME with scammers, before you're able to figure out who is who?

YES.

(If you don't use roomiematch.com)

Is it difficult to avoid losing MONEY to a scam, if you follow our roomiematch.com anti-scam guidelines?

NO.

Your own common sense coupled with our roomiematch.com anti-scam guidelines should prevent that entirely.

roomiematch.com anti-scam guidelines

We're not aware that any roommate seekers on roomiematch.com have ever fallen for any roommate scams. We work hard to keep our subscribers scam-free.

However, we're posting our roomiematch.com anti-scam guidelines as a public service.

No, nothing here is reason for widespread or undue panic, or non-specific worry. The vast majority of folks you could possibly meet from roomiematch.com are law-abiding citizens who are not out to illegally scam anyone.

This IS is a reminder that with roommate seeking and all of your other adult endeavors, you need to exercise good common sense. If your common sense is active and you follow our roomiematch.com anti-scam guidelines, you will NOT be financially victimized.

If someone you don't know sends you a check/money order/cashier's check for a large amount of money, do NOT ever assume it cleared your bank as a valid payment until after your bank assures you the deposit was good.

DO call your bank personally to make sure the scheduled amount actually cleared your account and was legitimately deposited. Money orders and cashier's checks are forms of immediate payment AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT FORGED. If you're not extremely familiar with the issuing bank, assume you don't know what one of theirs would look like, no matter how "official-looking" it may appear.

In addition, sending a relative stranger large amounts of money unnecessarily or as an unnecessary and unrequested "overpayment" is very odd behavior in and of itself. If someone seems to be doing something a reasonable person would find suspicious, don't trust them immediately and completely, especially with large amounts of your own money.

This is good advice for roommate seeking and really, pretty much anything else in life. Your own adult common sense should kick in here!

More specifically, the details of the most common roommate scam: Someone contacts you with an interest in renting your room, and would like to secure the room from afar by sending payment in advance. Then they spin a "Tall Tale" about how they need to send a check/cashier's check/money order for hundreds of dollars MORE than the required amount. The alleged "reasons" for this extremely odd behavior vary, but all are equally "fishy" and should arouse suspicion in and of themselves. After you receive the "payment," you must immediately and with great urgency and speed (meaning, before your bank would be able to completely process the "deposit" and inform you it was bogus) refund them their "balance" by getting it back to them somehow. Probably, they'd like you to mail them one of your own legitimate checks back, or send them the "balance" via wire service, etc.

The big scam turns out to be that the payment they sent is FORGED, so the money you sent back as their "balance/refunded amount" just comes out of your own pocket. And then you never see or hear from this would-be roommate ever again.

If any potential roommate says anything vaguely like the above to you, tell them you don't want ANY form of payment that's for more than the amount required for first month's rent, deposit, etc. Not a dollar more than the minimum required to secure the room. Let them know as well that if they ignore your request and send more than the amount required anyway for any reason whatsoever, you'll not be able to refund them any balance until:



1.  Your bank has assured you the payment cleared, and this applies to cashier's checks and money orders as well as personal checks

2.  They can pick up their balance in person whenever they're ready to move in with you. You'll not be refunding any "balances" long distance, only IN PERSON.

If whomever is a legitimate room seeker, they should have no problem with either, and you can tell them roomiematch.com said so.

If they do have a problem and/or continue insisting upon some ridiculous scenario along the lines of that described above, let us know about it immediately and we'll delete their profile.

We are also constantly on the lookout for this and any other suspicious behavior, but we'd appreciate your assistance as well if you notice something we somehow did not. By this we do mean someone on roomiematch.com, and we would need the email address of that subscriber and a copy of the email they sent you with the offending details.

(We don't need you to forward along the latest internet gossip about this, just specific details if you think someone in OUR database is attempting to do something illegitimate with any of our other subscribers.)

The scenario described above is the most common we've heard. However, it's certainly not the only one possible.

More generally, if anyone does any of the below while roommate seeking, that's SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR TOO:

• unwillingness to meet with you face-to-face BEFORE any exchange of money takes place, even when you're willing to go out of your way to be available in person
• odd-sounding stories about how they can’t give you a landline phone number local to where they say they are and/or talk to you on the phone other than on a non-local cell number
• lack of references from anyplace you could verify as that number by looking it up in a commercial phone book or online equivalent
• immediate willingness, residence sight unseen in person, to pay much more than the going rate for a room or willingness to charge much less than the going rate for a room for no apparent financially sound reason -- exceptions might be if they want you to provide a service in exchange for lowered rent, nannying, cleaning, etc. --but anyone looking to hire you to perform an expensive service would certainly want to meet you in person first.
• willingness to pay multiple months in advance for a room, sight unseen in person
• insistence that you need to send them money remotely/from afar/wire/snail mail, etc., rather than a willingness to meet with you in person and accept payment then
• communication must remain solely via email on free email services (yahoo, hotmail, etc.) or via cellphone numbers that can’t be looked up and verified as to location. Communication in the beginning via these mechanisms is fine, but at some point BEFORE you give them any money they should be willing to provide you with a more direct and verifiable contact method. If they’re not willing to do that, you shouldn’t be willing to give them any money.
• insistence that they must pay you more money than required upfront, and you need to “refund” some of that with your own money. Or really, any indication of any desire to pay more money than that required upfront.
• any suggestion that you need to give them money back and/or a place to stay before their check or money order has had time to clear your bank, extra especially if they want you to do this remotely/from afar
• anyone seeking your checking account number, credit card information, or social security number. That is NOT necessary for roommate seekers.
• anyone who seems to think your roommate transaction necessarily needs to involve the use of wire services to send money, or anything involving escrow. Wire services are a good way to send and receive money anonymously. In a roommate seeking situation, that really shouldn’t be necessary, so it's a scammer red flag.

Finally, while it's obvious we take anti-roommate-scamming very seriously . . .

. . . we do NOT recommend blanket paranoia toward all roommates coming from outside your city

This has been the reaction of some to the roommate scam problem. While this reaction is understandable, it's still not rational or constructive.

Many students will be coming from outside your city to seek advanced degrees. Many will then seek roommates. Those students might be the most intellectually sophisticated, respectful, and uncomplicated roommates you'd ever hope to find, in part due to all the time they'll need to spend studying.

All that stuff we said above? Don't use any of that as an excuse to be a bigot toward roommate seekers not from your city.

Do allow yourself to be worldly and open-minded. Other doesn't necessarily = bad.

Just hold them to our roomiematch.com anti-scam guidelines, stringently!

If they don't fail them? Then they didn't fail them.

But if anyone does fail them, let us know immediately. We'll toss that trash right out.

ALBUQUERQUE

Average roommate rent in Albuquerque is $390.

Find a roommate in Albuquerque and save more than $297 per month ($3561 per year).* Albuquerque is 1980th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 81st for quality of life.**

Your Albuquerque roommate search may experience #129 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #138 in Best Places to Retire vibes and #2 in Most Dangerous Places vibes.***

Enjoy healthy outdoor activities with new Albuquerque roommates: 63rd Healthiest and 67th Best for Outdoor Activities out of 228 cities in America.****

Albuquerque neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Downtown, Eastside, Nob Hill, and Westside*****

Albuquerque's roommates are spending 44% < $ than NYC's.******

Albuquerque's largest hoodmap tags: hipsters eating in shipping containers, equestrian people, daddy bought my car, amateur wine connoisseurs, great area for a sunburn, overpriced but good views, and old people smoking in casinos.*******

Average commute = tiny (22 minutes). Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Albuquerque roommate rundown:

You'll breathe excellent quality air while enjoying gorgeous natural scenery. Just make sure to stay safe, stay out of the sun, and steer clear of those tarantulas and rattlesnakes.

Roommate rent is so low due to the abundance of affordable housing - approximately 40% renters. Albuquerque is more affordable for roommates than other major southwestern markets such as Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. It's one of the few southwestern cities left where having a pony could still be remotely affordable!

With or without a pony you'll probably still want a car. But commute times on both are next to nothing for most.

Albuquerque is unusually surrounded by retirees gambling in casinos. If that's a negative for you, just don't go there then?

Spend more time enjoying the unusually delicious and nutritious chile peppers instead.

The rest of the Albuquerque roommate lowdown:

• popular with first time home buyers as median home prices and property taxes are below the US average (more affordable for roommates)
• largest city in New Mexico - mid-sized city and a college town overall, attracting student roommates to the University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, Southwest University of Visual Arts, and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
• depending on when you want to find a roommate weather might be a consideration, very high temperatures in summer, winter temps usually in the 50s. Some say Albuquerque has two weather conditions: sunny or stormy
• rated above-average for walkability and bike-friendliness, with about 400 miles of bike lanes and walking paths. However, the public transportation options are more limited. ABQ Ride serves neighborhoods inside the city during the day, but for alternative schedules or frequent commutes roommates will probably want their own vehicles.
• tarantulas are abundant, with some state park employees giving guided tours of tarantula migrations

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Albuquerque's:

• De Anza Motor Lodge: Once a run-down hotel that would have been torn down if not for the priceless Native American murals in the basement. So the property was redeveloped as a luxury apartment complex, and you can still visit the one of a kind murals.
• Nearby Sandia Mountains: The most visible geographic feature, which occasionally get enough snow for skiing. "Sandia" is Spanish for "watermelon" and is thought to suggest their bright pink and green sunset. Sandia Peak Tramway is the country's longest aerial tram, and can take you to the 10,378-foot-tall summit for amazing views and nature trails and/or restaurants.
• Red and green chile peppers: Staples of Albuquerque cuisine, which fuses Native American and Spanish flavors
• International Balloon Fiesta: During which > 500 hot air balloons are launched over 9 days every October - hot air balloons are sighted year round in fewer numbers
• Gathering of Nations: During which >550 tribes from the US and Canada travel to Albuquerque to participate in singing and dancing competitions
• Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: Where you can learn all about the region's indigenous tribe, along with the Pueblo Montano Chainsaw Sculpture Garden
• Petroglyph National Monument: Over 7200 acres of carved images left behind by the area's first settlers
• National Museum of Nuclear Science and History: America's official atomic museum
• Cliff's Amusement Park: Featuring greasy tasty treats along with your choice of scary roller coasters or calmer carousels and trains
• Rattlesnake Museum: Live snakes, snake skeletons, snake art and of course, snake souvenirs

Here's the city of Albuquerque's official .gov for housing services & programs, which you'll hopefully never need if you choose the right roommates. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

ANCHORAGE

Average roommate rent in Anchorage is $700.

Find a roommate in Anchorage: 395th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 83rd for quality of life.**

Your Anchorage roommate search may experience #101 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #131 in Best Places to Retire vibes and #3 in Most Dangerous Places vibes.***

Enjoy healthy outdoor activities on a fine campus with new Anchorage roommates: 77th Healthiest, 77th Best for Outdoor Activities, and 64th Best Public Schools out of 228 cities in America.****

Anchorage neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Airport Heights, Basher, Bayshore/Klatt, Bear Valley, Huffman/O'Malley, Mid-Hillside, North Star, Rabbit Creek, Rogers Park, Sand Lake, South Addition, Turnagain, University Area, Taku/Campbell and Tudor Area *****

Anchorage's roommates are spending 33% < $ than NYC's.******

Anchorage's largest hoodmap tags: white people mountain biking, gentrified wannabes, los anchorage, Sand Dunes, and 3rd world with a touristy facade.*******

Average commute = tiny (18 minutes). Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Anchorage roommate rundown:

If you're from the Lower 48, freezing to death is entirely possible, although Anchorage mostly keeps warmer than the rest of Alaska due mostly to most Alaskans living mostly there. And they're hopefully very happy, because the geographic isolation means leaving is expensive!

But if Anchorage is your Winter Wonderland, who cares?

However, you probably will need to care about budgeting more for groceries and other supplies. Almost everything you can buy in Anchorage had to be flown in, but Anchorage is determined not to charge you sales tax on top of that airplane surcharge!

The rental market can be unpredictable because a large chunk consists of rooms inside owner-occupied homes becoming available unpredictably. But especially if you're from the Lower 48, it'll be helpful to move into an established residence with roommates who already know how to winter, so we recommend openness. Just give yourself as much time as possible to roommate match before moving.

The incredible abundance of paved outdoor trails mean you and your roommates can drink your morning coffee with views of mountains and glaciers and wildlife and military men and maybe even a Beluga whale! Please do so frequently to stave off seasonal depression.

The rest of the Anchorage roommate lowdown:

• Largest city in Alaska, and the westernmost and northernmost metro area in the US. Approximately half of all of Alaska's residents reside within the Anchorage metropolitan area, which is larger than Rhode Island. However, more than 90% of residents live within the 100-square-mile area making up the city proper or the "Anchorage Bowl"
• while Anchorage is a medium-sized airline hub overall, due to being equidistant from New York City, Frankfurt, and Tokyo, it's within 10 hours by air of most of the world, making it a common refueling stop for international flights
• groceries and other consumer goods tend to be more expensive than the Lower 48 due to the cost of airlifting them there, but there's no income or sales tax
• due to geographic isolation, it's more expensive to move your stuff here from anyplace else most ways you could do that, so relocating roommates need to budget extra or travel light
• Urban Anchorage is home to more wildlife than most cities, featuring black bear, moose, sheep, timber wolf, beaver, and fox residents. Beluga whales are commonly spotted along the Seward Highway.
• about 10% of the local population is employed by the military
• home to the largest campus of the University of Alaska and Alaska Pacific University
• while Juneau is the state capital, more state employees reside in Anchorage
• Anchorage has a bus system and carpool service called the People Mover to move you around its most popular areas, but you will need your own vehicle outside downtown
• big city living with natural beauty, clean air, and wide open spaces . . . bike paths, parks, mountains, lakes, glaciers . . . and 135 miles of paved outdoor trails!
• Anchorage is farther north than Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki, so extremely mild summers with long days and frequent rain. Winter features heavy snowfall, heavy cloud cover, and very long nights. You'll want to keep an eye on any roommates who suffer from seasonal depression during Anchorage's long winter darkness.
• You and your roommates will never tire of Anchorage's beauty, but you might get tired of talking about the weather. But then you'll need to keep talking about it anyway, because snow!
• Just as a kind warning to traditional Christmas enthusiasts . . . one of Anchorage's favorite local culinary specialities is reindeer sausage.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Anchorage's:

• World's Largest Chocolate Waterfall: Inside the Alaska Wild Berry Park Store. The store needs you to know that the waterfall is display only, so your roommates must not drink from it. And even though it is over 20 feet long and seemingly more than sufficiently roomy, your roommates must not bathe in it either.
• Anchorage Market: Alaska is home to dozens of indigenous cultures and languages, often spotlighted with art, music and produce here. You can learn all about their 229 federally recognized tribes at Anchorage's Alaska Native Heritage Center.
• Craft alcohol: Anchorage is extremely fond of their own craft boozes - tasting events and tours abound for local breweries with many locally produced craft beers, ales, porters and hard ciders.
• Arctic Man: Week long winter snowmachine event - some compare it to Burning Man, but with "crisper weather.") But it's definitely a giant freezing party run by enthusiastic "slednecks!"

Here's the Municipality of Anchorage's official page for new residents on registration, utilities, and recommended local leisure activities. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

ATHENS

Average roommate rent in Athens is $550.

Find a roommate in Athens: 1983rd out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 62nd for quality of life.**

Enjoy young professionals and retirees with new Athens roommates: 65th Best City to Live, 77th Best for Young Professionals, and 83rd for Best City to Retire, out of 228 cities in America.****

Athens has an average 23 minute commute time and an average 2 cars per household. But also, above average carpooling! About 9% carpool to work! (Many on their way to UGA, sure, but we think it's more.)********

SO, roomiematch.com's Athens roommate rundown:

Athens is about half renter-occupied, with at least half of those living with roommates. It's a very friendly, very cheerful, very reasonably-priced roommate market.

But you must consider college students. Extra especially UGA.

They really severely love their bikes here. Cycling, for enthusiasts, not motorbikes but regular bikes for non. You should probably learn to love biking too, at least watching eco-friendly everyone else! Frequently racing around downtown!

You might survive not LOVING bikes if you love porches and oaks and bulldogs. A lot. A lot of love is required. If not, um . . . check out the other metros? :)

The rest of the Athens roommate lowdown:

• summers are warm and humid with frequent thunderstorms, winters tend to be mild
• about 70 miles east of Atlanta - a commute is about 60-90 minutes depending on traffic
• many roommates live here for the affordability plus smaller town vibe then commute into much larger Atlanta for work or school . . . but that's usually best when you can work from home at least part time
• about half the total housing in Athens is occupied by renters with more than half of those living with roommates, it's a very friendly roommate market
• many Athens roommates are students collectively renting houses instead of apartments due to local affordability
• Athens hosts the University of Georgia, which itself hosts the Georgia Museum of Art, the official state art museum -- Athens is also home to Kennesaw State University, Athens Technical College, the Athens College of Ministry, and the University of Georgia branches of Augusta University and Piedmont College
• University of Georgia and the Clarke County School District are the major employers, about 15,000 collectively
• approximately 29 neighborhoods in Athens, with Skyline the most expensive and Beachwood the most affordable for roommates
• Athens encourages eco-friendly alternative transportation via bike lanes on major arteries, with organizations such as BikeAthens supporting more trail development
• Athens Transit and UGA Campus Transit provide fare-free service around the city and the UGA campuses
• despite these alternative transportation options, most roommates will still want a car for commuting or shopping -- but the smaller city size with less traffic overall means you'll rarely get gridlocked or bottlenecked except during UGA games
• depending somewhat on the season, about 25% of the city's residents tend to be students at the University of Georgia, it's a very college town vibe
• The university is called UGA -- pronounce each letter -- and the bulldog is called Uga, pronounced "ugh-ah."

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Athens':

• 40 Watt Club: Popular nightspot that opened in 1978, credited with launching American punk rock
• AthFest: Nonprofit arts and music festival taking place downtown every summer since 1996
• Morton Building: Features the theater famous for hosting black musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington
• Beer: Athens has an active craft beer scene with a number of local breweries and brewpubs including Terrapin, Copper Creek, Cutter's Pub and Trappeze
• Athens Twilight Criterium: Attracts cyclists from all over the world to race around downtown every spring since 1980
• Front porches: Everyone loves a front porch here. It's more than just rocking, it's dining, it's music playing, it's midnight partying with your roommates . . . porch life is very real and very Athens.
• Famous tree: There's a famous "tree that owns itself." It's a white oak granted its own property rights to a plot of land 8 feet in radius that also bears the tree's affectionate official deed.

Here's the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Housing Counseling (rental housing and housing delinquency counseling) page, which you'll hopefully never need if you choose the right roommates. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

ATLANTA

Average roommate rent in Atlanta is $790.

Find a roommate in Atlanta and save more than $573 per month ($6876 per year).* Atlanta is 288th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 88th for quality of life.**

Your Atlanta roommate search may experience #95 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #85 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy healthy young professionals raising children with new Atlanta roommates: 18th Best for Young Professionals, 48th Healthiest, and 64th Best to Raise a Family out of 228 cities in America.****

Atlanta neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Atlantic Station, Brookwood, Peachtree Park, Candler Park, Peachtree Hills, Hills Park, Lake Claire, North Buckhead, Peachtree Heights East, and Druid Hills*****

Atlanta's roommates are spending 37% < $ than NYC's.******

Atlanta's largest hoodmap tags: drinking school w/engineering, gay and proud, murder khouses, hbcu central, "hollywood of the south" t perry studios, people with too much money, perpetual traffic, young thugs neighborhood, atlanta's drag strip, red light district, and pickpocketing central.*******

Atlanta has a longer than average commute time, with a significant number with "super commutes" due to traffic you'll want to avoid. Most households have 2 cars. In part due to significant difficulty commuting, Atlanta also features a larger than average percentage of employees working at home (13%) and taking public transit (10%).********

SO, roomiematch.com's Atlanta roommate rundown:

Atlanta is the largest, most expensive, and most important city in the South. As such it's much more diverse than many expect, with many different neighborhoods meaningfully more different from each other than most metro areas.

Atlanta also SPRAWLS. Outside of the relatively few hotspots served by MARTA plus a few bus routes, everyone is driving. Many consider the massive ring of suburb around Atlanta "Atlanta" as well, commuting back and forth regularly, causing some of the worst traffic congestion in the country.

You'll want to choose your neighborhood with extra care when moving to Atlanta. You'll likely prefer living near where you work or study to avoid massive gridlock. Alternatively, you can live outside the perimeter and commute to the center if you must, but you will require your own reliable vehicle and you will be miserable if your commute is happening anytime around rush hour.

Atlanta is incredibly rich in black history, featuring an abundance of civil war history and HBCUs, driving tourism.

Atlanta is also incredibly rich in pollen from its lush foliage, driving the purchase of allergy medication. You and your roommates might need to beware or stock up on medication in spring.

The rest of the Atlanta roommate lowdown:

• state capital and most populous city in Georgia - widely considered the educational and entertainment center for the southern US, with an extremely diverse economy including aerospace, biomedical research, film and television production, finance, healthcare, information technology, logistics, news and media, and transportation
• summer temperatures are very warm, famously humid, late summer heat is prolonged, winters are mild and thunderstorms are common, abundant rainfall throughout the year
• now a huge airline hub with the world's busiest airport (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)
• site of most of Georgia's state government and federal bureaucracy, including the Georgia State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• divided into 242 officially defined neighborhoods, with 3 high-rise districts
• A very large number of residential/suburban neighborhoods are colloquially considered within greater Atlanta. About 1/2 million live within the city limits, but the larger Atlanta metropolitan area contains about 6 million.
• The most expensive neighborhoods for roommates include: Inman Park, Buckhead, Midtown, and Virginia-Highland. Less expensive neighborhoods still inside the perimeter (ITP) tend to include most in the south and east, but they're not that much less expensive. For a significantly cheaper roommate situation you'll need to leave the city limits for one of the many suburbs surrounding it.
• Heavy reliance on automobiles for transportation even downtown has led to traffic and commutes among the worst in the country. Where I-75 and I-85 merge traffic into the Downtown Connector is one of the most congested segments of highway in the United States. You and your roommates will probably be happier if you structure your lives around avoiding major arteries during anything resembling a rush hour. You'll probably be happiest if you can work/go to school as close to where you live as possible.
• While you can take MARTA rail or public buses some hotspots around the city, and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is fighting for more safe lanes, you and your roommates will probably still want access to a car. Atlanta SPRAWLS. Many places are not yet served by any nearby public transport. (Some say MARTA is absolutely the best way to get to the airport and the football stadium. And . . . that is all.)
• historically the home of the American civil rights movement against racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement
• now home to several historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including Clark Atlanta University, the first HBCU founded in 1865
• abundance of universities and colleges overall, including Atlanta College of Art, Clayton State College, Morris Brown College, Reinhardt College, Agnes Scott College, Kennesaw State, Oglethorpe University, Southern College of Technology, West Georgia College, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory, Spelman, Morehouse, and Georgia State University
• Some call Atlanta "city in a forest" due to the lush foliage, featuring magnolias, dogwoods, Southern pines, oaks, and the now ubiquitous Peachtree (the trees as well as streets, buildings, festivals, many other namesakes, etc.). A thick layer of yellow pollen is the result every springtime. Tell your roommates with allergies to stock up on their meds or they won't stop sneezing until winter.
• dog-friendlier than most American cities, with mild weather, pet-friendly patios, and most parks around the city featuring dedicated dog areas. Many casual bars and restaurants with outdoor areas welcome them as well. Few apartment complexes exclude dog owners accordingly; most are very welcoming for a reasonable pet deposit.
• according to several surveys Atlanta ranks third (behind San Francisco and Seattle) for largest number of lesbian, gay, and bisexual residents
• The Beltline is a former rail corridor that was rehabilitated into a series of parks connected by a trail forming a 22-mile loop around Atlanta's core - great for walking and biking and figuring out which neighborhood is best for you and your roommates
• Most longer-term residents don't pronounce the second T in Atlanta. They say it like it's just another N instead, "Atlanna."

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Atlanta's:

• Live music: Atlanta has played a major role in the development of various American music genres, including Atlanta hip hop, country, Crunk, indie rock, Southern rock, and trap. Though they originated elsewhere, rap and R&B fans can also find more than enough to love.
• Tyler Perry Studios, the first African-American owned major studio, and Areu Studios, the first Latin-American owned major studio
• Historical tourism: Tourism is huge, with much of the tourism driven by historical museums, gardens, parks, and other outdoor attractions including: Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Georgia Aquarium, High Museum of Art, Historic Fourth Ward Park, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum, Zoo Atlanta, Piedmont Park, the World of Coca-Cola, Fox Theater, College Football Hall of Fame, Historic Auburn district, Centennial Olympic Park, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Carter Center and Presidential Library . . . and the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, where she wrote Gone with the Wind
• Restaurants: Atlanta is home to some of the best rated restaurants in the country, with a great diversity of reasonably-priced dining options, including regular emerging chef "pop-ups" around the city. The Ponce City Market is Atlanta's largest collection where you can taste your way through a wide range of local favorites all at one spot. Similarly, there's a robust farmers' market culture.
• Buford Highway: Lengthy strip of shopping centers filled with cuisine and culture from all over the world - locally considered the best place to get Chinese, Korean, Mexican or Vietnamese food
• Atlanta Street Art Map: Colorful street murals are abundant. You can visit this map to explore the street art and graffiti from all over the city via their curated neighborhood suggestions.
• Waffle Houses: "Scattered, smothered, and covered" might refer to what you and your roommates order after a night out involving many cocktails. But only if you're into that sort of thing (most roommates are at least once or twice).
• Alpaca Treehouse: Nestled in a bamboo forest that's a sanctuary for rescued llamas and alpacas. You and your roommates can even feed them carrots.

Here's Atlanta's page for new residents, with info on neighborhoods, plus licensing and registration, which you'll hopefully never need if you choose the right roommates. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

AUSTIN

Average roommate rent in Austin is $850.

Find a roommate in Austin and save more than $498 per month ($5976 per year).* Austin is 242nd out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 91st for quality of life.**

Your Austin roommate search may experience #13 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #1 in Best Places to Live in Texas vibes, #10 in Fastest-Growing Places vibes, and #105 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy healthy outdoor activities with young professionals on awesome campuses with new Austin roommates: 19th Best for Young Professionals, 34th Best Cities to Raise a Family and 36th Best Public Schools out of 228 cities in America.****

Austin neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Gateway, Brushy Creek, Hyde Park, Shady Hollow, West University, Upper Boggy Creek, Hancock, Old West Austin, North Burnet, and Rosedale*****

Austin's roommates are spending 35% < $ than NYC's.******

Austin's largest hoodmap tags: girls wearing oversized tshirts, rich liberals, what used to be the hood, overpriced shops, hipsters climbing on things, kids with teslas, organic hipsters, fighting off gentrification, single people with dogs, grackle alert, and rich drunk UT kids.*******

Austin's commute is roughly average, and most households also have the average 2 cars. However, Austin distinguishes itself with the larger percentage working at home (13%) and carpooling (8%).********

SO, roomiematch.com's Austin roommate rundown:

Austin deserves its reputation for funky fabulousness, but new residents are usually shocked by the summer heat. There will be entire weeks that are 100+ degrees in the afternoon. Most spring and summer days remain warm until well after dark. This also means allergy season never ends, and expensive air conditioning is essential at least half the year.

If you live in Austin with multiple roommates, chances are excellent you'll run into UT students and "tech bros," which could be the same folks before and after graduation. Some resent the "tech bros" for driving the population growth which led to the rising rents which rendered Austin inhospitable to most of the "hippie artists" with less money living there before. Whatever your feeling on this issue, since Austin has become a high tech center populated with abundant computer science and engineering grads fresh from UT, it's not likely changing anytime soon.

But if you can afford it, since most of Austin rents and everybody knows it's not cheap, it's typical to have roommates at any age.

Bikes are extremely popular. Bike lanes exist around UT Austin and the middle of the city. Walking around downtown or the UT Austin campus is also popular. Public transport is not, and parking (for a car, not a bike) in the middle of town is expensive and hard to find. Moving around central Austin for most means walking, biking, or paying to park your car at least periodically.

Once upon a time, for most Austin residents, the favorite thing was live music at night, with chips and queso, plus a margarita or a Shiner. Austin has expanded so extremely in the last several years, a wider range of recreation is certainly available. But live music at night, with chips and queso, plus a margarita or a Shiner is still your best bet.

The rest of the Austin roommate lowdown:

• college-town atmosphere, yet also the capital city of Texas, with just under a million people - The Texas State Capitol is extra famous for its pink granite exterior and being the largest state capitol in terms of square footage
• Hand signals involving the index and pinky sticking up probably aren't advocating for Satan or heavy metal music. Here those usually mean you're a Texas Longhorn fan. Hook 'em Horns!
• There are several hotter places in the US, but Austin is the southernmost state capital in the contiguous 48 states. SO MUCH bright sunshine is common all seasons here.
• Summers are very hot and humid, winters are mild, with lots of rain in spring and fall. Most residents appreciate the lack of winter but new residents are usually shocked by the summer heat. Most indoor places have central air to cool you off, but it can be unexpectedly challenging to exist anywhere during summers where many days are 100+ degrees.
• Another challenge associated with the weather is that allergy season never ends, as all seasons feature pollen.
• The weather that's so awesome for producing an abundance of wildflowers also produces an abundance of wild insects, including scorpions, wasps, fire ants, spiders, and possibly truly excessive cockroaches. What sort of precautions you should take depend on exactly where in Austin (soil, sunlight, elevation, moisture) and in what style building, but you will likely have to deal with some creepy crawlies. You and your roommates should just go ahead and emotionally brace yourself for this creeping eventuality.
• home to several universities, including Austin Community College, Concordia Lutheran College, Huston-Tillotson College, the Seminary of the Southwest, Southwestern University, Texas Health and Science University, the Acton School of Business, St. Edward's University, Southwest Texas State University and the largest campus of the University of Texas, one of the largest universities in the US
• Austin is distinct from the rest of Texas in that it's considered a "liberal oasis" in an otherwise conservative state.
• There is no state income tax.
• Most people in Austin drive; and as a result, many surveys have ranked Austin the worst for Texas traffic jams. Bicycles are popular, especially commuting to the UT Austin campus or around the middle of the city (where parking is expensive and limited). If you can manage to walk, bike, or use the very limited Metro System in town at least some of the time, you'll likely be happier. Unless you're living and working/going to school downtown or near UT Austin you and/or your roommates will probably want a car.
• In the last decade Austin has become a major center for high tech, including chip manufacturing and defense electronics - in part supplied by the thousands of engineering and computer science graduating every year from UT Austin. If you live in Austin with multiple roommates chances are excellent one will be a "tech bro."
• The downtown skyline has dramatically changed in recent years with downtown growth and high rise construction. The central business district is now home to the tallest condo towers in the state.
• Austin became popular as a place for artists to create due to its low cost of living . . . but that's not as true anymore, mostly due to the tech boom leading to a sharp rise in population growth which led to a sharp rise in typical rents. Some subsequently nicknamed Austin "Silicon Hills."
• About 60% of Austin rents and since it has become more expensive in recent years, it's an extremely popular city for roommates. Most expensive neighborhoods in Austin for roommates include Downtown Austin, West Austin, Tarrytown, and Galindo. More affordable neighborhoods in Austin for roommates include Heritage Hills, Windsor Hills, and University Heights. Basically, the center of town tends to be more exciting and more expensive, while as you move outward it gets cheaper.
• Some even commute all the way from San Antonio to save rent money.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Austin's:

• South Congress: Popular shopping district, not only for its majestically unobstructed views of the Texas State Capitol but also its eccentric coffee shops, vintage stores, and food trucks.
• "Live Music Capital of the World:" Many live music venues as well as the PBS series Austin City Limits. There is a virtually constant large live rock-country-blues music scene, much located within a walkable downtown.
• South by Southwest: Yearly conglomeration of music and other media festivals, abbreviated as SXSW and colloquially referred to as "South By"
• 6th Street: The downtown core hosts more bars than anywhere else in the US. If your roommates enjoy consuming alcohol in a "party hearty" atmosphere they'll need a ride home from 6th Street at least a few times.
• Food Trucks: Not just for fast food or junk food (although you can get plenty of that too). Austin is well known for its Texas barbeque, Tex Mex, breakfast tacos, and queso. It's also home to an unusually large number of food trucks and a huge craft beer scene, with over 50 microbreweries.
• Serious Outdoor Water Recreation: Available year round on the city's several lakes, rivers, and waterways, including Lady Bird Lake, Deep Eddy Pool, Zilker Park, and Auditorium Shores - more than 50 public pools and a 7 mile Barton Creek Greenbelt featuring limestone cliffs, dense greenery, and more water - not just swimming, but kayaking, cliff diving, paddle boarding, and tubing
• Hippie Hollow Park: The only public park in Texas where clothing is officially optional.
• The Austin FC: Austin's first major professional sports league
• All the Museums: Lots of local museums to explore with your roommates including: Texas Memorial Museum, the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, Thinkery, South Austin Museum of Popular Culture, the Mexic-Arte Museum, the Blanton Museum of Art, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, The Contemporary Austin, the Elisabet Ney Museum, and the Harry Ransom Center
• Austin Film Society: In part due to the influence of the UT Austin Radio-Television-Film department and its influence on several local film festivals, Austin has been the location for many movies. The Austin Film Society converted several airplane hangars into Austin Studios, used by many feature film and video projects.
• The Austin Public Library system Central Library: SIX STORIES! It features indoor and outdoor event spaces, reading porches, a bicycle parking station, a cafe, an art gallery, and a "technology petting zoo" featuring next-generation gadgets.
• Mexican Free-Tailed Bats: Over a million reside inside the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. Many residents gather to watch the bats emerge to hunt insects every sunset, until they migrate to Mexico in the winter. It's the largest urban bat colony in North America.
  
  No, they won't get tangled in your hair, IF you have a crewcut.
  
  (Anyone with longer hair should stay far away from the bridge!)
  
  (Just kidding!)
  
  (You and your hair can view bats safely, just ask locals to direct you to the best vantage point.)
• Mount Bonnell: A large open area with about 100 steps leading up. Since it's the highest point in Austin, there's a spectacularly sweepingly unobstructed view of the whole city. However, at 775 feet, it's actually a tall hill.
• HI, HOW ARE YOU: There's a friendly frog mural greeting all who pass by the corner of Guadalupe and 21st Street. Daniel Johnston, the artist, was a beloved singer-songwriter popular in the lo-fi and alternative music scenes for decades before dying in 2019. The mural, called "Jeremiah the Innocent Frog," was commissioned by the owner of the local record store (Sound Exchange) inside that building, and features the text, "HI, HOW ARE YOU." The building has changed hands multiple times since then, but the mural has been preserved. In 2018 the Mayor declared January 22 "Hi, How are You" Day for mental wellness. Fans still visit and pay their respects. You and your roommates can visit too.

Here's the City of Austin Household page, including info on utilities, trash and recycling, conserving water, and adopting pets. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BALTIMORE

Average roommate rent in Baltimore is $650.

Find a roommate in Baltimore and save more than $625 per month ($7500 per year).* Baltimore is 433rd out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 91st for quality of life.**

Your Baltimore roommate search may experience #84 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #57 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy outdoor activities with young professionals with new Baltimore roommates: 72nd Best for Outdoor Activities and 81st Best for Young Professionals out of 228 cities in America.****

Baltimore neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Ellicott City, Fulton, Lutherville, Columbia, Ilchester, Scaggsville, Towson, Timonium, North Laurel, and Mays Chapel.*****

Baltimore's roommates are spending 45% < $ than NYC's.******

Baltimore's largest hoodmap tags: hipsters who ride bicycles, buppie families, queer artist community, little el salvador, murders here, industrial wasteland, gluten free cupcakes, hipsters with lesbian moms, dog lovers, you will get robbed, expensive hotels & apartments, toothless, and the port.*******

Baltimore's average commute is longer than average by several minutes. Most households have only 1 car. Baltimore also distinguishes itself with more employees using public transit (16%) or carpooling (9%) to get to work.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Baltimore roommate rundown:

Many not from the northeast fail to notice before visiting that Baltimore is only 40 miles NE of Washington D.C.?

Lending Baltimore a "big city with a small town vibe" atmosphere . . . because a substantial percentage leaves most days for work, to benefit from Baltimore's lower rents while commuting to D.C.?

Also because commuter trains also run to Philly and NYC, so same deal with them as well?

So Baltimore has its own distinct metro vibe . . . but it's also a cozy suburb for three larger ones?

And this cozy suburb is also a major port?

The local sense of humor would say yes. To all of that, even how it's contradictory, 'cause why not? It's Charm City.

The gang violence for which Baltimore is famous is real - but 75% of the gun violence is concentrated in the 25% of neighborhoods with the most poverty. Gang-related crimes mostly affect people involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics.

Otherwise, "Bawl Mer" features many gorgeous historic districts and neighborhoods, and a restored waterfront. Based on how many urban amenities and attractions you can experience with friendly residents near world renowned art and stunning views for about how much rent?

Baltimore might be the best bargain on the East Coast.

The rest of the Baltimore roommate lowdown:

• most populous city in Maryland, with about 550,000 in the city and almost 3 million including the larger metro
• population is extremely diverse
• Climate is very changeable, with warm humid (some say steamy) summers and cold rainy winters with some snow. Summers feature quite a few hot days plus thunderstorms.
• home to 19 universities, including Sojourner-Douglas College, the United States Naval Academy, College of Notre Dame - Maryland, Coppin State College, Goucher College, St. John's College, Towson State University, Western Maryland College, Loyola, Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland and the University of Baltimore
• Baltimore is called "Charm City" because it's a big city with a small-town vibe and friendly people.
• As it's only 40 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. and one of the most affordable urban areas along the East Coast, commuting between happens a lot. Many who work in D.C. benefit from Baltimore's lower rents. Regular commuter trains are also running to Philadelphia and NYC.
• Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University employ many, along with a number of government agencies such as the NAACP, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and the Social Security Administration.
• Baltimore surrounds a major inland port. Inner Harbor was once the second leading port of entry or immigrants to the United States and the Port of Baltimore is the closest East Coast port to the Midwest.
• Some neighborhoods are walkable, others not so much. The Charm City Circulator can take you around the center of the city. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) includes buses, light rail, and commuter rail, which provide access to several suburbs along with the airport, downtown, Timonium, and Hunt Valley. However, unless you live near your work/school, you and your roommates will probably still want cars.
• Most affordable neighborhoods for roommates include Locust Point, Mount Holly, Penn North, and West Arlington. More expensive neighborhoods include Federal Hill, Fells-Point, Mount Vernon, Homeland, and Little Italy.
• Many say the urban dynamics depicted in David Simon and Edward Burns' television shows The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood and The Wire are still ongoing. Baltimore has remained notorious for its high homicide rate for the last several decades, peaking in 1993 and again in 2015 following major protests following the death of Freddie Gray. However, about 75% of the gun violence is concentrated in about 25% of the neighborhoods, those being same as those with the most poverty. Gang-related crimes mostly affect people involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics.
• Baltimore features many beautiful and historic districts, many playing a key role in the American Revolution. Nearly a third of the city's buildings are designated historic and there are more public monuments than any other US city. Also, a recently restored waterfront!
• Locals pronounce it: Bawl DaMore or Bawl Mer. Locals mostly drop the T.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Baltimore's:

• Lexington Market: Founded in 1782, is one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the United States. You could shop there with your roommates.
• Edgar Allan Poe at the Westminster Presbyterian Church: He died in Baltimore under mysterious circumstances in 1875. Many pay respects to his monument at the Church's cemetery. Some leave roses and bottles of cognac. And yes, the Baltimore Ravens are named after his poem.
• Maryland blue crabs: Most everyone eats them, and crab cakes are the local signature seafood dish . . . although most everyone also eats them more simply steamed and cracked open with a mallet over newspaper.
• HONfest: Yearly celebration of the historic working women of Baltimore and their charming hairdos. "Hon" is a local term of endearment symbolizing warmth and hospitality. "HONdreds of Hons" gather in the Hampden neighborhood every year. Their "judges give extra points for a real wash & set updo because it’s full of hope and hairspray."
• Baltimore Art Museum: World renowned, with the largest holding of works by Henri Matisse. There's also a John Waters Collection, and an exhibition on the culture of hip hop is upcoming.
• Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum: "Specializes in original thematic exhibitions that seamlessly combine art, science, philosophy, humor and especially social justice and betterment." They pride themselves on featuring art in all mediums from self-taught innovators from outside the "art world."
• Ministry of Brewing: Previously a church, now renovated into a brewery. There's a 20-barrel brewing system where their altar once was, and the original stained glass windows, original organ, and vaulted ceilings remain near a wide variety of brews on tap.
• The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum: Dedicated to preserving Black history through life-sized wax models. It features dioramas of the Underground Railroad, and more recently a model of President Barack Obama.

Here's the Baltimore City Online Payment Directory, which could hopefully help you pay for any new permits you might need after relocating. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BANGOR

Average roommate rent in Bangor is $350.

Find a roommate in Bangor: 1999th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 65th for quality of life.**

Enjoy a low cost of living with young professionals on a lovely campus with new Bangor roommates: 20th Best Public Schools in Maine and 27th Best for Young Professionals in Maine.****

Bangor has a less than average commute, with a significant number with "super commutes" from elsewhere in Maine. Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Bangor roommate rundown:

Bangor is the easternmost metro area in the US. Most of what you'd imagine goes along with that designation? Yes.

So: mostly white (people plus snow), very quaint, lots of lumber, lots of lobster, lots of ice fishing, lots of anything else winter? Yes yes yes yes yes and yes.

Really, it's mostly cold. That's the main thing for which you will need to be prepared.

In addition to that, the local economy is not diverse. Most work in healthcare, education, lumber or the Air National Guard.

If you can find a worthwhile way to earn or pay for school plus learn to love winter weather, Bangor would reward you with some of the lowest rents in the country and locals happy to meet new residents.

Which is awesome because you will likely need their help during your first ice storm!

The rest of the Bangor roommate lowdown:

• easternmost metro area in the US - small town, about 150,000 in the Bangor metro area
• higher than average percentage medical personnel than most cities due to two large hospitals
• about 95% white, so not ethnically diverse
• home to the University of Maine, Husson University, Eastern Maine Community College, Beal College, Bangor Theological Seminary, and Hudson College
• main industries are healthcare and education
• lumber, paper, and shipping center for Maine
• downtown area is quaint with locally owned shops
• Bangor is home to the Bangor Air National Guard base.
• Bangor is NOT pedestrian-friendly. In terms of public transport options and weather, it's fairly hostile to non-drivers. You and your roommates will likely need reliable vehicles. But the upside here is there are very few traffic jams and commute times are wee!
• There's an extremely long and severe winter with snow on the ground most of the year. Summers are mild. You and your roommates should be prepared to lose electricity in the winter due to ice storms.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Bangor's:

• Steamed lobster: The classic local meal is steamed lobster, as most US lobster comes from around here.
• Bangor City Forest: You and your roommates could go cross-country skiing. It's about 700 acres of wildlife habitat with more than 9 miles of trails for running, biking, hiking, and snowshoeing.
• Rocky Beaches: Bangor is close to the coast, and features beaches, but they're not your warm and sandy variety. They're rocky and rugged, and the water stays COLD.
• The Bangor State Fair: Ongoing over 150 years, one of the country's oldest.
• The Zillman Art Museum: At the University of Maine, features a number of permanent exhibitions plus art workshops for adults.
• Moosehead Lake: Popular fishing spot.
• Jeremiah Colburn Natural Area: Good for bird watching.
• Blueberry Wine: Local wineries feature blueberry wine, because Bangor loves its blueberries!
• Orono Bog: You and your roommates could experience the unique flora and fauna of a Maine bog here. But don't bring your dog.
• The Bangor Opera House: Built in 1889, and still stands, sort of (it burned down and had to be rebuilt in 1953, then massively rehabilitated again in 1999). Some say it's haunted now due to all the drama. You can your roommates could call the box office and schedule a tour.
• Stephen King's Red Mansion: He lives in a red mansion with white trim outside downtown Bangor. There are wrought-iron spiders and bats out front.
• Paul Bunyon: There's a 31-foot-tall Paul Bunyon towering over Bass Park. Many say this Bangor Bunyun is the jolliest and the handsomest of all the Bunyons in existence. For special occasions he occasionally wears a fez.

Here's the city of Bangor's Public Health & Community Services page, which links to a number of local services including Healthy Homes initiatives. Also moth avoidance. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BATON ROUGE

Average roommate rent in Baton Rouge is $400.

Find a roommate in Baton Rouge: 1774th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 79th for quality of life.**

Your Baton Rouge roommate search may experience #93 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #21 in Cheapest Places to Live vibes and #123 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy a low cost of living with diverse retirees with new Baton Rouge roommates: 83rd Lowest Cost of Living, 123rd Best City to Retire and 133rd Most Diverse out of 228 cities in America.****

Baton Rouge neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Inniswold, Downtown, Prairieville, Shenandoah, Highlands/Perkins, Garden District, South Baton Rouge, Oak Hills Place, Old Jefferson, and Village St. George.*****

Baton Rouge's largest hoodmap tags: bring a boat, lots of murder, middle aged hipsters, frat girls who get drunk off of two w.c., and political gridlock.*******

Many things about Baton Rouge and travel are roughly average compared to other metro areas in the country. The commute time is about a minute longer than average. Most households have 2 cars, also average.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Baton Rouge roommate rundown:

Baton Rouge is LSU's college town. Some say Baton Rouge is the tailgating capitol of the entire world!

If you relocate here and live with roommates, for sure you'll be invited along on a tailgate. Learn to love LSU. If you have multiple roommates, loving LSU will be essential to getting along with at least one of them.

Baton Rouge is also a hot and muggy ocean port that frequently floods due to proximity to the Gulf. You and your roommates should have a safety kit for floods, and look out for any stained glass windows.

Baton Rouge is also the vaguely Gothic capital of Louisiana and the seat of the state government - covered in history and bridal showers and juke joints with the blues plus Cajun food.

And a famous swamp.

Come for the Southern Gothic, stay for the cheap and easy lifestyle. Definitely including the rent!

(But not the humidity.)

The rest of Baton Rouge's roommate lowdown:

• capital of Louisiana, but still a college town - second largest city in Louisiana (after New Orleans), approximately half a million in the greater metro area
• located along the Mississippi River, 10th largest ocean port - summers are very long, hot, muggy, and rainy, while winters are mild and snow is rare
• Baton Rouge is home to Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Community College, Franciscan Ministries of Our Lady University, and Southern University (the flagship for the Southern University System, the largest historically black college system).
• The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) serves urban Baton Rouge including most of its colleges and universities, and most have bike racks. However, you and/or your roommates will probably still want a car if you must venture much outside your own neighborhood on a regular basis.
• Louisiana is the only US state saying "parish" where all others say "county."
• Proximity to the Gulf of Mexico means a few hurricanes, often with flooding. You and your roommates should have a safety kit for flood-related emergencies.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Baton Rouge's:

• Tailgating Parties: College sports are very popular including football, baseball, basketball, and gymnastics with LSU tailgate parties among the most popular in town. Some say Baton Rouge is the tailgating capitol of the entire world!
• Museums: Museums include The Shaw Center for the Arts, the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, the LSU Museum of Natural Science, The Capital Park Museum, and the Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American Museum. The LASM includes science exhibits and a planetarium.
• Louisiana's State Capitol (the newer one): Current seat of the Louisiana State Government. It's 34 floors, with an Observation Deck you and your roommates can visit for stunning views of the skyline at sunset.
• Louisiana's Old State Capitol: Beautiful Gothic castle downtown near the Mississippi River. It's an historic landmark now operating as the Museum of Political History. The stained-glass windows are popular with wedding parties. There would be no charge to tour with your roommates. There's even an audio guide.
• Cajun Crawfish: This is Cajun country. Definitely try the boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes.
• Blue Bonnet Swamp: Approximately 100 acres inside South Baton Rouge is a famous swamp. It's called the Blue Bonnet Swamp Nature Center, and you and your roommates can walk around on the trails.
• Park System: Baton Rouge features over 140 acres of parkland, which includes the Baton Rouge Zoo, which itself includes over 1800 species. The overall park system also includes the walkable Levee Path and free lessons on everything from climbing to boarding.
• Mall of Louisiana: Opened in 1997, and remains the largest mall in Louisiana. Cara, a twelve-foot-long Burmese python, escaped her aquarium enclosure and roamed the insides of the walls of the mall for 2 days in 2021.
• Mike the Tiger: The LSU mascot, lives across the street from the stadium in a lush habitat with his own waterfall. Previously, during games, Mike was wheeled around in a cage with cheerleaders dancing on top. But now he mostly hangs out near his swimming pool.
• Teddy's Juke Joint has welcomed blues fans for over 40 years. (The Baton Rouge Blues Festival has as well, but it can't claim to be open all year.) The Juke Joint's history is rich, particularly featuring "classic juke" and "swamp" blues styles. You and your roommates could visit any day of the year, even holidays "because blues doesn't get a day off." They feature blues acts a few nights a week where a visit will be "like stepping into the past, like walking back into 1979."
• also on Highway 61, the famous "Blues Highway"

Here's the Living in Baton Rouge page, which lists community links and resources plus offices dealing with neighborhood and Parish issues. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BIRMINGHAM

Average roommate rent in Birmingham is $350.

Find a roommate in Birmingham: 1774th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 79th for quality of life.**

Your Birmingham roommate search may experience #71 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #92 in Best Places to Retire vibes and #2 in Best Places to Live in Alabama vibes.***

Enjoy a low cost of living with both young professionals and retirees with new Birmingham roommates: 20th Lowest Cost of Living, 155th Best City to Retire and 180th Best City for Young Professionals out of 228 cities in America.****

Birmingham's roommates are spending 43% < $ than NYC's.******

Birmingham's commute is less than average (22 minutes). Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Birmingham roommate rundown:

Birmingham is a relatively popular place to live around and nearby?

Or rather, it's Alabama's largest metro area, in which most of its residents do not properly reside. Most live in the unusually large number of suburbs immediately outside Birmingham. Since the metro population is actually widely dispersed, rent's reasonable everywhere.

Alabama keeps its art in Birmingham. It's home to the Birmingham Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the southeast, as well as Alabama's major ballet, opera, and symphony companies.

Birmingham is also synonymous to many with motorsport mania. There's NASCAR, there's Superbike, and there's a Motorsports Museum.

Or maybe fishing in the "Bass Capital of the World" is more your speed?

Birmingham also has a high population density of both dentists (University of Alabama School of Dentistry) and college athletes (headquarters of the Southeastern Conference). You could easily end up with a dentist or a college athlete or possibly even both at the same time as a roommate.

The rest of the Birmingham roommate lowdown:

• Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro area, with fewer in the city (about 200,000) and about 1.1 million in the larger metro area.
• Most of the metro population lives outside the city in an unusually large number of suburbs.
• Summers are long, hot, and humid, with many thunderstorms, while winters are mild. If you're not interested in experiencing heavy heat with thick humidity most months of the year, you'll need central AC.
• All that heat and humidity produces a lot of tree pollen most of the year too. If you or your roommates have allergies, don't forget your medication.
• home of several colleges and universities, including the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham
• headquarters of the Southeastern Conference for college athletics
• home of the Birmingham Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the Southeast
• home to Alabama's major ballet, opera, and symphony companies including Alabama Ballet, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Ballet, and Opera Birmingham

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Birmingham's:

• White sauce: Contains mayonnaise, pepper, other (possibly secret) spices, and vinegar, and is a staple at Birmingham's BBQ joints, especially with smoked chicken.
• The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame: Inside the Carver Theatre, celebrating the many talented jazz musicians from Alabama. It was created in 1978, moved in 1993, then renovated and refurbished in 2020. It features a museum, concert hall, and radio station you can stream online. It's all non-profit and tax deductible.
• The McWane Science Center: Features hands-on science, an IMAX theater, and nearly half a million fossils.
• The Birmingham Botanical Gardens: Over 60 acres and features interpretive, Japanese, rose, and tropical garden styles you and your roommates can tour.
• The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum: Contains the largest collection of motorcycles in the world. This makes sense as motorsports are extremely popular here; about a dozen annual motorsport races are hosted here, including NASCAR and Superbike.
• Fishing, any of it: Birmingham has been named "Bass Capital of the World," as it hosts so very many recreational fishing tournaments which have broken so very many fishing records.
• Railroad Park: 20-acre urban green space in the middle of downtown connecting Southside and the University of Alabama campus. This area of town was mostly abandoned warehouses, but they've been transforming it into an award-winning Urban Open Space since 2010.
• City Brew Tour: You could go with your roommates. They provide over a dozen samples, beer knowledge, lunch, and roundtrip transport! However, you MUST wear closed-toe shoes on your tour. No exceptions! Your toes will be safer on the Brew Tour, even in summer.
• Vulcan, the god of fire, is revered with a 58-foot tall statue towering over Birmingham. He's the largest statue ever made in the United States, as the Statue of Liberty is larger but was forged in France. He's not wearing any pants whatsoever while he honors the city's steel-making industry.

Here's where you and your roommates can request an official group tour of Birmingham . They'll tailor it to your interests. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BOISE

Average roommate rent in Boise is $520.

Find a roommate in Boise: 243rd out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 75th for quality of life.**

Your Boise roommate search may experience #15 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #5 in Fastest Growing vibes, #14 Safest Places to Live vibes, #17 in Best Quality vibes, and #73 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy healthy outdoor activities on a lovely campus with new Boise roommates: 55th Best City to Raise a Family, 60th Best Public Schools, 71st Healthiest City, and 107th Best For Outdoor Activities out of 228 cities in America.****

Boise neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Southeast Boise, East End, Highlands, Boise Heights, Sunset, Stewart Gulch, Depot Branch, Downtown, and Collister*****

Boise's roommates are spending 42% < $ than NYC's.******

Boise's largest hoodmap tags: californians, more californians, river tubes, gentrification goin on here, busy road and campus bars, rich people on a hill, street racing, chain restaurants and traffic, and wow look giraffes.*******

Boise has a slightly shorter than average commute (22 minutes). Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Boise roommate rundown:

Boise is Idaho's most populous city, its capital, and its cultural center. Boise hosts Idaho's largest university and most of its museums and sports teams. In short, Boise has all the Idaho.

And all the Idaho is increasingly popular and populated? A lot more students lately, in particular?

Rental options are increasing along with average rent and student density, so many with less to spend may merely need to be more flexible. Renting a room in an owner-occupied home farther away from the trendy center is increasingly an option for many roommates whose income didn't keep up with local demand.

Boise loves to ride their bicycles. Many commute along a network of bike paths including the Boise River Greenbelt. Or you could hike those. Or you could hike and bike them both on your way to the mountains for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.

What we're saying is the urban outdoorsy here is really on point.

You can't get better urban outdoorsy than Boise, especially for this rent in the Pacific NW.

The rest of the Boise roommate lowdown:

• Boise is the most populous city in Idaho (about 225,000) and also the capital.
• Boise manages to be both urban and outdoorsy while maintaining a smaller town cost of living.
• The climate is generally dry with low humidity, with occasional summer heatwaves and freezing winter storms. Boise has four distinct seasons but the weather is still mostly mild, and outdoor recreation is possible most of the year.
• Boise has very low crime, particularly for a capital city.
• Boise is considered the cultural center of Idaho. The Basque Block is downtown, celebrating Idaho's ethnic Basque community, one of the largest in the US.
• If you and your roommates don't live close to where you work and also don't really enjoy biking, you'll probably want a car. You'll also want to avoid the Boise Connector during rush hour. There's just one freeway connecting downtown with surrounding suburbs, so this smaller city still manages some serious traffic delays.
• Boise has a large population of bicycle commuters who use the network of bike paths throughout the metro area, including the Boise River Greenbelt.
• SO while city planners plan improvements soon, public transport isn't incredibly useful here now. So biking is great, walking is often OK, driving is a mixed bag, and public transport . . . not usually.
• Boise hosts a few professional sports teams.
• Skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing are available nearby in the Boise Mountains, and hiking and biking in the foothills north of downtown.
• home to several museums, including the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, the Discovery Center of Idaho, and the Idaho Black History Museum
• home to Albertson College of Idaho, Northwest Nazarene College, Boise Bible, College, and Boise State University
• If you or your roommates drive, you must not ever hit a cow or you might have to pay a rancher a lot of money. According to the Idaho DMV, the cows have forever right of way, so if you hit one you pay, and they're not cheap. In other words, hitting a cow is always your fault no matter how that happened or where that cow was standing. So help yourselves out by driving Boise with EXTREME cow caution.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Boise's:

• Sequoia Tree: Idaho's largest giant sequoia tree can be found near St. Luke's Hospital. It's about 90 feet tall.
• Gene Harris Jazz Festival: Every spring.
• Idaho Aquarium.
• Freak Alley: Said to be the largest outdoor art gallery in the Northwest. It's lots of murals and graffiti in an alley downtown. It gets completely painted over every few years, but it's all photographed and archived first, don't worry.
• The Black Cliffs of Boise: Towering columns of black lava rock reaching for the sky. The volcanic basalt provides good handholds and footholds so they're very popular with climbers. They were burped up by an ancient volcano.
• The Treasure Valley Rollergirls: All-female, DIY, flat track roller derby league based in Boise. They were founded in 2006, but became full-fledged members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association in 2011. They have three home teams: the Sawtooth Sirens, the Owyhee Outlaws, and the Freak Alley Fugitives. You and your roommates could attend an international elimination tournament!

Here's the City of Boise Resident Hub, where you can pay utility bills and get info on neighborhoods and housing for new residents. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BOSTON

Average roommate rent in Boston is $1000.

Find a roommate in Boston and save more than $983 per month ($11796 per year).* Boston is 27th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 91st for quality of life.**

Your Boston roommate search may experience #18 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #13 in Safest Places to Live vibes, #25 in Most Expensive Places to Live vibes, and #76 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy healthy outdoor activities with diverse young professionals with new Boston roommates: 6th Best City for Young Professionals, 7th Best City for Outdoor Activities, 30th Most Diverse City, and 47th Healthiest City out of 228 cities in America.****

Boston neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Cambridgeport, Brookline, The Port, Riverside, Peabody, East Cambridge, Mid-Cambridge, Wayland, Wellington-Harrington, and Cambridge.*****

Boston's roommates are spending 20% < $ than NYC's.******

Boston's largest hoodmap tags: dead body disposal, italians, great seafood, technically a beach, moms that still dress like pat benatar, hipster mecca, asian tourists, harvard kids displacing working people, art school dropouts, loud noises, the irish mob, catholics, liberals not welcome, zombieland, universities galore!, family hipsters, lesbians, irish american firemen, murderpan, used to be mobsters here, new chinatown, and allston rat city*******

Boston's average commute is > average by several minutes, and a small % have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes. Most households have only 1 car, which is less than the national average of 2.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Boston roommate rundown:

Boston is the most densely populated most expensive city in the United States . . . after NYC and the Bay Area, of course.

Just like the larger two, public transport is popular. About a third of Bostonians use public transport daily, and about a third, exclusively. That's underground, bus, plus commuter rail. Since most of the city is compact and densely populated, many prefer to walk around outdoors as well, even in winter.

Prepare to bundle up.

But if you're not walking, be prepared for gridlock . . . hardly anyone offers free parking, yet there's still a lot of commuting, particularly during special events. The city's population can suddenly double, leading to a sudden traffic bubble. You don't want to be on the road with that.

The best advice is to live in a neighborhood near where you'll spend most of your time. In Boston, almost any amount of commuting is associated with annoyance. Avoidance would be enviable.

Boston has a very high cost of living, more or less again, right after NYC and the Bay Area. Salaries tend to be higher too, so for many, it's worth it.

Many whose salaries don't tend to be higher tend to have roommates. And many others tend to have roommates too just to save money anyway. Spend it on seafood instead.

The rest of the Boston roommate lowdown:

• Boston is the most populous city in Massachusetts, about 675,000 in the city and almost 5 million in the Greater Boston metropolitan region. That makes Boston the third most densely populated large US city and the most populous state capital.
• Boston is called a "city of neighborhoods" as 23 have officially been designated and they're very diverse architecturally. Most didn't exist even in terms of their land area when the city was founded, but were created by filling nearby tidal areas with gravel.
• About 1/3 of Bostonians use public transport daily, and about 1/3 of Boston households do not have a car. The MBTA operates the oldest underground transit system in the country, along with many buses and commuter rail.
• Boston has the highest percentage pedestrian commuting in the country. Much of the city is both compact and densely populated with a huge student demographic, which leads to foot traffic from both preference and necessity. Prepare to wear layers to walk around in the winter.
• But if you and your roommates do choose to drive within Boston, you should plan more in your budget than cheaper cities. Most apartments don't have spaces included with the rent. Parking most places you'd drive in the city is paid as well, by the hour or monthly.
• There is a lot of commuting from the suburbs for work and special events. Sometimes the city's population doubles or even triples for short periods, so traffic congestion can get severe.
• The best advice for commuting around Boston may simply be to try harder to find a neighborhood near where you'll spend most of your time. Reverse commuting and/or not commuting at all during business hours and other citywide excitable moments would also be enviable lifestyle choices for you and your roommates to consider whenever possible.
• Boston features all four seasons, extremely so. Weather changes rapidly with heavy precipitation. Summer are hot, winters are stormy with lots of rain, snow, sleet, and fog. Heavy downpours and hailstorms are common. Chilly coastal sea breezes lower land temperatures suddenly, then the fog rolls in all along the North Atlantic. You and your roommates will want to pack hoodies.
• Boston has a high cost of living, one of the highest in the country. Usually only NYC and San Francisco beat Boston for overall expensiveness. However, salaries tend to be higher here too, so for many it's worth it.
• Boston hosts many professional sports teams, including the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, and the Boston Bruins. Boston also hosts the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon run on Patriots' Day. Locals take their teams very seriously! All older teams are followed by their own exceedingly enthusiastic fanbases.
• Boston is home to an extremely large number of universities and colleges, including: Art Institute of Boston, Berklee College of Music, Boston Architectural Center, Endicott College, Gordon College, Lasell College, Montserrat College of Art, Mount Ida College, Newbury College, Wellesley College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Wheaton College, Atlantic Union College, Babson College, Bentley College, Boston Conservatory, Cambridge College, Curry College, Eastern Nazarene College, Emmanuel College, Framingham State College, Massachusetts College of Art, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Pine Manor College, Regis College, Salem State College, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Wheelock College, Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis University, Emerson College, Harvard University, Lesley College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New England Conservatory of Music, Northeastern University, Simmons College, Suffolk University, Tufts University, and the University of Massachusetts

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Boston's:

• Seafood: Boston is at the head of the Boston Bay, New England's most important seaport. The seafood is sparklingly fresh, so don't miss the lobsters, oysters, and clam chowder.
• Contemporary Classical Music: From the Boston Symphony Orchestra (one of the "Big Five") to the Boston Pops Orchestra. There's also Boston Baroque, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Boston Ballet, Opera Boston, and Boston Musica Viva . . . and then several annual musical festivals and local events including a Boston Pops concert with fireworks on the banks of the Charles River.
• Parks: Their system is stunning, one of the best in the country. Along with Boston Public Garden, the Emerald Necklace is a string of parks including Franklin Park, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Back Bay Fens, Arnold Arboretum, and Jamaica Pond. They were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted to encircle the city. Several other parks are scattered around the city as well, so you and your roommates should most definitely chill in at least one of these excellent greenspaces.
• Old Corner Bookstore: Many claim it's the "cradle of American literature," where Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Russell Lowell, and Henry David Thoreau all met and wrote. Boston continues its literary scene with The Atlantic Monthly, the Boston Book Festival, and the Boston Public Library (the first free library in the US).
• History: Boston is one of the oldest cities in America; it's the scene of several key events in the American Revolution including the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. The USS Constitution and Walden Pond are also spectacularly popular with tourists.
• Boston's so rich with history REALLY there's an historical marker nearly everywhere you turn. You and your roommates could take photos of each other posing throughout history all over the place! Definitely sort of!

Here's the City of Boston's Services, Applications, and Permits: probably of interest to new residents. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BOULDER

Average roommate rent in Boulder is $725.

Find a roommate in Boulder: 171st out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 70th for quality of life.**

Your Boulder roommate search may experience #4 (WOW!) (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #130 in Best Places to Retire vibes and #22 in Most Expensive Places to Live vibes.***

Enjoy healthy outdoor activities with young professionals or many students with new Boulder roommates: 7th Healthiest Place to Live, 10th Best Public Schools, 39th Best for Outdoor Activities, and 50th Best for Young Professionals out of 228 cities in America.****

Boulder neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Superior, Louisville, Gunbarrel, Lafayette, Niwot, and Longmont*****

Boulder's largest hoodmap tags: that brewery you found, techies with families and dogs, paragliders, rich af white people, middle-aged startups, popular hiking spot, quiet stoners, rich marxists, flatirons, and best sandwiches ever.*******

Boulder has an average commute time (24 minutes) and the average 2 cars per household.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Boulder roommate rundown:

Boulder is its own college town with a unique vibe that's also more or less a suburb of Denver.

Because of all the folks commuting back and forth from Denver? And then also all the folks commuting back and forth from Boulder too?

Meaning, the commuting is somewhat two-way, but more from Denver because Denver costs more.

Shorter version: If you're a commuter, you probably just gotta do what you gotta do, this advice is not for you. If you're NOT a commuter, figure out when commuters tend to be on the roads near you. Then avoid them for the entire duration.


What else is different about Boulder?

1. A bunch of dudes tends to plunge into a reservoir. Nude. On New Year's Day.

2. Then, a bunch of dudes that we can't prove aren't the same dudes tends to run around buck naked except for shoes on their feet and pumpkins on their heads. On Halloween.

3. Boulder always sports an unusually high percentage of college students as residents.


Are #1, 2, and 3 all saying the exact same thing about Boulder, but from different directions?

There's a case to be made.

The rest of the Boulder roommate lowdown:

• small college town, about 100,000 - Boulder's roommate population is younger and better educated than the national average because it's always some large percentage college students.
• Boulder is 25 miles northwest of Denver, at the base of the Rocky Mountains and more than a mile above sea level. Boulder's scenic snowcapped mountain views are so prized it's illegal to mess with them as they enacted an ordinance to limit the height of new buildings back in the 1970s.
• There's a whole lot of commuting, mostly back and forth from Denver. If a Boulderite doesn't work or study in Boulder, they probably drive to Denver, it's about 30 minutes. Similarly, about 1/2 the jobs inside Boulder are filled by folks commuting from outside it, usually from Denver. The take home: If you don't like being on the road, avoid all of these commuters while they're causing heavy congestion.
• Boulder is a little over an hour's drive from several of the top-rated ski resorts in the country.
• Boulder is more bicycle-friendly than most towns, now well known for their grade-separated bicycle paths integrated into a network of lanes, tracks, and on-street routes including pedestrian underpasses.
• Boulder is home to the main campus of the University of Colorado (the state's largest university), Naropa University, and Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Boulder's:

• Nature Preserves: Boulder is surrounded by thousands of acres of nature preserves featuring mountains, rivers and forest. Opportunities abound for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and wildlife watching.
• The Bolder Boulder: Hosted every year since 1979, during which over 50,000 joggers, runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers compete in the 5th largest road race in the world.
• The Plunge: Hundreds of citizens plunge themselves into the freezing Boulder Reservoir every New Year's Day since 1983. Rescue workers armed with hot tubs will be standing by to revive you and your roommates.
• Every Halloween between 1998 and 2008, several dozen folks ran around downtown Boulder buck naked except for shoes on their feet and pumpkins on their heads. Then in 2009 the whole Naked Pumpkin Run was threatened with legal repercussions. Many reboots have been attempted, so nude dudes with hollowed-out pumpkins on their heads are still considered semi-normal . . .
  
  . . . but only on Halloween.
  
  If you and your roommates go naked pumpkinhead native you should never run by your fellow Boulderites on Thanksgiving too as that would not be socially acceptable.

Here's the city of Boulder's Landlord, Tenant, and Roommate Resources, which you'll hopefully never need if you choose the right roommates. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BUFFALO

Average roommate rent in Buffalo is $450.

Find a roommate in Buffalo: 1908th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 87th for quality of life.**

Your Buffalo roommate search may experience #45 (out of 150) in Best City vibes. Also #19 in Cheapest Places to Live vibes and #75 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy a low cost of living with diverse young professionals with new Buffalo roommates: 8th Lowest Cost of Living, 55th Best for Young Professionals, and 59th Most Diverse out of 228 cities in America..****

Buffalo neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Williamsville, Eggertsville, Parkside, Clarence Center, East Aurora, Kenmore, Harris Hill, North Park, North Buffalo, and University Heights.*****

Buffalo's roommates are spending 43% < $ than NYC's.******

Buffalo's largest hoodmap tags: lumberjacks be pullin syrup out of trees, snow walls, poor white people, botanical gardens, rick james corpse, rich white people, used to play pro hockey, more gentrification, and canada, eh?.*******

Buffalo residents have a commute time several minutes less than average. Most households have only 1 car, and a larger percentage of Buffalo employees both carpool (10%) and take public transit (10%) to work compared to the rest of the country.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Buffalo roommate rundown:

Buffalo is near the US border with Canada, opposite Fort Erie, Ontario. Buffalo proper is very small, but the larger Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro area has over a million folks. Crossing back and forth at the four border crossings is popular and easy for anyone with a passport.

Buffalo is VERY cheap for New York state. That's mostly because it's closer to Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh than NYC. Your lifestyle expenses will be much more similar to Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh as well. All comparatively cheap for metros around that size!

Severe snow happens, immediately followed by city crews removing it. Buffalo handles its winter well; residents in town don't have to slow down much.

And yes, you should eat the famous wings and see the famous Falls once or twice, more if you're into them.

But it's even more Buffalo-typical to eat Cheerios with your roommates on your porch!

The rest of the Buffalo roommate lowdown:

• located on the eastern end of Lake Erie, near the United States border with Canada, opposite Fort Erie, Ontario - small city of about 275,000, but the larger Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area is over a million estimated population
• Buffalo is divided into 5 districts and 35 neighborhoods. Main Street divides the city with the West Side somewhat more expensive than the East Side.
• VERY low cost of living FOR New York state, which makes sense as Buffalo is actually closer to Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh than NYC
• severe winter snow (about 100 inches annually!) during about 7 months of winter, but snow doesn't sideline most Buffalonians as city crews plow and salt the roads regularly
• Everyone loves the weather all the rest of the time that's not winter.
• home to three State University of New York campuses, including University at Buffalo, Buffalo State College, and Erie Community College
• The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) operates Buffalo's public transportation, including its airport, over 300 buses, light-rail system, and harbors.
• There are four border crossings from the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area into Canada. Crossing the border is usually easy if you have a passport.
• waterfront hub, the city's total area is about 22% water
• While crime in Buffalo is still higher than the national average, crime has decreased significantly since the end of the crack epidemic in the 1990s.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Buffalo's:

• Cheerios: They've been made in Buffalo for over 75 years. A toasty oat aroma wafts along the Buffalo River as they bake them fresh every day. You could also wear the popular local T-shirt that says, "My city smells like Cheerios" as that will frequently come true if you move here.
• Architecture: Buffalo is rated one of the top cities in the country for architecture, featuring many buildings considered masterpieces, including the Buffalo Central Terminal, the Buffalo City Court Building, the Seneca One Tower, the Darwin D. Martin House Complex, and the Art Deco Buffalo City Hall
• Art Galleries: Over 50 art galleries, including the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the Buffalo History Museum, and the Buffalo Museum of Science
• Honeycomb Toffee, Butter Lambs, and Beef on Weck: In addition to the famous wings, Buffalo is known for its honeycomb toffee (a sponge made from mostly molasses and baking soda), butter lambs (tiny frozen sculptures made of butter with eyes of peppercorn or clove), and beef on weck (rare roast beef sandwiches served with horseradish and dipped in au jus). Food trucks are very popular.
• Niagara Falls is a major tourist attraction, mostly during summer.
• Buffalo Theater District: over 20 professional theater companies
• Porchfests: Various Buffalo Porchfests feature many beers plus many bands showcasing themselves on porch "stages" all over the city. The original kicked off in Elmwood Village, but newer porch-centric events are also underway in other celebratory Buffalo neighborhoods. If you and your roommates have a porch, you might consider letting local musicians use it as a stage! They'll probably only be there temporarily. Probably.
• Grain Silos: Many miles of giant hollow abandoned grain silos along the Buffalo River are getting a second life as they're transformed into cultural spaces for poetry, live music, and theater performances. Both public vs. private and walking vs. boating tours are available. Some tours would take you and your roommates all the way to the stunning tops of the now historical grain elevators.

Here's the link to sign up for BUFFALERT, which will send you text messages to warn you of upcoming possible emergencies in Buffalo. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

BURLINGTON

Average roommate rent in Burlington is $500.

Find a roommate in Burlington: 448th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 68th for quality of life.**

Your Burlington roommate search may experience #20 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA vibes.***

Enjoy young professionals in one of the best places to live in Vermont with new Burlington roommates: 5th Best Places for Young Professionals in Vermont and 16th Best Places to Live in Vermont.****

Burlington has a shorter than average commute (18 minutes). Burlington households also have the average 2 cars, but 20% of employees walk to work, significantly higher than average.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Burlington roommate rundown:

Burlington is the largest city in Vermont and considered its cultural and educational center. However, that's only about 45,000 folks?

Burlington features harsh winters, but lush and sacred summers no one ever wants to waste.

There are no traffic jams and excellent air quality (obviously related). But you and your roommates will need at least one snow-worthy vehicle.

And speaking of snow, it's the best here. All the snow sports you can name plus international ice hockey and ice fishing. Also winter bashes, fests, and carnivals, all involving maple syrup.

They also adore flannel, farmers' markets, and water resistant wool parkas.

Probably why their crime rate is so low. Everyone just stays super cozy.

The rest of the Burlington roommate lowdown:

• Burlington is the most populous city in Vermont, but still the least populous US city to still be the most in its state with about 45,000
• in Northwest Vermont along the east shore of Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks 35 miles to the west and the Green Mountains 10 miles to the east and southeast
• Burlington is green and lush in summer but features very harsh winters. Snowstorms are possible even in spring. The severity of the cold will surprise anyone new to heavy snow, particularly their first December.
• Sunny summer days are sacred and not to be wasted, according to most Burlingtonians.
• home to several college and universities, including the University of Vermont, Burlington College, and Champlain College
• Burlington has a very low crime rate and excellent air quality.
• low population density means traffic jams are nearly nonexistent
• In 2015, Burlington because the first US city to run entirely on renewable energy.
• Almost everything in Burlington is farther apart than you'd expect for a city, including the other cities on this list. Since snow is also an issue most of the year, it's highly recommended you and your roommates have at least one decent snow-worthy vehicle. Gas also tends toward more expensive than average here.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Burlington's:

• Ethan Allen Express: A passenger train running from Burlington to New York City's Union Station by way of Albany. There's one round trip daily that covers 310 miles in about 7.5 hours. It's named for American Revolutionary War hero and Vermont cofounder Ethan Allen.
• Outdoor Snow Sports: They're the biggest and best here, with about 18 ski resorts on various mountains nearby. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are very popular, with cross-country skiing, showshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing available too. Ice-wise inside, Burlington has a long history with hockey as well, as it was the location of the first international ice hockey match and now hosts many hockey championships.
• Hiking Trails: Burlington (along with the rest of Vermont) is nicknamed the "Green Mountain State" as the mountains are beautifully blanketed with wildflowers after the snow melts. Right after all that snow mud dries up and before summer gets too muggy is the best time for you and your roommates to explore Burlington's hiking trails.
• Burlington Farmers Market: Operates year round with about 100 vendors of locally grown food, art, and flowers.
• Ben & Jerry's: In 1978, the original Ben & Jerry's opened in Burlington in a renovated gas station. The now multinational company maintains headquarters in South Burlington and a factory in Waterbury.
• Maples: Burlington (along with the rest of Vermont) is known for brilliant fall foliage and natural maple syrup, their superior sweetener. "Leaf peeping" tourists come from all over to photograph the leaves from September to November, and the Maple Festival honors the syrup. (Do not EVER serve a Vermonter any fake ass maple syrup. Syrup social acceptability = local real deal only.)
• Winter Everything: Burlingtonians are determined to stave off any possible winter depression or despair with carnivals and fairs as popular with snow on the ground as anything during summer: Brrlington Winter Bash, the Middlebury Winter Fest and the Stowe Winter Carnival.
• Fashion Flannel: f you and your roommates want to make a statement in winter you'll do that with high-fashion flannel shirts, waterproof winter boots, and snuggly wool parkas. Fashion = flannel = don't fight it or you'll freeze to death.
• Filing Cabinet: There's a 38-drawer filing cabinet built by local artist Bren Alvarez that claims to be the Earth's tallest filing cabinet. It's a comment on bureaucratic delay, with each drawer associated with a year of paperwork associated with the legal battles associated with a local street project. You and your roommates can visit it where it remains way too tall for a filing cabinet and still sitting on a parking lot on Flynn.

Here's the city of Burlington's Rental Resource page, including Resources & Guides to renting in Vermont and Tenant Rights & Responsibilities. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

CALGARY

Average roommate rent in Calgary is $600.

Find a roommate in Calgary, where the average proportion of income spent in rent plus utilities is 21%. Only 9% of renters live overcrowded.*********

Calgary is 23rd out of 153 Canadian cities for cost of living, and 10th best city to live in Canada.**

Calgary's roommates are spending 47% < $ than NYC's.******

Calgary's largest hoodmap tags: lock your car doors, drivers causing deerfoot chaose, little india, dave's not here man, dangerous community, rich people, expensive af homes, where the popular girls become nurses, old money, white trash, this is not the land . . . this is glendale.*******

SO, roomiematch.com's Calgary roommate rundown:

Calgary has long cold winters with severe nighttime temperature drops . . . but it's still dry and sunny!

If you can handle a long winter punctuated with hail at a high elevation, you'll be rewarded with a Stampede! The Calgary Stampede. It's in July. You and your roommates are not required to don cowboy gear and sidle up to stacks of pancakes. But you should.

If you're into any outdoor sport played upon an exceedingly crisp snowscape, you'll love Calgary, which many winter adventurers already know!

However, if you and your roommates prefer staying in to bundling up, you'll have to get creative to keep yourselves entertained, for sure.

But all roommates, wintersporting and non, will be rewarded with a clean safe friendly city with cleaner air and lower taxes! Cleaner and lower than most cities Calgary's size!

Also there are many trains with well-behaved dogs riding around on them right now.

The rest of the Calgary roommate lowdown:

• Calgary is a clean safe city with clean air and a low sales tax in southern Alberta along Highway 1 at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
• In terms of elevation, Calgary is the highest metro area in Canada, so it features long cold winters, heavy rain in summer, and nighttime temperature drops that are severe . . . but it's often a very dry and sunny freezing cold!
• Calgary lies within Alberta's "Hailstorm Alley" which tends to see severely damaging hailstorms every few years.
• home to Mount Royal University, SAIT Polytechnic, Bow Valley College, Alberta University of the Arts, Ambrose University College, St. Mary's University College, and the University of Calgary
• The CTrain transit system features 9 train stations in downtown Calgary. It's free to ride downtown. Including the suburban stops, the CTrain carries over 250,000 riders every weekday. About half of Calgary's downtown workers ride the CTrain to work.
• If you'd like a dog as a roommate as well, Calgary is extremely friendly. The Ctrain features connections to over 150 offleash spaces for dogs. Many restaurants are dog-friendly too.
• There's no provincial sales tax. If you move to Calgary, there still the 5% federal Goods and Services Tax, but nothing local. The cost of living for almost everything is lower than other Canadian cities, including smaller ones.
• Calgary has more walking and cycling path than anywhere else in North America, with over 600 miles. Most of Calgary rides a bicycle, no matter how cold it gets. With all those paths connected with urban bridges and pedestrian skyways, most roommates will want to try cycling Calgary too.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Calgary's:

• Calgary Stampede: Annual rodeo and fair held every July. Over a million folks show up over just ten days, while locals put on their western wear and serve pancakes. Party!
• Columbia Icefield Skywalk: If you and your roommates are into the rest of Calgary's pedestrian skyways, you won't want to miss this one. It's their extra special skyway built into the bedrock off a cliff face! Fortunately it also features a thick glass bottom.

Here's the city of Calgary's properties and neighborhoods page, featuring community profiles, garbage recycling and compost pickup, and other resources for both property owners and renters. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

CHARLESTON

Average roommate rent in Charleston is $550.

Find a roommate in Charleston: 356th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 67th for quality of life.**

Your Charleston roommate search may experience #49 (out of 150) in Best Places to Live vibes. Also #83 in Best Places to Retire vibes and #22 in Fastest-Growing Places vibes.***

Enjoy retirees and young professionals with new Charleston roommates: 14th Best City to Retire in America and 32nd Best City for Young Professionals out of 228 cities in America.****

Charleston's largest hoodmap tags: half hood half hippie, the slums, rich white people, college of charleston, tourist hell, shoot outs, desperate housewives, gentrified hood, west virginiaaaaaaaa, and the last remnants of old mount pleasant.*******

Average commute = average (23 minutes). Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Charleston roommate rundown:

In Charleston, you'll eat the best seafood surrounded by intense local history and equally intense humidity, almost year round.

When you're between two rivers and below sea level, water everywhere dictates most of the way of life.

So, if you can handle the heat AND the humidity, Charleston is more friendly to renters and more friendly to pedestrians than most cities similarly sized. Almost half of households include renters, and almost everyone walks, at least part of the time, at least during locally-produced events suggesting that many should amble around in the friendliest way (face-to-face on foot).

In fact, most describe Charleston as friendly overall. And all y'all are not lying, nope.

But you'll also have to handle some mosquitoes and pollen. Maybe even an unfriendly hurricane. New residents should ask their favorite long-term locals for ongoing instructions on how to deal.

Which you really should, go there and deal, at least short-term, if you're into it. FEMA says if global warming continues Charleston may cease to exist as we currently know it or in the future . . . shift inward? Which could seriously surprise those inward at present.

But for roommates right now? Probably as safe as other coastal cities, but with lower rent and a greater variety of seafood snacks that will rock you like a hurricane . . . with high winds on a floodplain . . . and free wine.

The rest of the Charleston roommate lowdown:

• The heart of South Carolina Lowcountry -- featuring historic architecture near the ocean with a lot of interesting art, but affordable rents!
• Lowcountry gets its name from its low-lying topography, with most of it at or below sea level. 2/3 falls within FEMA's 100-year floodplain. Unique flora and excellent local seafood are the good news. Charleston is known for gumbo, fried oysters, deviled crab cakes, Charleston red rice, shrimp and grits, pimento cheese, and Lowcountry boil.
• Charleston is a peninsula bounded by two rivers. The Wando, Cooper, Stono, and Ashley tidal rivers display their drowned coastline, with a submerged river delta at the mouth.
• Humid and subtropical -- mild winters, hot humid summers, and rainy all year long but more summer thundershowers
• The city of Charleston is home to approximately 150,000, while the greater metro area including Berkeley and Dorchester is over 800,000. That population is expected to rise by at least 25% in the next several years, in part due to the "high tech boom" strongly encouraged by local business leaders. "The Holy City" (many churches, many stunning steeples) is now one of the fastest growing cites in America.
• several major hospitals located in the downtown area, including Johnson VA Medical Center, Roper Hospital, Trident Regional Medical Center, and the Medical University of South Carolina Medical Center
• home of the College of Charleston, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and the Medical University of South Carolina
• Charleston is one of the best markets for renters, as almost half of Charleston's households are renter occupied, keeping roommate rents competitive.
• Charleston is more pedestrian-friendly than most cities its smaller size. Some find the historic cobblestone streets challenging, but almost all find them quaint and absolutely all are encouraged to walk on them.
• 3 things worse in Charleston than most cities: Hurricanes, mosquitoes, and pollen season. Even if you never worried about any of those before, you and your roommates will need to pay attention to all 3 in Charleston.
• You and your roommates should assume any body of water substantially larger than a backyard pool has alligators and snakes swimming around in it. Keep an eye out for suspicious swimmers in uncovered backyard pools as well!

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Charleston's:

• Spoleto Festival USA: 17-day art festival featuring hundreds of performances throughout the city.
• Charleston Food and Wine Festival: Enthusiastic participation by both local and tourists with new cuisine for foodies every single year.
• Arts Walk Downtown: Is the First Friday of every month. Browse art with free wine!
• Old Slave Mart: Fully acknowledging Charleston's horrific history of slavery
• Tavern at Rainbow Row: If you and your roommates would like to buy your booze at the oldest liquor store in the country . . .
• Sullivan's Island: Some say it's guaranteed you can see a dolphin here. Ask a local for the best view.
• Bull Island: Y'all refers to one person, singular. All y'all refers to more than one person or an entire group. And all y'all roommates could go stare at a sunbathing alligator on Bull Island.

Here's the Charleston county's list of links for online services, including resources for residents. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

CHARLOTTE

Average roommate rent in Charlotte is $650.

Find a roommate in Charlotte and save more than $568 per month ($6816 per year).* Charlotte is 88th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 87th for quality of life. It's also ranked the best city to live in North Carolina!**

Your Charlotte roommate search may experience #30 (out of 150) in Best Places to Live vibes. Also #62 in Best Places to Retire vibes and #24 in Fastest-Growing Places vibes.***

Enjoy diverse young professionals pursuing health with new Charlotte roommates: 22nd Most Diverse, 44th Best for Young Professionals, and 80th for Healthiest City out of 228 cities in America.****

Charlotte neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Dilworth, Uptown, Cherry, Providence Estates East, Providence Plantation, Provincetowne, Ashbrook/Clawson Village, Beverly Woods, Providence Crossing, and Elizabeth*****

Charlotte's roommates are spending 31% < $ than NYC's.******

Charlotte's largest hoodmap tags: outdoors activities for days, new money, super hood, uncle daddy rollin' coal, crackhead dance offs, friendly robbers, where high school football players go to, desis out for their evening walk, country clubs, comfy suburbanites, old money, and more relocated yankees.*******

Charlotte's average commute is a little longer than average (26 minutes). Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Charlotte roommate rundown:

Charlotte might primarily be known as "Bank City, USA" because it . . . has a lot of banks? Yup. No, not trying to insult your intelligence. No, not a trick question. Nope. Just a lot of banks.

But you might not already know that's not just a lot of banks, but #2 in banks? After NYC, predictably, but that's still a lot of banks headquartered in a city that's way smaller than #2 in size after NYC, right? Yet there they all are.

However, if you're now imagining a monochromatically concrete downtown, the opposite happened. In between its banks, Charlotte features lots of greenspace with an extensive tree canopy. If you're within Charlotte's city limits, you can always reach out your hands and touch both trees and banks! Even from inside your apartment!

(Just kidding! Not everyone can touch both a tree and a bank from inside their apartment, but more than you'd probably imagine. Banks and residential apartments frequently share buildings surrounded by trees so there you go.)

There's also arguably more motorsports and more pimento cheese than anywhere else. Ever.

The rest of the Charlotte roommate lowdown:

• humid and subtropical climate -- summers are long and warm, winters are cool, freezing storms rare
• Charlotte is the most populous city in North Carolina, and usually growing. Within city limits there are almost 900,000 people, with close to 3 million in the greater metropolitan area.
• Charlotte is "Bank City, USA," the second-largest banking center in the US, after NYC. Many banks are headquartered or feature significant branches here.
• home to Barber-Scotia College, Davidson College, Johnson-Smith University, Catawba College, Livingstone College, Queens College, Wingate Collge, Winthrop University, and the University of North Carolina
• More motorsports industry racing in Charlotte than anywhere else, with the US's only Formula One team, NASCAR, NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Understandably, most of NASCAR's people live in or near Charlotte.
• Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) carries over 16 million passengers annually, on light rail, streetcars, buses and vanpools. Many privately carpool as well, and Amtrak is very active here. So while Charlotte is doing well on the public transport and ride sharing front . . . it's still not rated well for walkability. So you and your roommates will probably still want cars if you venture much outside the city center and/or off the main lines.
• Traveling by car, the central core/Uptown is laid out in a grid, with the streets numbered, and running east-west! Easy for almost everyone! HOWEVER, recent roommate transplants will likely find the outer ring of suburbs more difficult to navigate. They are NOT laid out in a grid. They're not really laid out according to much that'll make sense while driving on them. Also, the names of the streets change at random right in the middle . . . to the same names shared by other nearby streets? Suburban navigation for newbies will necessarily involve a good GPS system plus good directions, get both before you venture out there or prepare to GET LOST.
• Some of Charlotte is friendly to cyclists with designated bike lanes. The rest, not so much (some say NOT AT ALL). If you want to cycle more safely using bike lanes, you'll probably want to plan your route in advance.
• Due in large part to North Carolina's long history with tobacco, smoking cigarettes in public is more common here than in most American cities. Smoking is still popular in clubs and concert venues and on outdoor decks . . . but it's also increasingly common to ask others if they'll be bothered before lighting up, especially around food. In short, it's a confusing time for tobacco in Charlotte. If it's important to you to be able to smoke during an event OR that an event is completely smoke free, you should ask in advance.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Charlotte's:

• Outdoor Adventuring Opportunities: U.S. National Whitewater Center has man-made rapids you and your roommates could enjoy year round, plus mountain biking and whitewater rafting. If that doesn't float your raft you can hike up some rocks at Crowders Mountain State Park.
• Uptown Museums: You could visit several within walking distance of each other, including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the Levine Museum of the New South, and the Mint Museum.
• Pimento Cheese: Charlotte is considered by many to be the Pimento Cheese Capital of the World. You can order it by the pound. It might be called "salad," it might end up on a hot dog or alongside some BBQ, it should probably end up inside you and your roommates.
• Cheerwine: Cherry-flavored soda that Charlotte loves. R.C. Cola is also popular. "Sweet ice tea" (or locally, just "tea") is the most popular non-carbonated drink, and is usually served ice cold too but much sweeter than most sodas and colas.
• Metalmorphosis: A reflecting pool in an office park containing a mirrored head with 40 steel pieces. It rotates. It spits water. You and your roommates will never see anything quite like it, especially in the suburbs (it's in Ballantyne).

Here's the city of Charlotte's listings for Housing and Neighborhoods. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

CHEYENNE

Average roommate rent in Cheyenne is $310.

Find a roommate in Cheyenne: 1940th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 61st for quality of life.**

Enjoy both young professionals and retirees with new Cheyenne roommates: 4th Best Place for Young Professionals and 12th Best Place to Retire in Wyoming.****

Cheyenne's largest hoodmap tags: don't live next to this guy and unfunniest place in the world.*******

Most employees in Cheyenne drive alone to work and have a shorter than average commute (15 minutes). Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Cheyenne roommate rundown:

Cheyenne is cheap and clean and open and gorgeous.

It's also wet, Western, and WINDY.

The pace of life is slow. The cowboys don't hurry much. Or humor vegetarians much.

But they will not charge you taxes much either.

Or roommate rent. All costs of living are low, so you and your roommates should spend whatever's extra maintaining your motor vehicles, which everyone needs to navigate the heavy rain and high winds which you will experience alongside few public transport options.

Cheyenne = Have Good Car.

(No roommates will ever have much fun as exceptions to that rule.)

The rest of the Cheyenne roommate lowdown:

• Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming, the most populous city in the state, and its commercial center, located in the southeast corner. But even though it's the most populous, that's still only around 65,000 folks? With the rest of Laramie County, about 100,000.
• Cheyenne is a small town character for sure, including the low crime rate and less polluted air . . . which also means it's a smaller roommate market. So you can find a roommate in Cheyenne, but best results will mean giving yourself as much lead time as you possibly can.
• Cheyenne is slow-paced. It's more gorgeous and natural and open than the average American city.
• Cheyenne is named in honor of the Cheyenne Native American tribe.
• Many residents are employed by the U.S. Air Force, the Wyoming National Guard, or local ranches.
• home to the Laramie County Community College
• Cheyenne weather is extra for most because it's extra unpredictable and extra windy. Cheyenne is even known for dramatically different weather in different parts of the city at the same moment in time. Summer features dry days mixed with severe storms with very heavy rain. Winter features snow. And locals say you can experience all four seasons every spring, often including tornados. But fall tends to be peaceful.
• Cheyenne is closer than many imagine to Denver, about 90 miles north. Depending on traffic the trip takes about 90 minutes, and high speed rail routes are planned for the future.
• Cheyenne is laid out simply in a grid, and on-street parking is available! Which will be very helpful to you and your roommates with cars which you hope will be all of them because public transport is just a few bus lines and a trolley. Everyone will want access to a reliable vehicle. Don't get stranded in the proverbial middle of nowhere during a dark and stormy night.
• With zero income tax plus low property, sales, auto, and state taxes, Cheyenne is one of the "tax friendliest" cities in the country.
• Cheyenne is long famous for celebrating "true Western" culture. Cowboy hats, boots, and belts are forever welcome and never out of place. They may be seen on actual cowboys driving trucks toward chicken-fried steaks or elk and bison burgers.
• Meanwhile, Cheyenne is not the nicest place for vegetarians. This is cattle country, and ranching is a way of life.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Cheyenne's:

• Cheyenne Frontier Days: Ten days near the end of July known as the largest rodeo festival in the world. In addition to professional bull riding, you can also watch bareback riding, barrel racing, bronc riding, calf roping, steer roping and wrestling, team roping . . . and a carnival with rides! And a parade!
• Yellowstone National Park: KIND OF. Meaning . . . not really, but if you're brand new to the Northern Great Plains, it's about a 9-hour drive and worth it, but only if you won't mind at least two long drives across the plains. You and your roommates in a reliable vehicle could visit over a very long weekend, MAYBE. But probably better to take the week.
• The Stars: In the sky. There are a lot, and you can see them in Cheyenne. Outside larger urban areas this activity is called "stargazing."

Here's the city of Cheyenne's listing of Community Recreation & Events. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

CHICAGO

Average roommate rent in Chicago is $740.

Find a roommate in Chicago: 195th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 96th for quality of life.**

Your Chicago roommate search may experience #79 (out of 150) in Best Places to Live vibes. Also #56 in Best Places to Retire vibes.***

Enjoy a diverse range of young professionals engaged in healthy outdoor activities with new Chicago roommates: 7th Most Diverse, 21st Best for Young Professionals, 46th Best for Outdoor Activities, and 52nd Healthiest out of 228 cities in America.****

Chicago neighborhoods where roommates get > for = $: Printers Row, West Loop, Loop, Greektown, Streeterville, River North, Lake View, Gold Coast, North Center, and Old Town.*****

Chicago's roommates are spending 31% < $ than NYC's.******

Chicago's largest hoodmap tags: former frat guys, angry delicious Korean BBQ, tacos made by white people, den of corruption, mexican families and hipsters, secret gentrification, billionnaires, heroin town, soo many hipsters, industrial feels, Chinatown, stupid tourists everywhere, New-to-Midwesterners, and enhanced interrogation.*******

Almost 27% of Chicago takes public transit to work! Those who drive have a longer commute than average (35 minutes). Most households have 1 car, less than the national average.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Chicago roommate rundown:

Chicago looms large, because it is, along with its place in America's imagination . . . blues, jazz, improv comedy, America's largest lake next to a modern art skyline looming large over modern art parks. And some of those parks feature their very own professional sports teams.

Chicago isn't cheap, some neighborhoods now obviously more than others. But for how big it is plus all it features, it should seem cheap-ish? Compared to NYC and San Francisco?

If you can handle extreme weather, you and your roommates will be rewarded with cheaper rent, lower cost of living, and almost everything else you and your roommates could possibly need accessible from "The L." That's The L that makes Chicago one of the best cities to live without a car, The L that connects an astonishingly diverse collection of communities, and The L that is generally beloved.

From all the beachfront still free to browse, to the public transport arriving reliably, to the dive bar food that's delicious, there's so much about Chicago that seems better than it strictly needs to be. So much art, so much history, so much black culture . . . near the most delicious hot dogs and pizza humanly possible.

What's NOT to love? Not much, except how do you feel about riding The L in extreme weather, hot and cold?

Awesome? Or if not all the way to awesome, you can most definitely deal?

This Windy City is for you.

The rest of the Chicago roommate lowdown:

• Chicago is the hub and most populous Midwestern city. It has about 3 million residents, and an impressively modern art/modern architectural skyline you can see from all the way across Lake Michigan.
• "Chicagoland" (Chicago plus surrounding areas) includes about 10 million.
• home to Barat College, East-West University, Elmhurst College, Illinois College of Optometry, Industrial Engineering College, Judson College, Kendall College, Robert Morris College, Trinity Christian College, Aurora University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Chicago State University, Columbia College, Concordia University, Governors State University, John Marshall Law School, Lake Forest College, Lewis University, North Central College, Northeastern Illinois University, Saint Xavier University, School of Art Institute of Chicago, Adler School of Professional Psychology, Depaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Loyola University of Chicago, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, Rush University, Trinity College, University of Chicago, University of Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Wheaton College
• There may be other cities as diverse as Chicago . . . maybe? You won't find any more diverse in the United States. Representatives from most global communities live in Chicago today.
• Navigating Chicago is way easier than most American cities as block numbers and block sizes are standardized, with all flowing from the zero point (the intersection of State and Madison).
• Metro Chicago residents identify more strongly with their neighborhoods than most cities, with North Side vs. South Side being the most prominent division, but many feel pretty strongly about East vs. West as well.
• Their massive public transport system makes Chicago one of the best places to live in the US without a car. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates many trains and buses throughout Chicago plus a few suburbs. All the trains together are "The L," and their lines radiate from "The Loop" all over the city. Chicago and NYC are the only American cities with some rail service operating around the clock. Crime on the CTA is low, but if you feel unsafe or need to travel late at night you'll be safer sitting near the driver.
• Even with severely cold winters, extremely hot and humid summers, and thunderstorms with heavy winds surprising residents year round, Chicago rarely slows down for weather, including city services and public transport. However, the weather is often so severe you and your roommates will need to keep climate in mind when considering any activity almost all the time anyway.
• Avoid driving downtown if possible. Traffic is awful and parking is expensive while also confusing. Tickets and towing for parking violations afflict many, even more when it's snowing.
• Chicago's black population is #2 in the US, after NYC. Chicago's larger South Side area is the largest black neighborhood with the largest number of black-owned businesses in the country too!
• Chicago has a lot of passionate bicyclers, many gathering along the 18-mile scenic lakefront trail or "Hipster Highway," a popular bike route along Milwaukee Avenue.
• Chicago is one of the best restaurant cities. Is it known for deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian Beef sandwiches, jibarito sandwiches, frozen custard, fried chicken, and dive bars and lounges with decent pub food? Yes, it is! But just about everything else is being served somewhere in Chicago too.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Chicago's:

• Museum Campus: Chicago has a lot of museums worth visiting, but three of the best are within walking distance of each other and along the lake: Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium.
• Lake Michigan: Free (no fees, hardly any private beaches getting in the way) for miles within walking distance of the Red Line. It's the largest freshwater lake in the US, and you can show up, walk around, and swim for free . . . but mostly in the summer and early fall if you want to maximize lifeguards = yes while freezing to death = no. It's beautiful!
• Offshore Views: In the summer, you and your roommates can enjoy great views for cheap by taking a water taxi around downtown.
• Loop Art Tour: Free open air art museum of famous modern artists! Their itinerary will guide you along the walking tour that's an efficient route to visit Calder, Chagall, Lewitt, Miro, Moore, Oldenburg, Picasso and many others . . . all this magnificent modernism on display in Chicago's commercial center.
• Blues and Jazz: As Chicago is considered the home of both, you've got extreme options. Really, so many options it's likely there will be a major music festival most weekends. If you like walking around, you'll likely stumble right into one, eventually. If that's not a "Fest" celebrating one or more musical traditions, it'll likely be a "Taste" or a "Lollapalooza!"
• Park & Boulevard System: Ring of parks connected by boulevards (streets with wide medians with plants and pedestrian walkways) winding throughout the city, over 25 miles of greenbelt. And then even along those 25 miles there are other connected gardens and lakes. If you or your roommates want to walk longish distances in very green but still accessible and connected spaces, this is a absolute must ramble.

Here's the city of Chicago's list of services for renters and landlords, which you'll hopefully never need if you choose the right roommates. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

CINCINNATI

Average roommate rent in Cincinnati is $350.

Find a roommate in Cincinnati: 1817th out of 2202 US cities for cost of living, and 87st for quality of life.**

Your Cincinnati roommate search may experience #50 (out of 150) in Best Places to Live vibes. Also #34 in Best Places to Retire vibes. And finally, #1 in Best Places to Live in Ohio!***

Enjoy outdoor activities with young professionals in a city enjoying a lower cost of living with new Cincinnati roommates: 42nd for Young Professionals, 69th for Lowest Cost of Living, and 94th for Outdoor Activities out of 228 cities in America.****

Cincinnati's roommates are spending 47% < $ than NYC's.******

Cincinnati's largest hoodmap tags: high school football, sketchy white people, HOA hell, Crazy Australian + Bible Theme Park, Florence Y'all!, Waffle House, and nothing else, who the hell put a casino here??, and good food.*******

Cincinnati's average commute (25 minutes) is just under national. Most households have 2 cars.********

SO, roomiematch.com's Cincinnati roommate rundown:

Cincinnati has a reputation for cheap rent, Cincinnati-style chili, and crime? Also abandoned places you can visit and one of the best park systems in the country?

That's a lot, but which of these factors is most relevant to you and your roommates will fully depend on the neighborhood. This is a metro area that features highly variable neighborhoods with dramatically different characters.

Cincinnati is also a metro area that's often called the best place to live in Ohio . . . even though it's kinda sorta also Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio? And don't leave out Lake Erie.

Meanwhile, it's definitely actually in the midwest, geographically, but culturally significantly Southern Bluegrass too.

In short, Cincinnati has a lot for you and your roommates to explore, almost everything cheaper than other metro areas in the country, and chances are good you can find the right neighborhood for you. But until you're familiar do proceed with caution. Go together as a group until you're comfortable, and you'll be much happier in a reliable car.

(No really, you don't want to move to Cincinnati without that reliable car.)

But if driving that reliable car to a chili parlor sounds appealing, you're already on your way!

The rest of the Cincinnati roommate lowdown:

• Metro "Cincinnati" is centered on Cincinnati, but also includes nearby counties in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. It's Ohio's third largest city (just over 300,000), but the largest metro region featuring many towns and suburbs, including Florence (Kentucky), Lebanon, Mason, Milford-Miami, and Oxford . . . about 2.25 million.
• There are four distinct seasons with a few to several snow days. Extreme weather like large hail or a tornado happen occasionally, but overall, Cincinnati weather actually isn't that severe most years.
• Cincinnati is geographically midwest, but culturally many feel Cincinnati is more a part of the Southern Bluegrass culture of Kentucky.
• Public transportation exists, but just a bit, as public buses exist, served by two bus systems. You should check the continuing availability of your route before taking the bus even though buses are still not known for reliability so and . . . you and your roommates will probably still want cars.
• Home to Cleveland Institute of Art, Dyke College, Baldwin-Wallace College, John Carroll University, Lake Erie College, Notre Dame College, Oberlin College, Ursuline College, Cast Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Cleveland State University
• Cincinnati has a fantastic park system / Urban Forest - From a more intense hike to just wandering around in incredible green forestry just to take it all in, Cincinnati's incredible park system offers both. There are over 40 public parks, and in total they feature hiking trails, nature preserves, lakes, and out-of-the-way gardens.
• Cincinnati-style chili is all meat, no beans or onion. "Three-way" is over spaghetti with cheddar on top, "four-way" add onions or beans, and "five-way" means add them all. The debate over which chili parlor does all of this the best is dramatic and ongoing, with several different parlors with their own devoted fans. Hopefully you and your roommates seriously like chili some kinda way!
• Cincinnati has a reputation for crime, both violent and property. However, while the city has over 50 declared neighborhoods, most of the crime occurs in just several. The neighborhoods in which crime occurs most frequently are the most impoverished.

After you're settled down, you and your roommates should experience Cincinnati's:

• Downtown: Mostly walkable, featuring over 50 buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places, in addition to several theaters, statues, and murals.
• Findlay Market: Ohio's oldest public market operating continuously
• Lucky Cat Museum: 2000+ Maneki-nekos or Japanese luck idols will wave their paws at you and your roommates encouragingly. They'll wave only during limited hours though, so experience those plastic cats by checking ahead to make sure this museum is open before going.
• Lindner Park - Many semi-abandoned structures to explore, like a pool, an ice house, and a turtle pond. You and your roommates can visit between dawn and dusk.

Here's the city of Cincinnati's official .gov for all their resources for residents, including rental resources. And here's the roommate matching metro list.

Cleveland

(find a roommate in Cleveland)  (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $350

- located along Lake Erie
- winters are cloudy, snow is frequent, summer is brief
- Amtrak
- medium airline hub
- recently restored waterfront area
- Cleveland Symphony Orchestra is world class
- home to Cleveland Institute of Art, Dyke College, Baldwin-Wallace College, John Carroll University, Lake Erie College, Notre Dame College, Oberlin College, Ursuline College, Cast Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Cleveland State University

College Station

(find a roommate in College Station)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $600

- small college town
- halfway between Dallas and Houston, about 60 miles east of Austin
- winters are mild, but summer heat is intense
- most months feature frequent thunderstorms
- low cost of living
- Sam Houston National Forest is about 30 miles east
- local sports teams are very popular
- home to Texas A&M University

Colorado Springs

(find a roommate in Colorado Springs)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $550

- mid-sized city on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains
- 65 miles south of Denver
- mild climate with low humidity
- mild weather compared to the rest of Colorado
- small airline hub
- strong military presence
- home to U.S. Air Force Academy, Beth El College of Nursing, Colorado College, and the University of Colorado

Columbia, South Carolina

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average roommate rent is $500

- capital city with a college town atmosphere
- commercial, industrial, and educational hub for South Carolina
- very long, hot, humid summers, winters are very mild
- along the Congaree River
- Amtrak
- small airline hub
- home to Benedict College, Columbia College, and the University of South Carolina

Columbus

(find a roommate in Columbus)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $550

- capital city located in the center of Ohio
- along the Scioto River, 4 small rivers run through the city
- summers are warm and humid, winters both rainy and snowy, fog is common
- medium airline hub
- diverse economy with recent urban revitalization
- citizens better educated than national average
- home to College of Art & Design, Denison University, Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Ohio Dominican College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Capital University, Franklin University, Otterbein College, and Ohio State University

Dallas or Fort Worth

(find a roommate in Dallas or Fort Worth)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $700

- very large urban area topographically
- summers are very hot and humid, terrain is relatively treeless, winters are mild
- large airline hub
- Amtrak
- several cultural landmarks and parks
- several popular professional sports teams
- bizarrely large number of retail stores
- Dallas is home to Northwood University, Paul Quinn College, Amber University, Criswell College, Dallas Baptist University, East Texas State University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Women's University, University of Dallas, University of North Texas, and the University of Texas SW Medical Center
Fort Worth is home to Southwestern Adventist College, Texas Wesleyan University, Texas Christian University, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center

Denver

(find a roommate in Denver)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $800

- capital city, commercial, financial, industrial and government center for Colorado
- on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by 3 mountain ranges
- changeable climate, extremely hot or cold temperatures tend to be brief
- large airline hub
- Amtrak
- features one of the best reviewed urban-core restorations in the country
- nearby mountains offer many skiing, hiking, fishing and watersport recreational opportunities
- large public library system
- active performing arts culture
- a few very popular professional sports teams
- home to Metropolitan State College, Regis University, Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado, and the University of Denver

Des Moines

(find a roommate in Des Moines)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $400

- capital of Iowa, located near its center
- Iowa's most populous city
- marked seasonal contrast, with warm, humid summers, and winters with frequent snowstorms and drifting snow
- cultural and economic heart of Iowa
- strong agricultural presence
- home of the Iowa State Fair
- ethnic diversity is low
- cost of living is low
- home to the first presidential primary caucus
- home to several art and history museums and performing arts groups, including the Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines Playhouse, Des Moines Symphony, State of Iowa Historical Museum, and the Metro Arts Alliance
- extensive skywalk system downtown
- many parks and golf courses
- home of several colleges and universities, including Drake University, Grand View University, Simpson College, Upper Iowa University, and William Penn University

Detroit

(find a roommate in Detroit)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $500

- large city
- along the Detroit River, across the border from Windsor, Ontario
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- severe winter storms, frequent summer heat
- diverse socioeconomic character
- variety of neighborhoods
- local sports teams are extremely popular
- lots of classical music performance
- home of Baker College, Center for Creative Studies, Detroit College of Business, Michigan Christian College, William Tyndale College, Baker College of Port Huron, Lawrence Institute of Technology, Marygrove College, Walsh College of Accounting, Oakland University, University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan

Edmonton

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average roommate rent is $540

- large capital city
- Canada's sixth largest city
- center of Alberta along the Saskatchewan River, the landscape is mostly flat
- northernmost metro area in Canada
- long cold winters
- heavy rain in summer
- many trolleys
- large airline hub
- city is laid out in a grid, with a mix of older and modern buildings
- location of the West Edmonton Mall, said to be the North America's largest, kind of like an amusement park
- many arts amenities
- home to University of Alberta, Athabasca University, Concordia University College of Alberta, King's University College, and the Edmonton campus of the University of Lethbridge

Fargo

(find a roommate in Fargo)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $350

- in easter North Dakota at the Minnesota border
- largest city in North Dakota
- ool summers and extremely cold winters, heavy thunderstorms, legendary blizzards
- agricultural, commercial, educational, cultural, and transportation center
- ethnic diversity is very low
- recently revitalized downtown zone
- very low crime rate and unemployment rate
- many cultural features for a city its size, including the Fargo Theatre, the Winter Carnival, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Opera, Plains Art Museum, and the Fargodome
- many parks and golf courses
- home of North Dakota State University, North Dakota State College of Science, and Rasmussen College

Gainesville, Florida

(find a roommate in Gainesville)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $450

- college town
- long, hot, sticky summers, almost nonexistent winters
- Amtrak
- least tourist-y metro area in Florida
- nature and wildlife viewing center, natural springs
- several nearby lakes
- frequent sinkholes, swamps, and limestone caverns
- home to the University of Florida

Grand Rapids

(find a roommate in Grand Rapids)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $500

- business hub of western Michigan
- on the Grand River, 25 miles inland from Lake Michigan
- summers are warm and humid, snow is common in winter
- near both forests and beaches
- nicknamed Furniture City, as many companies have manufactured furniture there
- small airline and Amtrak hub
- several local arts festivals are popular
- home of Michigan's only professional ballet company
- home to several professional sports teams, including ice hockey
- home to several colleges and universities, including Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, the Kendall College of Art and Design, and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Halifax or Dartmouth

(find a roommate in Halifax or Dartmouth)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $475

- located on a peninsula with the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the north, the Bay of Fundy to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east
- major port city
- one of the highest rates of public transportation use in Canada
- small airline hub
- features numerous small lakes and some higher elevations
- foggy with very serious, severe winter storms
- naval and governmental center, also a tourist destination with a popular waterfront
- home to University of King's College, Mount St. Vincent University, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, St. Mary's University, Dalhouse University, and the Technical University of Nova Scotia

Hartford

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average roommate rent is $800

- capital city
- on the Connecticut River, 40 miles north of the Long Island Sound, 110 miles northeast of New York City
- proximity to the Atlantic Ocean leads to strong northeast winds
- very cold in winter and very warm in summer
- Amtrak
- medium airline hub
- center for the insurance industry
- home to Charter Oak State College, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Hartford Graduate Center, Trinity College, Saint Joseph College, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, and Wesleyan University

Honolulu

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average roommate rent is $800

- capital city
- resort city located on the island of Oahu
- large local airport
- high cost of living due to isolation from national markets
- port of entry for most of the Hawaii's millions of visitors
- center for tourism and recreation
- strong military presence
- home to Honolulu University and Hawai'i Pacific University

Houston

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average roommate rent is $700

- 50 miles inland from the Gulf Coast
- sprawling metropolitan area, more than twice the size of Rhode Island
- mild winters, intense summer heat and humidity, foggy year-round, frequent thunderstorms
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- low cost of living
- gigantic malls
- lots of sports-related entertainment
- home to University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, Prairie View A & M University, Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, Texas Southern University, University of Texas Health Science Center, and the University of Saint Thomas

Indianapolis

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average roommate rent is $400

- capital city, geographic center of Indiana
- warm, humid summers but no extreme heat, intermittent rain and snow in winter, severe storms uncommon
- Amtrak
- medium-sized airline hub
- revitalized downtown
- spectator sports are large, including pro and college sports, and auto racing
- home to Franklin College of Indiana, Marian College, Anderson University, Indiana University, Purdue University, and the University of Indianapolis

Jackson, Mississippi

(find a roommate in Jackson)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $300

- Mississippi's capital and largest city
- humid, hot summers, mild winters
- served by Amtrak
- hub of government and commerce for the state
- one of the lowest costs of living of any US urban area
- tourism highlights local history and culture
- home to Antonelli College, Hinds Community College, Mississippi College, University of Mississippi, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center

Jacksonville, Florida

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average roommate rent is $450

- large city
- located in northeast Florida, only 16 miles from the Atlantic Ocean
- largest deep water port on the southern Atlantic Coast
- very heavy humidity, very rainy in July and August, winters are mild
- Amtrak
- medium-sized airline hub
- many beaches and golf courses
- home to Edward Waters College, Flagler College, Jones College, Jacksonville University, and the University of North Florida

Kansas City

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average roommate rent is $550

- large city on the Missouri River, near the geographic center of the U.S.
- warm summers, relatively mild winters, very windy due to lack of anything topographic to obstruct air currents
- Amtrak
- medium-sized airline hub
- famous for both barbeque ribs and blues music
- lots of professional sports fans
- home to Cleveland Chiropractic College, Kansas City Art Institute, William Jewel College, Avila College, Baker University, Mid-America Nazarene College, Ottawa University (Kansas City Branch), Park College, Rockhurst College, Saint Mary College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, University of Kansas Medical Center, and the University of Missouri

Knoxville

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average roommate rent is $450

- college town
- on the Tennessee River between the Cumberland Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains
- long summers, but the mountains ranges shelter it from extreme winter temperatures
- small local airport
- near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
- home to Knoxville College, Maryville College, and the University of Tennessee

Las Vegas

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average roommate rent is $500

- large resort city
- in southern Nevada near the Colorado River
- typical desert climate, very long, hot summer, cools off at night, winters are mild
- driest metropolitan area in the country
- large airline hub
- Amtrak
- hiking, rock climbing and skiing available in nearby mountains
- has been described as Disneyland for adults
- home to the University of Nevada

Little Rock

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average roommate rent is $300

- capital of Arkansas
- largest city in Arkansas
- center of the state along the Arkansas River
- hot, humid summers, mild winters with very little snow
- home to several colleges and universities, including University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Philander Smith College, and the Clinton School for Public Service
- home to the Clinton Presidential Library and the Little Rock Zoo

Los Angeles

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average roommate rent is $790

- huge city on the Southern California Coast, south of the San Bernadino Mountains
- surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Southern California Coastal Mountain Ranges
- almost always warm and sunny, high humidity along the coast
- Amtrak
- medium airline hub
- geologic faults cause periodic tremors
- famous for some extremely wealthy neighborhoods, but these are unaffordable for most
- boating and beach recreation is among the world's best
- because of earthquake risk, the city has sprawled outward rather than upward
- extreme dependence on the automobile and population density have caused serious traffic problems
- home to Claremont McKenna College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Scripps College, University of West Los Angeles, Antioch University, Art Center College of Design, California Institute of the Arts, California State Polytechnic University, Cal State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harvey Mudd College, Loyola Marymount University, Mount St. Mary's College, Occidental College, Otis College of Art and Design, Pacific Oaks College, Samra University of Oriental Medicine, Southern California Institute of Architecture, The Masters College, West Coast University, Whittier College, Woodbury University, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, California Institute of Technology, California School of Professional Psychology, California State University, Claremont Graduate School, Pepperdine University, University of California, University of Laverne, and the University of Southern California

Louisville

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average roommate rent is $350

- largest city in Kentucky
- in Northern Kentucky along the Ohio River
- summers are warm and humid, winters are moderate
- a major center of American whiskey
- hosts the Kentucky Derby
- home to several museums, including Frazier History Museum, Louisville Science Center, The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, and the Speed Art Museum
- home to several colleges and universities, including the University of Louisville, Bellarmine University, Spalding University, and Simmons College of Kentucky

Madison

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average roommate rent is $500

- capital city, located in south central Wisconsin
- city surrounds two lakes, Lake Mendota and Lake Monona
- summer is pleasant, winters are cold and stormy with frequent snow cover
- ethnic diversity is low
- one of the best educated urban populations in the country
- many buildings of architectural interest, including some by Frank Lloyd Wright
- active local music scene, lots of live music nightly, home of many music festivals
- several local performing arts venues including the Madison Opera, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and the Madison Ballet
- home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison Media Institute, Madison Area Technical College, and Edgewood College

Manchester

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average roommate rent is $550

- largest city in New Hampshire
- northern New England's largest city
- located in South Central New Hampshire at the Amoskeag Falls on the Merrimack River
- harsh winters with lengthy snow cover, pleasantly cool in summer
- home to several sports teams, including ice hockey, Women's Tackle Football, and flat track roller derby
- home to several colleges and universities, including Granite State College, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the New Hampshire Institute of Art, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of New Hampshire at Manchester

Memphis

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average roommate rent is $350

- largest city in Tennessee, and the largest city on the Mississippi River
- near the Arkansas and Mississippi borders
- hot and steamy summers, frequent weather changes in winter
- lots of farmland nearby
- medium airline hub
- Amtrak
- many historic highs and lows
- thought to be the home of Elvis, and the hometown of the blues
- home to Crichton College, Christian Brothers University, Le Moyne-Owen College, Rhodes College, Memphis State University, and the University of Tennessee

Miami or Fort Lauderdale

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average roommate rent is $700

- large urban area near the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula
- southernmost metro area in the country
- long warm humid summer with abundant rainfall, mild and dry winter
- hurricanes are a concern
- beaches abound
- commuter rail between Miami and Fort Lauderdale
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- considered the gateway to Latin America
- active nightlife
- major commercial, resort, and retirement area
- unique mix of cultures and heat
- many residents are fans of both professional and college sports teams
- home to Florida Memorial College, Johnson & Wales University, Trinity College, Saint Thomas University, Barry University, Florida International University, University of Miami, and Nova University

Milwaukee

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average roommate rent is $400

- large city on the western shore of Lake Michigan
- stormy winters with many severe winter storms, milder summers
- rail service to Chicago
- Amtrak
- medium airline hub
- commercial and cultural center of Wisconsin
- famous for brewing beer
- many major league sports teams that are very appreciated by residents
- recently revitalized downtown
- home to Milwaukee College of Art and Design, Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch College, Carroll College, Concordia University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Mary College, Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin

Minneapolis or Saint Paul

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average roommate rent is $600

- capital city, along the upper Mississippi River
- 20 miles west of the Wisconsin border, near the geographical center of the continent
- winters are very long and very cold, severe storms are common
- large airline hub
- Amtrak
- surrounding lakes with wildlife viewing popular in the summer
- ice-skating, hockey, snowmobiling popular in winter on the numerous lakes that freeze over in winter
- summers can be humid, but still relatively mild
- educational level of residents higher than national average
- one of the most economically diverse metroplexes in the country, several large industries represented
- modern, clean, and attractive downtown with skyways connecting many buildings
- has been said to have more theater and classical concerts per capita than any city other than New York City
- assortment of major and minor league sports teams
- home to the largest mall in the U.S., the Mall of America, which is almost like an amusement park
- home to Macalester College, Northwestern College, Augsburg College, Bethel College, College of Saint Catherine, Concordia College, Crown College, Hamline University, Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of Wisconsin, William Mitchell College of Law, University of St. Thomas, and the University of Minnesota

Montreal

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average roommate rent is $650

- cultural and economic center of eastern Canada
- large city along the St. Lawrence River
- Laurentian Mountains are to the north, Appalachians to the south and southeast
- mostly 100-150 feet above sea level
- severe temperature differences between summer and winter, very hot and very cold weather annually, wet throughout the year
- excellent transportation system with a modern subway
- commuter rail hub
- large airline hub
- while French language and culture are dominant, most citizens are bilingual, and which language is predominantly spoken depends on the neighborhood
- city is packed with museums, good restaurants, professional theaters and other performing arts facilities
- cost of living is low for a city this size with this many cultural amenities
- home to Ecole de Technologie Superieure, Concordia University, Ecole des Haves Etudes Commerciales, Ecole Polytechnique, McGill University, Universite de Montreal, and Universite du Quebec

Nashville

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average roommate rent is $700

- capital city, on the Cumberland River in the northwest corner of the Nashville Basin
- second largest city in Tennessee
- warm, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms, weather changes frequently in winter
- medium airline hub
- known worldwide as the most important country music city
- big professional sports town
- home to Aquinas Junior College, Belmont University, Cumberland University, David Lipscomb University, Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, and Vanderbilt University

New Brunswick

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average roommate rent is $600

- located approximately 30 miles southwest of Manhattan, on the bank of the Raritan River
- humid, subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters
- served by New Jersey Transit and Amtrak
- nicknamed Healthcare City, after its abundance of medical facilities, including Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Saint Peter's University Hospital, and Rutgers University's Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- award-winning local theatre scene
- home to Rutgers University

New Haven or Bridgeport

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average roommate rent is $800

- large metropolitan complex
- approx 60 miles northeast of New York City, New Haven is a port
- summers are warm and humid, but winters are milder than many surrounding areas due to the Long Island Sound
- commuter rail to New York City
- Amtrak
- very small local airport
- New Haven is known as the first planned city in the American Colonies
- cost of living generally high, high property tax rates
- home to Albertus Magnus College, Quinnipiac College, Southern Connecticut State University, University of New Haven, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, University of Bridgeport, and Yale University

New Orleans

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average roommate rent is $550

- large city in southeast Louisiana, on the Mississippi Delta
- almost entirely surrounded by water (swampland, bayous, lakes, and rivers)
- most of the city is below sea level
- summers are long, hot, and humid, with heavy downpours occurring quite suddenly
- winters are generally pleasant, but foggy
- medium-sized local airport
- Amtrak
- major cultural influences from both France and Spain, who originally colonized it
- popular tourist destination, with many carnivals to entertain them
- the arts, culture, entertainment, music, food, history and architecture are like nowhere else, and have influenced the rest of the country and the world like few other cities
- it's said you can't survive in New Orleans as an impatient person
- home to Dillard University, Loyola University, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Southern University, Xavier University, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Tulane University, and the University of New Orleans

Newark

(find a roommate in Newark)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $800

- northern New Jersey near the lower Hudson River, immediately west of NYC
- natural terrain is flat and marshy
- summers are hot and muggy, winters are cool and wet
- Newark Airport is a major hub for the New York area
- Amtrak
- both a large city in its own right and a commuter community to NYC
- proximity to NYC, lower rents compared to NYC, and the many available transportation options to NYC make it attractive for many
- has a past as a less attractive heavy industrial center with more recent urban decay, but revitalization is underway
- home to Bloomfield College, Caldwell College, Centenary College, College of Saint Elizabeth, College of New Jersey, Montclair State College, Drew University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry

Norfolk

(find a roommate in Norfolk)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $600

- largest metro area in the state by population
- almost entirely surrounded by water, between the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the waterway known as Hampton Roads
- numerous rivers
- mild winter, long humid warm summers, few severe storms due to surrounding waterways
- small local airport
- 2 ferries
- Amtrak
- Virginia Beach is popular
- one of the best natural ports on the East Coast
- performing arts community active, especially for an area this size
- cost of living is moderate, and less than most East Coast areas this size
- shipbuilding, fishing, and other seaport-related businesses are dominant
- several large naval bases in the area
- home to Virginia Wesleyan College, Christopher Newport University, College of William and Mary, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, and Regent University

NYC - Brooklyn

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average roommate rent is $1400

- most populous of the five boroughs of New York City
- high temperatures in summer with frequent freezes in winter
- historic home of many immigrant communities
- except for parks, totally urban
- one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the country
- one of the most complex places to live in the U.S., presenting both unique challenges and opportunities
- city is very crowded, cost of living is very high, these factors are stressful for many
- extensive public transit system. including subways, buses, a ferry network, and a suburban rail system
- most residents do not own cars, most that do don't drive them daily
- commuter rail hub
- world-class dining, shopping, theater, symphony, opera, live music
- museums and architectural attractions draw global audiences
- hosts the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Brooklyn Philharmonic
- many parks, including the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park, Coney Island, and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
- many colleges and universities, including Brooklyn Law School, Pratt Institute, New York Polytechnic School of Engineering, Brooklyn College, Medgar Evers College, New York City College of Technology, and the SUNY Downstate Medical Center

NYC - The Bronx

(find a roommate in The Bronx)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $900

- northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City
- only borough located on the mainland
- high temperatures in summer with frequent freezes in winter
- economically diverse
- one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the country
- one of the most complex places to live in the U.S., presenting both unique challenges and opportunities
- extensive public transit system. including subways, buses, a ferry network, and a suburban rail system
- most residents do not own cars, most that do don't drive them daily
- many celebrated professional sports teams
- home to Concourse Village and the new Yankee Stadium
- many parks and gardens, including Van Cortlandt Park, Pelham Bay Park, the New York Botanical Garden and the The Bronx Zoo
- Edgar Allan Poe spent the last years of his life in the The Bronx, at Poe Cottage
- considered one of the birthplaces of modern hip hop
- home to the Bronx Museum of the Arts and several off broadway theaters
 -home to several colleges and universities, including Fordham University, Manhattan College, three campuses of the City University of New York, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy

NYC - Manhattan

(find a roommate in Manhattan)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $1500

- most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City, but the smallest in land area
- at the mouth of the Hudson River, the southernmost tip of New York state
- high temperatures in summer with frequent freezes in winter
- several major bridges connect the boroughs, boroughs have unique characteristics and are considered part of the whole
- national center, both economically and culturally
- except for parks, totally urban
- one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the country
- one of the most complex places to live in the U.S., presenting both unique challenges and opportunities
- city is very crowded, cost of living is very high, these factors are stressful for many
- extensive public transit system. including subways, buses, a ferry network, and a suburban rail system
- most residents do not own cars, most that do don't drive them daily
- commuter rail hub
- Amtrak hub
- large airline hub with 3 major airports
- many ferries
- world-class dining, shopping, theater, symphony, opera, live music
- museums and architectural attractions draw global audiences
- many celebrated professional sports teams
- the New York Public Library has the largest collection of any public library system in the country
- Wall Street in lower Manhattan hosts both the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ
- home to the United Nations Headquarters
- home to many colleges and universities, including Columbia University, Barnard College, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, Cooper Union, Marymount Manhattan College, New York Institute of Technology, New York University, The Juilliard School, Pace University, Berkeley College, The New School, Bank Street College of Education, Boricua College, Manhattan School of Music, and the Metropolitan College of New York, School of Visual Arts

NYC - Queens

(find a roommate in Queens)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $1150

- easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City, second most populous, includes a few small islands
- high temperatures in summer with frequent freezes in winter
- one of the most complex places to live in the U.S., presenting both unique challenges and opportunities
- city is very crowded, cost of living is very high, these factors are stressful for many
- two of New York metro's airports are located here, LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport
- the Long Island Rail Road operates 22 stations here with service to other boroughs and Long Island
- possibly the most ethnically diverse urban area in the country, over 120 languages spoken
- neighborhoods differ greatly, especially with regard to housing options
- home to Flushing Meadows Park (New York Mets and the US Open), Silvercup Studios, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Kaufman Astoria Studios
- Queens Borough Public Library is one of the larges public library systems in the US
- home to a number of museums and cultural institutions, including New York Hall of Science, Queens Museum of Art, Bowne House, 5 Pointz, Noguchi Museum, Queens Botanical Garden, and Kupferberg Center for the Arts
- home to a number of colleges including LaGuardia Community College, Queens College, Queensborough Community College, York College, and the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

NYC - Staten Island

(find a roommate in Staten Island)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $850

- least populated of the five boroughs of New York City
- used to claim the largest landfill in the world, now being made into a public park
- only borough that is not connected to the New York City subway system
- high temperatures in summer with frequent freezes in winter
- home to a diverse population of wildlife
- hundreds of acres of wooded areas
- free Staten Island ferry is a popular tourist attraction, providing views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
- home to the Staten Island Zoo
- home to many artists and musicians who wanted proximity to Manhattan but with larger, cheaper residential space
- home to several museums and cultural centers, including the Staten Island Museum, the Staten Island Botanical Garden, and the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden
- home to a few colleges and universities, including The College of Staten Island and Wagner College

Oklahoma City

(find a roommate in Oklahoma City)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $460

- capital city located near the center of Oklahoma
- mostly flat
- summers are long and hot, winters are short and mild, extreme cold very infrequent
- spring and summer storms can be severe, spawning tornadoes and large hail
- Amtrak
- medium-sized local airport
- major center for the oil industry and related manufacturing
- cost of living is low, especially for a capital city
- friendly, small-town atmosphere
- fewer cultural amenities and lesser interest in the arts than might be expected for a city this size
- home to Langston University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City University, Southern Nazarene University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Omaha

(find a roommate in Omaha)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $350

- in eastern Nebraska along the Missouri River near the Iowa border
- largest city in Nebraska
- warm summers and cold, harsh, dry winters
- diverse economy
- well kept and clean
- where the TV dinner was invented
- historically important jazz scene in North Omaha
- sizable military presence including the Offut Air Force Base
- many sports teams
- home of several colleges and universities, including the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, and Creighton University

Orange County

(find a roommate in Orange County)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $860

- along the southern California coast, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles
- more of a sprawling network of very tiny cities and bedroom communities than a typically-structured city
- very mild climate, some smog
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- commuting to Los Angeles to work is common
- several professional sports teams
- home to Disneyland
- home to California State University, Chapman University, Christ College Irvine, Pacific Christian College, Southern California College, and the University of California

Orlando

(find a roommate in Orlando)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $650

- east central Florida, about 25 miles from the Atlantic Coast
- surrounded by many lakes
- high year-round humidity, summers are extremely warm, winters are mild with light rainfall
- large airline hub
- Amtrak
- traffic can be very bad around tourist destinations
- much of the nation's citrus fruit is grown here
- diverse resort city, major tourist destination, which all started with Disneyworld
- newer major tourist destinations include Universal Studios Florida and Sea World
- several professional sports teams
- top-rated golf courses
- cost of living is reasonable for a city with so many entertainment options
- home to Rollins College and the University of Central Florida

Ottawa

(find a roommate in Ottawa)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $500

- capital of Canada
- along the Ottawa River at the Ontario-Quebec border
- cold and snowy in winter, warm in summer
- winter climate is more severe than most of eastern Canada due to the distance from water
- very clean city, with many parks surrounding it
- medium airline hub
- city has avoided skyscrapers in favor of a more stately, historic appearance including Gothic architecture
- home to Carleton University, College Dominicain de Philosophie, Saint Paul University, Universite du Quebec, and the University of Ottawa

Pensacola

(find a roommate in Pensacola)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $450

- western tip of the Florida Panhandle on Pensacola Bay, along the Gulf Coast
- Gulf of Mexico moderates the climate year-round
- white sand beaches are popular
- cost of living among the lowest in Florida
- considered both a beach city and a military town
- strong military presence with the Pensacola Naval Air Station, home of the Blue Angels
- home of the main campus of the University of West Florida

Philadelphia

(find a roommate in Philadelphia)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $700

- 5th largest metro area in the United States
- located in southeastern Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River, near the New Jersey border
- Appalachian Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east moderate extreme temperatures
- Schyukill River runs through the city
- some high humidity in summer, heavy snowfall every few years
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- trolley system
- multiple commuter rail hubs
- historically a very important port and manufacturing center
- more modern downtown is adjacent to a large historic district, including Independence Hall and the waterfront
- world-famous Philly cheesesteak sandwich originated here
- many major-league sports teams
- home to Delaware Valley College, Haverford College, Moore College of Art and Design, Penn State University Delaware, Penn State University Ogontz, Ursinus University, Valley Forge Christian College, American College, Beaver College, Cabrini College, Chestnut Hill College, Cheyney University, Eastern College, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Holy Family College, La Salle University, Lincoln University, Neumann College, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia College of Textiles, Rosemont College, Rutgers University, St. Joseph's University, Swarthmore College, The University of the ARts, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College, Drexel University, Hahnemann University, Pennsylvania State University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Rowan College of New Jersey, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Widener University

Phoenix or Tempe

(find a roommate in Phoenix or Tempe)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $600

- capital city, located in Arizona's Salt River Valley
- natural vegetation is sparse, as the terrain is mostly desert, but some tree and citrus growth
- typical desert climate, including low annual rainfall, low humidity, very long intensely hot summers, and mild winters
- highest average July temperature of any U.S. metro area, around 107 degrees, temps exceeding 120 degrees not uncommon
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- wealthy 'snowbirds' from colder parts of the country often spend winters in Phoenix, attracted to the mild winters and low - cost of living
- not as many arts and other cultural amenities as one might expect in a city this size
- many major-league sports teams
- home to American School of International Management, Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Ottawa University, and Western International University

Pittsburgh

(find a roommate in Pittsburgh)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $550

- large city in west central Pennsylvania
- in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains
 -summers are warm and humid, winters are cool and variable, with intermittent freezing and thawing
 -50% chance of precipitation any given day, many days cloudy
- good public transportation, including a newer light-rail system

- tram from the central city
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- lower cost of living than one would expect given the excellent educational and entertainment possibilities
-  once a center for steel and coal, now more economically diversified
- historic and revitalized neighborhoods
- number of neighborhoods with unique personalities
- population is ethnically diverse
- a number of professional sports teams with legendary fan support and attractive, accessible venues
- numerous cultural assets, including world-class museums, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the large zoo
home to Penn State University Beaver, Penn State University Fayette, Penn State University McKeesport, Penn State University Kensington, Saint Vincent College, University of Pittsburgh Greensburg, California University, Carlow College, Chatham College, Geneva College, La Roche College, Point Park College, Robert Morris College, Seton Hill College, Washington and Jefferson College, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Slippery Rock University, and the University of Pittsburgh

Portland, Maine

(find a roommate in Portland ME)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $550

- small coastal city in southern Maine, on the Atlantic Coast at Casco Bay
- rugged coastline
- summers are pleasant, winters are severe with heavy snowfall
- ferries
- Amtrak
- small local airport
- Maine's largest city and cultural center
- shipping and commercial fishing dominate
- slow paced, small-town atmosphere
- home to Maine College of Art, Saint Joseph's College, and the University of Southern Maine

Portland, Oregon

(find a roommate in Portland OR)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $750

- large city in northwest Oregon, along the Columbia River and near the Washington border
- summers are mild and pleasant, winters are cloudy and rainy, sometimes sleeting
- good public transit with one of the nation's best light-rail systems and intercity rail service
- Amtrak
- medium-sized local airport
- skiing available nearby in the Oregon Cascades and Mount Hood
- mountain ranges visible from the city
- watersports popular on the Columbia River
- once linked primarily with wood products, now features a number of high-tech industries
- cost of living is moderate for a West Coast city
- no sales tax
- home to Western States Chiropractic College, Concordia College, Lewis and Clark College, Linfield College, Reed College, University of Portland, Warner Pacific College, George Fox College, Oregon Institute of Science & Technology, Oregon Health Science University, Pacific University, and Portland State University

Providence

(find a roommate in Providence)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $600

- capital city, on the eastern edge of Rhode Island, at the head of Narragansett Bay
- large seaport, Providence river flows through the city
- summers are warm and foggy, winter storms are moderated by proximity to water, thunderstorms are common
- Amtrak
- small local airport
- atmosphere is generally easygoing, despite being the capital
- primary commercial, industrial, and residential area for the state
- considered a center of intellectualism and liberal thought
- more theater, classical music, and museums than most cities its size
- many cultural amenities, including proximity to Boston
- home to New England Institute of Technology, Roger Williams University, Bryant College, Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, Johnson & Wales University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island

Raleigh or Durham or Chapel Hill

(find a roommate in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $650

- located in northeast North Carolina, 40 miles south of Virginia
- mild climate, very humid in summer, rainfall through most of the year
- medium-sized triad city complex, sometimes referred to as the Research Triangle
- Amtrak
- medium-sized local airport
- has historic roots in tobacco farming
- now an educational, intellectual, and high-tech center for the state
- significant cultural amenities, mostly related to nearby schools
- home to Peace College, Saint Augustine's College, Shaw University, Meredith College, North Carolina Central University, Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina

Reno

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average roommate rent is $550

- small city in western Nevada, 15 miles east of the California border
- near the northern shore of Lake Tahoe
- climate is hot, low humidity, lots of sunshine, winters are mild
- formerly known mostly for mining and gambling, has now expanded economically
- Amtrak
- medium-sized local airport
- national forest and world-class ski areas nearby
- lively downtown with casinos, but gambling not as dominant as in nearby Las Vegas
- home to Sierra Nevada College, and the University of Nevada

Richmond

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average roommate rent is $625

- capital city in east-central Virginia, along the James River and near the Blue Ridge Mountains
- very warm, humid summers, mild winters
- Amtrak
- small airline hub
- some residents commute to D.C. for work
- historic interest as the former capital of the Confederacy, museums and historic sites abound
- home to Randolph-Macon College, University of Richmond, Virginia State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Union University

Sacramento

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average roommate rent is $760

- capital city, in Northern California at the base of the Sierra Nevada
- summers are very hot, winters are mild but foggy
- very flat
- Amtrak
- medium-sized local airport
- appealing to many for its lower cost of living relative to other cities in California
- professional sports teams are popular
- home to California State University

Salem or Eugene

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average roommate rent is $450

- Salem is the state capital, both areas have a college town atmosphere
- westernmost metro area in the coterminous U.S. (not counting Alaska)
- 50 miles south of Portland
- extremely mild climate due to the Cascade Mountains in the east, the coastal ranges to the west, and the proximity of the Pacific Ocean
- Amtrak
- small airline hub
- historically an important lumber area
- low cost of living compared to rest of Oregon
- home to Western Baptist College, Western Oregon State College, Williamette University, and the University of Oregon

Salt Lake City

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average roommate rent is $475

- capital city in north-central Utah
- in the desert, surrounded by mountains
- features both long winters and very hot summers
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- skiing, rafting, and hiking are available in the nearby Wasatch Mountains
- Great Salt Lake is nearby
- Mormon culture is dominant, this is their headquarters
- conservative local policies on alcohol have inhibited nightlife
- home to Weber State University, Westminster College, and the University of Utah

San Antonio

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average roommate rent is $600

- located in south-central Texas
- summer heat is intense, but the winters are very pleasant
- thunderstorms common year round
- medium-sized local airport
- Amtrak
- 3rd largest city in Texas, decided Mexican influence
- home of the Alamo
- Paseo del Rio (River Walk) is popular for dancing, live music, and dining
- city has a laid-back character
- 4 Air Force facilities are nearby
- home to Texas Lutheran College, Incarnate Word College, Trinity University, Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary's University, and the University of Texas Health Sciences

San Diego

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average roommate rent is $1100

- large city located along the southern Californian coast, about 20 miles north of Mexico
- climate is warm but generally pleasant year-round, with low humidity, some fog
- large local airport
- Amtrak
- economically diverse, with very expensive and inexpensive areas to live
- downtown features a waterfront area
- excellent boating and water recreation
- Sea World and the San Diego Zoo are famous worldwide
- home to California State University, Coleman University, National University, Point Loma Nazarene College, California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego State University, U.S. International University, University of California, and the University of San Diego

San Francisco

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average roommate rent is $1500

- along a narrow peninsula of 43 hills
- extreme hilliness featuring elevations of nearly 1000 feet cause much local variability in fog, sunshine, and temperature
- can be extremely foggy
- really only 2 seasons, spring and fall - summers and winters are practically nonexistent
- very densely populated, producing a high cost of living, the highest in California
- excellent public transit system, including BART
- Amtrak
- trolley system
- commuter rail hub
- large airline hub
- features the continent's only cable car system
- arts and culture community here is large and exceptional
- one of the most ethnically diverse metros in the country
- many tourist attractions, including Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and the wine country in the north
- popular professional sports teams
- many botanical gardens and arboretums
- home to Menlo College, California College of Podiatric Medicine, College of Notre Dame, Dominican College of San Rafael, Lincoln University, New College of California, San Francisco Art Institute, California Institute of Integral Studies, Golden Gate University, San Francisco State University, Savbrook Institute, University of California, and the University of San Francisco

San Jose

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average roommate rent is $1300

- large city on the south end of San Francisco Bay
- summers are clear, dry, and sunny, with some smog - winters are typically mild if rainy
- has been referred to as 'Silicon Valley' due to large amount of local high-tech manufacturing
- influx of educated workers from around the world, particularly Asia, have created a diverse culture
- multiple commuter rails, some commute to San Francisco
- home to Cogswell College, National Hispanic University, San Jose State University, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Santa Clara University, and Stanford University

Santa Fe

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average roommate rent is $500

- capital city, in north-central New Mexico
- at approximately 7360 feet, the highest metro area in the US
- cool, dry, pleasant summers and crisp, clear, sunny winters
- medium-sized local airport
- near ski slopes
- crossroads of American Indian, Spanish, and European cultures
- major tourist destination
- architecture, lifestyle, and food are unique among American cities
- historic central city area, quite crowded in summer
- over 250 art galleries and museums
- many performing and visual artists move here
- many affluent retirees move here
- not a lot of industrial or commercial employment, many residents obtained money elsewhere, then moved to Santa Fe
home to College of Santa Fe and St. John's College

Seattle

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average roommate rent is $1200

- regional center, cosmopolitan city
- dramatic geographical setting, surrounded by mountain ranges and water
- on the east coast of Puget Sound, in west-central Washington
- climate is mild but cloudy most of the year, severe weather is rare
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- ferries
- contrary to public perception, Seattle features less precipitation than most cities in the East and Midwest
- bustling seaport, gateway to Alaska and the Yukon
- significant cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities
- has been named the most literate city in the country
- outstanding public library system
 -many more zoos/aquariums, botanical gardens/arboretums, classical music, professional theaters, and museums than the - national average
 -has an almost absurd number of coffeehouses
- skiing and snowboarding are popular in nearby mountains
 -multiple popular professional sports teams
 -no state income tax
- home to Cornish College of the Arts, Antioch University, Bastyr College, Seattle City University, University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University, and Seattle University

Sioux Falls

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average roommate rent is $360

- in eastern South Dakota near the Iowa-Minnesota border
- state's largest city
- frequent weather changes, warm but not hot summers, winters often bring heavy snowfall
- center for banking and credit card industries, in part due to a lack of a state corporate income tax
- very clean city
- low crime rate
- ethnic diversity is low
- hosts the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival
- many large sporting events
- home of the University of Sioux Falls, University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine, Stewart School, South Dakota Public Universities and Research Center, and the South Dakota School for the Deaf

Spokane

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average roommate rent is $400

- in far eastern Washington, near the Idaho border, on the Spokane River
- summers are mild, winters are harsh
- close to many rivers and lakes for water recreation
- ethnic diversity is low
- lots of outdoor and mountain recreation
- 100-acre Riverfront Park
- home to Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Washington State University Spokane
- thriving arts scene featuring many art walks
- hub of health care facilities in the Inland Northwest, including several public hospitals and the Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center

St. Louis

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average roommate rent is $550

- large city, along the Missouri-Illinois border and the Mississippi River
- summers are very hot and humid, extreme temperatures in winter are rare
- large airline hub
- Amtrak
- cost of living is low for a large city
- many popular professional sports teams
- home to Deaconess College of Nursing, Harris-Stowe State University, McKendree College, Missouri Baptist College, Principia College, Fortbonne College, Lindenwood College, Maryville University, Parks College - Saint Louis University, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Saint Louis University, Southern Illinois University, University of Missouri, Washington University, and Webster University

Syracuse

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average roommate rent is $500

- located along the Old Erie Canal
- both Oneida Lake and Lake Ontario are nearby
- severe winters, one of the greatest annual snowfalls in the country
- very low cost of living for New York state
- ethnically diverse, home of many immigrant communities
 -hosts several jazz festivals
- home to dozens of museums, including the Everson Museum of Art, featuring one of the the largest pottery collections in the United States
- home to several colleges and universities, including Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical University and Hospital, Empire State College, and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Tacoma

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average roommate rent is $650

- medium-sized port city
- in west-central Washington at the south end of Puget Sound and the Seattle area
- climate is mild but cloudy most of the year, severe weather is rare
- many residents enjoy the proximity to Seattle, some commute there for work
- large airline hub (shared with Seattle)
- Amtrak
- home of shipping, paper, and lumber mill industries
- previously mostly industrial setting, now the site of recent downtown renewal
- no state income tax
- home to Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, and the University of Washington (Tacoma branch)

Tallahassee

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average roommate rent is $400

- capital city
- located in the middle of the Florida Panhandle, about 30 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico and 20 miles from the Georgia border
- coldest place in Florida (but not cold by national standards)
- climate is very moist, summer is very hot and humid and frequently stormy, winter is very cloudy and rainy
- numerous lakes surround the area
- Amtrak
- home to Florida A&M University, and Florida State University

Tampa or Saint Petersburg

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average roommate rent is $400

- large city on the central Florida Gulf Coast at Tampa Bay
- summers are long, warm, and very humid with frequent thunderstorms - winters are mild
- Amtrak
- large airline hub
- economy features less emphasis on tourism than other coastal Florida cities
- amusement parks
- major-league professional sports are popular
- home to Eckerd College, Florida College, Saint Leo College, University of Tampa, and the University of South Florida

Toronto

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average roommate rent is $875

- world-class city and cosmopolitan center, capital of the province of Ontario
- on the northwest short of Lake Ontario
- largest city in Canada, with approximately 15% of the entire country's citizens
- summers are warm and humid, winters are cold, but extreme storms are rare, very little snow most winters
- commuter rail hub
- large airline hub
- Canada's industrial hub
- strong, diverse economy
- cost of living is the highest in the country
- modern, attractive, clean downtown with a unique waterfront
- many distinct neighborhoods with different histories and characters
- very low crime rate, especially for a city this large
- consistently rated an extremely livable city
- home to many public hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital, North York General Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, The Scarborough Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine
- home of the Toronto Stock Exchange
- home to Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Ontario Institute, University of Toronto, and York University

Tucson

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average roommate rent is $450

- medium-sized city and college town
- located in south-central Arizona, on the Santa Cruz river, about 60 miles north of Mexico
- hot summers and mild winters typical of the desert, but with the high elevation moderating the desert heat in most of Arizona
- due to the desert climate and high elevation, the danger of sunburn here is greater than almost anywhere else in the country
- Amtrak
- medium-sized local airport
- attracts many retirees
- arts and culture community large for a city this size
- home to the University of Arizona

Tulsa

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average roommate rent is $400

- located in northeastern Oklahoma along the Arkansas River, at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains
- summers are hot, but humidity is low, winters are mild
- historical Native American presence
- second largest city in Oklahoma
- large oil industry presence
- modern downtown area with many parks and gardens and the 'Art Deco District'
- several dance, theater, and concert groups, including the Tulsa Opera, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Light Opera Oklahoma, the Tulsa Ballet, the Heller Theatre, and Theatre Tulsa
- home of the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum
- hosts the Tulsa State Fair
- home of over 100 parks
- home of the University of Tulsa, Rogers State University, Tulsa Community College, and a few campuses of Oklahoma State University

Vancouver

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average roommate rent is $800

- commercial, financial, industrial and shipping center for western Canada
- on a narrow peninsula between the Fraser River, the Straight of Georgia, and Burrard Inlet
- downtown is set on a pretty natural harbor, with forest and mountains to the north
- some seasonal variation, but typically neither summers or winters are severe
- weather is generally regarded as the most pleasant in Canada
- trolleys
- commuter rail hub
- large airline hub
- number of historic districts, waterfront areas, and beaches
- considered one of the world's most attractive cities
- arts and entertainment options are many and varied
- cost of living is high
- home to Regent College, Trinity Western University, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia

Washington D.C. and surrounding beltway towns

(find a roommate in D.C.)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $900

- nation's capital and political center
- along the Potomac River, inland from Chesapeake Bay, between southern Maryland and northern Virginia
- summers warm, humid and stormy, winters are relatively cold but not severe
- good public transport, commuter rail hub
- Amtrak
- socioeconomically quite mixed, with extremely expensive and lower-income neighborhoods not too far from one another
- severely large number of sites of historical interest
- home to Columbia Union College, Corcoran School of Art, Shepherd College, Bowie State University, Capitol College, Defense Intelligence College, Hood College, Mary Washington College, Marymount University, Mount Saint Mary's College, Mount Vernon College, Southeastern University, Trinity College, University of Maryland, University of the District of Columbia, American University, Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, and the University of Maryland - College Park

Wichita

(find a roommate in Wichita)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $360

- in south central Kansas along the Arkansas River
- largest city in Kansas
- wide range of weather year round
- diverse agricultural and industrial economy
- hosts the Wichita River Festival and the Tallgrass Film Festival
- cultural center for Kansas, featuring the Music Theatre of Wichita, the Wichita Grand Opera, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, and the Wichita Art Museum
- home of several sports teams
- home of Wichita State University, Newman University, and Wichita Area Technical College

Winnipeg

(find a roommate in Winnipeg)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $410

- medium-sized capital city
- in southeastern Manitoba at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers
- summers are pleasant, warm, and mostly dry
- winters are very severe - safety precautions must be taken - snow is possible every month except July
- serves as a transportation gateway and commercial center for a vast agricultural region
- medium airline hub
- clean city with modern parks, laid out to avoid urban congestion
- arts and cultural amenities among the best in Canada, including many museums and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
home to University of Winnipeg, and the University of Manitoba

Worcester

(find a roommate in Worcester)   (roommate matching metro list)

average roommate rent is $650

- small city, located near the center of Massachusetts, near the Rhode Island border
- rapid weather changes occur
- summers are fairly moderate, winters are moderate but with frequent cold snaps
- commuter rail to Boston
 -Amtrak
- recently revitalized downtown area
- many that need to live near Boston consider Worcester a lower-cost living solution
- home to Becker College, College of the Holy Cross, Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Nichols College, Worcester State College, Clark University, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute

References

(* From smartasset.com, ranks cities according to where roommates will save you the most money, based on the average cost of a 1BR as opposed to splitting a 2BR. Unsurprisingly, the more expensive the city, the more you can save, but the savings are significant in all larger metros. This is really the MINIMUM you could save, as you could live with more than one roommate, split utilities, share food or other supplies, etc. More sharing tends to lead to more savings too, as per our roommate roadmap.)

(** From livingcost.org, 13 indicators of urban quality versus cost of living leads to a ranking of Best Cities in the United States out of 2202 cities ranked. Cost of living is based on prices for rent, food, transport and other living expenses, assuming average consumption, where quality includes 13 additional factors. Quality versus cost of living is more or less how much urban awesomeness you get for about how much money. Even if you're on a tight budget and even if you eat where you work and ride a bike everywhere, etc., your unavoidable expenses will still reproduce the same relative differences. This index is most meaningful when considering two or more cities; if you're locked into your metro it's more like an FYI.)

(*** From U.S. News & World Report, Best Places to Live rankings evaluate data from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, and the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. News' own internal resources. The data is then categorized into five indexes: Job Market, Housing Affordability, Quality of Life, Desirability, and Net Migration. They analyzed 150 metro areas in the US to find the best places to live.)

(**** From niche.com, for the city's overall rankings: their own ratings based on federal and local databases along with community reviews.)

(***** From niche.com, for the city's urban neighborhoods ranked by their lowest cost of living methodology: not just rent, but median rent is included. It's a ranking of affordability also incorporating a neighborhood's property values and rent to income ratios along with food, fuel, and local tax rates.

So "affordable" has a relative meaning here. Roommate rents can be > in neighborhoods with > median home prices, though not as much as many initially imagine, and sometimes not at all. Roommate rents tend to democratize neighborhoods, as the most expensive tend to rent single rooms more than whole units.

For example:

• If you split a 2-bedroom rental in the trendiest central neighborhood, you pay > per square foot, but you and your roommates are mostly in charge. You also need < time + $ for transportation.
• If you split 2 => bedroom rental in a less trendy less central neighborhood, you pay < per square foot and get some extras for = $. You're still mostly in charge, but central anything requires > time + $ for transportation.
• If you rent a room in an owner-occupied house in an expensive neighborhood, it's a nicer building with even better extras. Your room + a couple communal rooms are nicer too. But you're not in charge. You're following someone else's rules to help them pay down their mortgage.

Meanwhile, since roommate rents tend to democratize neighborhoods, all 3 scenarios above could go for = $, while returning different benefits. (And then extrapolate for scenarios that are similar but not exactly above.)

But for imagining hypothetical scenarios where all things are = (though in reality they usually aren't), these are the neighborhoods offering roommates > for = $.)

(****** From Numbeo's Cost of Living Index by City 2023: Their indices are relative to New York City, the most expensive metro area we serve. Their Cost of Living Plus Rent Index is an estimation of consumer goods prices (including groceries, restaurants, transportation and utilities) plus rent relative to NYC.)

(******* From hoodmaps.com: a collaborative map where residents use tags describing social situations you're likely to find. Other users can thumb up or down, so the largest tags have been thumbed up the most.)

(******** From DATA USA: visualization engine of public US Government data with a special focus on geographic opportunity for relocating recent college graduates)

(********* From Canadian Rental Housing Index: Their Community Profile Snapshots provide information about rental housing pertaining to households and affordability relative to crowding in that municipality.)