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Finding housemates in a new area

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hi guys! :)

So I've moved to a new area, and looking around, I could afford a one-bed flat in one of these swanky three storey new-builds that have popped up seemingly aimed precisely at young professionals... but I was thinking that I might get lonely.

But at the same time, I don't want to live with students who have no idea how to tidy up after themselves. So here's my predicament.

Does anyone have any good suggestions, or have experience from their own househunting they care to share, that might give me an insight into how to finding a house with some nice people?

So just to be clear; tldr - any awesome tips on finding houseshares or a group of people to move into a house together.

Cheers
SB

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It's a while back so can't remember exactly where I found my room but it was either this website or possibly this one (I only used the two). I was in the same boat as you, as in I thought of living alone (no idea if the money would have stretched that far though!) but decided moving to a new town meant house mates were needed for company and general info! Plenty of rooms on there say "no students" and I know of a lot of "professionals" who house share, don't worry
    Before I moved in, I met a few of my housemates and they seemed/sounded alright! I took the chance of moving in, figuring if they really were pains in the ass I could move out if necessary. Thankfully not needed and I am still here over a year later :) I definitely think it is a good idea, especially if the area you have moved to is short on social things to do outside work where you can meet people. You can then move in alone once you know people if you need your space :)

    edit: just re-looked at the websites I gave you, pretty sure it was "spareroom" I used mostly. Layout looks most familiar.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yep i agree, alot of young professionals will want to houseshare so its not all messy students. For instance, when i get a stable job ill be looking for housemates my age to share with so im not lonesome.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I also used SpareRoom, depends where you've moved to but there should be quite a few young professionals advertising on there. Rightmove also sometimes has houseshares as does Gumtree.

    Was a bit different for me in that loads of people were all after the rooms I was so basically came down to who the housemates liked! Which I guess is understandable and was good for me in the end as I met them three times before I moved in so had a fairly good idea of what they were like.

    I'd say try and meet them a couple of times, or at least have a good chat with them. Find out what their jobs are, if they do shift work, how much they socialise as a house (you'll find some socialise lots and some not at all, just get in and go to their rooms so really is best to ask as it could be just as lonely as living on your own), what their interests are outside work, how often they go out, what they do at weekends (housemates in one place basically said they had lots of parties at weekends), what they do about cleaning (might sound silly but i think it's important, i just say it very casually and almost every place has had some kind of rota) and er... the usual stuff about rent and bills!

    I think you'll find it pretty easy to tell where'd be a good place to live and where wouldn't. Just ask as many questions as you want, you've got to live there after all!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If I were to advertise/reply to an advertisement for housemates I'd stipulate/profess the following:

    Can pay rent each and every month, no questions.
    Can pay bills each and every month, no questions.
    Don't give a shit about buying more than my fair share of toilet roll, washing powder or any other inconsequential shit.
    Will/need to be as clean as current occupants.
    Am not/won't be a moany cunt about heating bills, internet etc.

    I reckon if you fulfil that criteria you'll get along with anyone.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Been looking at spareroom, looks great, hopefully I hear something back. I saw something about a guardianship of a property, but sounds like a headache :p.

    I think I mostly meet your criteria CptCoatHanger, although I can be mopey about being taken advantage of :p (not to do with toilet roll / washing powder and so on, but chores and that).

    Hopefully will find some nice people though who all pitch in!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I used spareroom, gumtree, easy room mate etc.

    If you look through those there are usually loads of shared young professional type households.

    From my experience, the good rooms often go pretty quickly. In the end I got my flat through contacts at work, someone was moving out and was looking for someone to take on their room. You need to be careful about sharing with students (even if you find post grad/mature ones etc) because generally students don't pay council tax, whereas you do, so you'll end up with a much higher council tax bill than if you lived somewhere where it was evenly shared.

    From my trawling websites, things to look out for: vegetarian/no pork/beef products - generally not an indicator of an easy going housemate. Find out why the last person moved out - moving out of the area, bought their own place, moved in with boyfriend etc is a good sign. Moving down the road is less of a good sign. Find out what their jobs are - and like others have said shift work/not shifts etc. Having someone on shifts isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you probably want to know what you're letting yourself in for. My current flat has 2 out of the 3 proper residents (and the extra one) who work rotation, so weeks away followed by weeks home not working, and on call. It actually works out very well for us, but we also have a good understanding of each others lifestyles. Also ask about their routines. If it's a 3 bed property, with one bathroom, and everyone gets up to go to work at the same time that might make things hassle. If there are two bathrooms and peoples morning routines are staggered then no problems. Obviously there's a compromise in between.

    And lastly, the completely snobby one. Have a look at the cars that are parked on the street. That will give you a surprisingly good indicator of what the area is like.
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