Money Matters in Seattle

Seattle is home to the famous Space Needle, the original Starbuck's Coffee house, and nine months of rain. But Seattle is also home to high rents. In Seattle, rents for a two-bedroom apartment average at about $1,025 and the median household income is about $45,736.

Live Safely

Los Angeles, California, has its charms, but it also has higher crime rates than many other West Coast cities, and a higher cost of living to boot.

According to the 2000 census in the area, the median income for a household was $36,687 and the per capita income was $20,671. Twenty-two percent of the population, however, were below the poverty line. According to popular roommate finder websites including Realtor.com, roommates.com, and Craigslist.org, rentals range from $750/per person to over $2,500/per person, depending on the location of the apartment or house.

However, in Los Angeles location does matter. While the crime rate has declined over the past decade, Los Angeles is still one of the most dangerous cities.
The COMPSTAT unit of the LAPD reports that Los Angeles hit a record low in 2005, with 43,231 acts of violence, of which 487 were homicides. In contrast, Los Angeles peaked in 1992 with 72,667 recorded crimes, of which 1,096 were homicides; and 245,129 recorded property crimes.

Glitz and Glamour at a Bargain Price

With all the bright lights beaming in Las Vegas, you might expect pricey real estate to accompany the glitz the glamour of the famous Las Vegas strip. However, Las Vegas real estate is significantly cheaper than many of its big-city counterparts. Whether you decide to live alone or seek a roommate, finding Las Vegas roommates is easy with online bulletin boards and community postings around town. Many people flock to Las Vegas for work, so start with your place of employment and post a note on the job board or community bulletin board in your office. You can also post a "roommate wanted" ad in many of the online roommate finder websites.

Snowy California

If you're interviewing potential roommates from other parts of the country, they may have grand expectations about California weather. Often, people envision nothing but blue skies, palm trees, and beaches. But on the contrary; even in California it rains, and in some places it snows.

The Sierra's and Northern California get the most of the state's snow. While the amounts are typically less than one might expect on the East Coast, snowfalls can be significant. Prepare potential roommates for the realities of California weather.

Earthquake Plan

Sitting on one of the major fault lines in the United States, Californians are all too familiar with the effects of an earthquake. Before moving in with a roommate in California, talk about earthquake facts and set a recovery plan in the event there is an earthquake. Here are some basic planning guides to get you going:

- Develop an emergency plan for your home with your roommate. Where will you meet in the event of an earthquake and how will you get in touch with one another?
- Designate an out-of-state contact to call. After an earthquake, long distance lines may be operable earlier than local lines.
- If you're in your home during an earthquake, plan an escape route and an alternate route. Discuss and practice this with your roommate. Keep a flashlight handy and accessible on both routes.
- You can help protect your home before an earthquake. After you and your roommate move in together, secure tall furniture and artwork to the wall and keep heavy items on the bottom of shelves.
- Learn how to use a fire extinguisher and keep one in an easily accessible place in your home.

While no one wants to be caught in the middle of an earthquake, it's better to be prepared than caught off guard. Talk to your roommate about the potential dangers and emergency evacuation plans.

Research the West Coast

From the mountains in Vail to the beaches in San Jose, the West Coast has a lot to offer its residents. But, housing on the West Coast can vary a great deal. If you're planning to move to the West Coast and are interested in finding a roommate, it's best to check online for state and city facts. The fact sites will also provide you with information on individual towns and living expenses. You can also check the Department of Housing and Urban Development's website for detailed information including cost of living, average salary, number of schools, public transportation facts and more for specific towns and cities within a state.
Most online realtor websites will have information on finding roommates in your city/town, and offer options to post or answer roommate ads.

Affordable San Francisco Living

San Francisco is the second most densely populated city in the United States, second only to New York City. With all the people living in the trolley-car clad city, it should be easy to find a roommate to suit your preferences. But the biggest decision San Francisco residents must make is where to live.

Be it a high-rise luxury building in the city or a brown-stone walk up on one of San Francisco's famous hills, know your budget before seeking a roommate. San Francisco is also one of most expensive cities in the United States.

In 2005, the median income for a household in the city was $55,221. According to the latest census report, the per capita income for the city was $34,556 which is ranked as the 19th highest in the country. A quick search through online housing and rental boards show Bay Area apartments ranging in price from $1,000 to over $2,500 per person. Before seeking out your San Francisco roommate, know your budget and how much you can afford to spend. Then, choose location wisely.

A Cornucopia of Potential Roommates

Whether aiming for stardom, or just aiming for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a variety of people tend to flock to Los Angeles for various reasons. If you are looking for Los Angeles roommates, keep in mind the cornucopia of people you will find.
Individuals come from all over the United States, as well as the rest of the world to live in Los Angeles. Take the time to interview potential roommates to be certain that your lifestyles will be compatible.

Students Band Together

San Diego, California, is the seventh largest city in the country. With that fact in mind, San Diego roommates may be the easiest to find. With several major college campuses, the town is full of college students who need places to live. Students can save money by banding together. San Diego hosts a plethora of on- and off-campus housing, and using the buddy system to sift through it all will make your search much easier.

Home to SeaWorld and Shamu, there is an abundance of activities to investigate with a potential roommate.

Word of Mouth

Word of mouth advertising not only works for big businesses, but also for roommates. While online advertising and realtors help with the roommate selection process, simple word of mouth can yield great results. At the office or in the classroom, mention that you're looking for a roommate or an apartment to share. You never know who may know someone.

Glitz and Glamour at a Bargain Price

Roommates.com Tip: Las Vegas is known as a party city, and your Las Vegas roommates may try to live up to the hype. Set some ground rules, like no coming in after midnight on a work night. Or if your the partier, make sure your roommates know not to wait up.