Are there any sites or apps for finding roommates in Calgary?

Finding a roommate in Calgary is an important step for those who want to rent a house at a lower cost, find a company, or simply live comfortably in a big city. Modern technologies greatly simplify this process: there are many specialized websites and mobile applications that help you quickly and safely find roommates or a room to share. In this article, we will take a closer look at the most popular resources for finding roommates in Calgary, their advantages and features, and give you useful tips for a safe and effective search.

1. Kijiji and Craigslist - classifieds classics

Kijiji

Kijiji is one of the largest classifieds platforms in Canada, where you can find offers for renting a house, finding roommates, selling things, etc. On Kijiji, you can find hundreds of listings for rooms, apartments and houses for rent in Calgary.

  • Advantages:**
    • Large selection of offers.
    • Convenient filters by neighborhood, price, type of housing.
    • Possibility of direct contact with owners or roommates.
  • Disadvantages:**
    • You need to be careful because of possible fraud.
    • Sometimes the ads may be outdated.

Craigslist

Craigslist is another popular platform with ads all over the world, including Calgary. Here you can also find offers of shared accommodation.

  • Advantages:** Pros:
    • A large number of ads.
    • Simple interface.
  • Cons:** Lack of moderation.
    • Lack of moderation, which increases the risk of fraud.
    • Less convenient filters than Kijiji.

2. Roomster - a specialized service for finding roommates

Roomster is a platform designed specifically for finding neighbors and roommates. It allows you to create a detailed profile, specify your preferences, lifestyle, budget, and search for people with common interests.

  • Advantages:** Benefits:
    • Ability to filter candidates by many parameters (smoking, pets, work schedule).
    • Intuitive interface.
    • Ability to view reviews and recommendations.
  • Disadvantages.
    • Some features are available only for a paid subscription.
    • It takes time to create a detailed profile.

3. Facebook Marketplace and thematic groups

Facebook is not only a social network, but also a powerful tool for finding housing and roommates. In Calgary, there are many local groups where people post ads for rooms, shared rentals, or are looking for roommates.

Popular groups in Calgary:

  • Calgary Housing.
  • Calgary Room for Rent.
  • YYC Hosts Ukraine (for Ukrainian refugees and newcomers)
  • Calgary Housing for Ukrainians
  • Benefits:** Preferences:
    • Opportunity to chat with the owner or roommates.
    • Ads are often updated daily.
    • Free placement of ads.
  • Disadvantages:**
    • You need to be careful about fraud.
    • Information may be unstructured.

4. RentFaster.ca - a real estate rental platform

RentFaster is a specialized website for finding housing in Canada, including Calgary. Here you can find not only apartments or houses for rent, but also offers for shared living.

  • Benefits:**.
    • Official ads from owners and agencies.
    • Convenient filters by type of housing, neighborhood, price.
    • Ability to view photos and detailed descriptions.
  • Disadvantages:**
    • Fewer offers for finding roommates than on specialized sites.

5. Airbnb - for short-term stays

Airbnb is more focused on short-term rentals, but sometimes you can find rooms or apartments for temporary sharing. This is convenient if you have just arrived in Calgary and are looking for a place to stay for a few weeks or months.

  • Advantages:**.
    • The ability to quickly find furnished housing.
    • Reviews from previous guests.
  • Disadvantages:**
    • Higher cost compared to long-term rentals.
    • Fewer opportunities for long-term accommodation.

6. Apps for homesharing

In addition to websites, there are mobile apps that help you find roommates and share expenses:

  • Splitwise - for sharing utility bills.
  • Roomi** - search for roommates with the ability to check profiles.
  • Badi is a platform for finding rooms and roommates.

Tips for safe roommate search in Calgary

  • Face-to-face meeting or video call.** Be sure to talk to your potential roommate before signing the contract.
  • Check information.** Ask for references, check the homeowner's documents.
  • Always sign a lease with clear terms and conditions.
  • Be careful with prepayments.** Do not transfer money without a contract and confirmation from the owner.

Conclusion

There are many resources for finding roommates in Calgary - from classic classifieds sites (Kijiji, Craigslist) to specialized platforms (Roomster, RentFaster) and social networks (Facebook). The choice depends on your needs, budget, and length of stay. Using these tools along with common sense and caution will help you find the perfect roommate and make your life in Calgary comfortable and safe.