Moving off campus?
Exciting.
Living with someone you’ve never shared a home with before?
That can be a little intimidating.
The truth is, most roommate drama starts long before move-in day. Choosing the right person, setting expectations early, and communicating openly can make all the difference.
Whether you’re heading into your sophomore year, starting graduate school, or simply looking to save money, here’s how to find a great roommate near UMass Amherst—and avoid the headaches that come with living with the wrong one.
1. Start Looking Earlier Than You Think
The best roommate situations rarely happen at the last minute.
As students begin making housing plans for the next semester, apartments start filling up and people start pairing off. Starting your search early gives you more options, more time to get to know potential roommates, and a better chance of finding someone who’s actually a good fit.
Trust us…future you will be thankful.
2. Know Where to Look
Not sure where to find a roommate? You’re definitely not alone.
Here are some of the best places to start:
- Join UMass Amherst housing and roommate Facebook groups where students regularly post looking for roommates.
- Ask friends, classmates, coworkers, teammates, or club members if they know anyone searching.
- Reach out to UMass housing resources and student organizations. Many students find roommates through campus connections.
- Contact apartment communities directly. Leasing offices (including ours!) often know which residents are looking for roommates or can point you in the right direction.
- If you’ve already found an apartment you love, ask the leasing office if they have other prospects looking for someone to share with.
You might be surprised how quickly a simple post or phone call can lead to a great match.
3. Don’t Assume Your Best Friend Is the Best Roommate
Living with your best friend sounds like a dream.
Sometimes it is.
Sometimes…you discover they leave dirty dishes in the sink for a week.
Instead of only asking your closest friends, consider classmates, club members, coworkers, or other UMass students who have similar schedules and lifestyles.
The best roommate isn’t always the person you’ve known the longest.
4. Ask the “Awkward” Questions Before You Sign Anything
It might feel a little uncomfortable.
Ask them anyway.
Talk about things like:
- Are you an early bird or a night owl?
- How clean do you like to keep the apartment?
- Do you like having friends over often?
- Will you be bringing a pet?
- Do you smoke or vape?
- How do you feel about sharing groceries?
- What’s your study schedule like?
- How do you prefer to handle conflicts?
A 15-minute conversation now can save months of frustration later.
5. Set Expectations Before Move-In Day
Many roommate disagreements happen because nobody talked about expectations beforehand.
Before you move in together, decide things like:
- How you’ll split chores
- Quiet hours
- Overnight guests
- Shared spaces
- Parking arrangements
- Taking out the trash
- Cleaning schedules
It doesn’t have to be a formal contract, but getting on the same page early makes life much easier.
6. Decide How You’ll Split Expenses
Rent is only part of the equation.
Before move-in day, decide who’s paying for what.
Think about:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Internet
- Household supplies
- Streaming services
- Shared groceries (if you plan on sharing)
Apps like Splitwise or Venmo can make keeping track of shared expenses much easier.
7. Pay Attention to Red Flags
Not everyone is going to be your perfect roommate—and that’s okay.
If someone avoids talking about bills, takes days to respond, constantly changes plans, refuses to communicate, or seems unreliable before you’ve even signed a lease…
That’s probably telling you something.
Trust your instincts.
Finding the right roommate is worth waiting a little longer for.
8. Choose an Apartment That Gives Everyone Space
Even the best roommates need their own space sometimes.
A well-designed apartment can make living together much easier.
Two-bedroom apartments give everyone privacy while keeping costs manageable. Three-bedroom apartments are a great option for larger groups who want to lower their monthly rent while still having their own bedrooms.
Having enough personal space goes a long way toward preventing roommate drama.
Ready to Find the Right Apartment?
Once you’ve found the right roommate, the fun part begins—finding the perfect place to live.
Cliffside Apartments offers spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans that are perfect for roommates. Located just minutes from UMass Amherst in Sunderland, our community gives you the space to spread out while staying close to campus. Plus, you’ll enjoy resident parking, a swimming pool, tennis courts, an off-leash dog park, and convenient access to the PVTA bus line.
If you’re still searching for a roommate, don’t hesitate to reach out to our leasing office. We’re happy to let you know if we have other prospective residents looking for someone to share an apartment with.
Browse our available floor plans or schedule a tour—we’d love to help you find a place that feels like home.
