In San Francisco, there are a great deal options when it comes to finding a roommate that it can almost seem overwhelming. With Craigslist roommates, Roomster roommates, and ApartmentList's mobile app, properly named 'Roommates', it's apparent that they all bring their own perspectives on the best way to find a roommate.

We think the we have a much better method for solving your roommate and apartment search troubles, but before we get into the roommate aspect, let's keep in mind why you're searching for a roommate in the first place.

Chances are you've realized that an apartment showing can create a similar turnout as a newly released iPhone. Unfortunately for San Francisco renters, Apple does a much better job at creating supply than the San Francisco Housing Authority.

But what if you could get a little leverage working for you?

Roommate living is the most common/logical solution for fighting the higher than normal cost of living. The problem is that while Craigslist does a wonderful job of regurgitating the massive inventory, the hours it takes to find it will probably drive you insane before you get there. On the other side, if you wanted to get a group together to rent an apartment, it would take hours to contact each roommate, days to find out whether or not they "fit the bill", and weeks to find an available apartment you can both enjoy.

So if you're looking for an apartment and need a roommate, try using RoomMatch to connect with like-minded individuals. Connect to RoomMatch using your Facebook account and start looking for roommates that share mutual friends and common interests. Start your San Francisco apartment search by clicking here:

http://www.roommatch.co/search/San-Francisco

Good luck and happy hunting! Cheers!

  Elliott Counts

Hello World,

Yes, RoomMatch is LIVE! Anyone seeking a roommate will now be able to find roommates and apartments for lease in San Francisco and Austin. Here in the next couple of weeks, we'll be offering listings in New York, as well. 

Let us know what you think! We'd love to hear your feedback.

http://www.roommatch.co

If you're moving to San Francisco and still not quite sure of what to expect, this blog post is for you. 

Say goodbye to your car.

Parking nightmare. Parking on average will take you an extra 15-20 minutes to find, so you'll need to give yourself that much of a head start. 

Gas prices. Gas is fairly expensive, a little over $4/gallon, which you'll go through quickly due to all the stop and go traffic you'll experience while you're in the city.

Parking violations. When you finally do find parking, make sure you set an alarm on your phone for when your time is almost up. They're incredibly systematic and methodical when it comes to making sure you get the ticket you 'so rightfully deserve.'

Parking fines. The most common fine you'll receive is going to be in the range of $62 - $72 per violation. Make sure you read the signs for "Street Cleaning" time frames. They usually start at midnight, or 2am. It's very easy to rack up a huge bill just on parking. 

Save. Save. Save.

The city is pretty good about keeping everyday goods and services at a reasonable price, but the biggest challenge you'll face is the rent. Unlike most cities in the country, even finding a shared living situation will come with a hefty deposit. Many listings you'll see that are under $1,000/month will still come with a $1500 deposit.  Craigslist is still the #1 used reference for anything housing related (unfortunately), so if you have friends in the city, ask them if they know anyone who needs a roommate. A referral is always your best bet.

Don't bring your entire closet.

Unless you're moving here from somewhere with a similar closet, it's pointless to bring all your clothes with you. The city stays between 52 and 85 (max!) degrees throughout the year. You might be moving to California, but this ain't LA. You won't need it. The goal when starting out on a limited budget is to stay as mobile as possible. You'll need to make sure you can fit the essentials into 3-4 bags. 3 would be best. 

Here's a quick list of what we think is essential:

Fleece jacket (North Face or Patagonia). Don't go cheap on this. You could face a trip from South Beach (avg. upper 70's) to Cole Valley (very windy and 10-15 deg. cooler)

Portable battery charger. You're going to be out and about a lot of the time so it's best to be prepared. I've found a great product with amazing specs that can hold a helluva charge for those desperate situations. (The Anker Astro3 has proven itself to be a lifesaver).

Stylish, yet comfortable shoes. A pair of Chuck Taylor's will do you just fine, and at around $50, you can't go wrong. Just make sure you get a pair with some sort of ankle support. You'll be doing plenty of walking.

Transporter app. This app will be your best friend for getting around the city. There are other options (like "Routesy"), but Transporter takes the cake for accuracy. Just download it. Don't question it.

so we want to start reposting apartments that we find on Craigslist. We'll be launching soon, but we figured, "hey, let's do some of the looking first. so here it is... 

$1100 apartment in Inner Richmond. Perfect for recent San Francisco transplants.

Vacancy for less than $1K per bedroom

$3995 / 3br - 2 Bedroom + Office + Deck Owners Unit (cole valley / ashbury hts)

For such a basic need to be fulfilled, people in San Francisco and New York have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that they find a place to live in a timely fashion. I'm one of them.

RoomMatch.co was founded on the idea that apartment renters should have more options when it comes to finding apartments. You've heard it before, no doubt. However, Craigslist continues to be the preferred solution.

"Wait...really? Craigslist?! There's nothing better? Ughhh...That's pretty s***ty."

"Pretty s**tty is right!"We thought, "Why hasn't anyone been able to provide a solution that works for everyone." Especially when you take into account the importance of finding a suitable (preferably enjoyable) living situation?

But what if you did have the ability to find solid roommates and great apartments at the same time. Let's keep in mind, it's rare for people to want a roommate because they enjoy putting up with personality conflicts, cleanliness issues, and altering their personal lifestyles to accommodate someone else's. Let's face it, having a roommate(s) sucks sometimes. We just want to make sure that renters & "roommatchers" are given a great launchpad for successful living.

This fall, we will be launching in San Francisco and New York City, to provide opportunity to the people that need it most. You moved to one of these cities to make your mark, and we want to make sure that you have the tools you need lay the foundation for success in the city.

The first 400 signups (200 from SF, 200 from NYC) will be able to participate in our private alpha testing, and your voice could influence the very product that influences the lives of others. Here's the link: 

www.roommatch.co

Until we launch, Happy Hunting!!!

Elliott B. Counts

Founder/CEO @ RoomMatch

You can also reach out to us by sending us an email: