Summary:
[[Image:LOLBYECRAIGSLIST.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Craig who?]]
When looking for a new apartment, the go-to for most people is still Craigslist. And while the old wagon wheel is versatile, it?s not really great for anything in particular. The site often presents apartment listings without an image or full description of potential abodes, offers no sense of what neighborhoods have to offer, and lurking scams can snag even the most incredulous home hunters. Furthermore, attending an open house only to find the place infested with infelicitous roommates is a time-wasting nuisance ? and easily avoidable.
In this how-to, we'll explore alternatives that will entice you to drag Craigslist straight out of your Bookmarks Toolbar for good.
''This article was written by John Flanagan, a Vermont-based writer, film fan, and intermittent bon vivant.''
==Get a Room==
While that coveted loft in the East Village with exposed brick and a private bowling alley might still be found on Craigslist, scan these interactive map-based websites first to ensure you move on up. Each of these sites offers a mobile app, and allows users to post their available listings as well.
===Hotpads.com===
[[Image:HotPads1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://hotpads.com HotPads.com]]]
[http://www.hotpads.com/ Hotpads.com] features an interactive map with icons representing different types of available listings. "HotSpots" color-code each listing by price. Dark red, for instance, means expensive; light blue means cheap. The maps can display regions not only by population density, but by per capita income, household income, median age, median rent, and other helpful criteria as well.
To use, click on any pinpointed listing to see its image and price. Select "view info" to see more photos, specifications, and everything from proximity to schools to the breakdown of how the price stacks up against similar units in that zip code, area code, county, or state. Don't like the maps? List view is available for a more traditional approach. Hotpads also includes resources for obtaining your free credit report, renters' insurance guides, moving and storage centers, and property management finders. The only downfall here is the scarcity of listings in certain areas. Besides that, Craig who?
===Place Of Mine===
[[Image:PlaceOfMine1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://placeofmine.com PlaceOfMine.com]]]
[http://www.placeofmine.com/ Place Of Mine] hails from the makers of [http://www.cazoodle.com/ Cazoodle] as an improvement upon their already pretty good, but not map-based, [http://www.apartments.cazoodle.com aggregated apartment browser]. The site supports collaboration with potential roommates, landlords, and fellow apartment searchers by sharing photos or filtering listings by other users' ratings. Place of Mine also offers their "CaPinion," which lets you know when you've found a gem or could probably do better. Most listings feature user-posted pictures and a headcount of nearby schools, restaurants, hospitals, and other local attractions.
<br clear="all" />
===Padmapper===
A predecessor of Place of Mine, [http://www.padmapper.com/ Padmapper] combines Google Map-powered technology with Craigslist mediocrity. The pushpin-laden map displays apartment listings from Craigslist, Apartments.com, Rent.com, and other unspecified sources. Like its competitors, Padmapper analyzes how prices of particular units measure against similar listings in the area. You can also make notes, build a favorites list, and receive e-mail notifications when a listing pertaining to your preferences pops up. Another plus is the abundance of listings. By registering for free and signing in, you can share favorites lists and compare notes with other apartment seekers. This collaborative feature, however, pales in comparison to Place of Mine's photo-sharing and communication capabilities. Furthermore, Padmapper offers no list view or any of the fun color-coded pizzazz that Hotpads provides. Listing information is limited and photos are scarce. Definitely stop by here in your apartment hunt, just don't expect much coddling.
===MyApartmentMap===
[[Image:MyApartmentMap1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://myapartmentmap.com MyApartmentMap.com]]]
[http://www.myapartmentmap.com/ MyApartmentMap] makes good on its title's promise while offering its craigslist-culled postings in list view as well. The site caters specifically to pet owners, college students, military families, and affordable housing seekers. Aside from offering rental data and deals customized per users' interests, MyApartmentMap is really quite basic.
<br clear="all" />
==Get a Room(mate)==
Though judging a book by its cover may not be the best system of critical analysis, assessing a potential roommate's online profile can't hurt. That old blue Victorian near the BART station may be everything you had hoped for, but perhaps Xserialkillr's profile will deter you from throwing in that deposit.
===Roomiematch.com===
"No Scams, No Spams, No Scums," says [http://www.roomiematch.com/ Roomiematch.com]. The site prides itself on using human scanners to filter out "slimeball internet rip-off artists." The watchers also ensure their site isn't adulterated with date-seekers trying a backhanded approach. They offer Roommate Behavior Ratings and boast their information is kept more current than any other online roommate service. Two options are available: Free or Cheap. Free has you sit back while other site members contact you; Cheap lets you do the contacting. Begin by selecting whether you have a room or need one, then answer the barrage of somewhat scrutinizing questions (sexual orientation preferences, promiscuity habits, religious outlook, etc.) and voil�. But wait! The website's team has to accept you before your listing appears on site ? most trustworthy of all contenders indeed.
===Roomster===
With [http://www.roomster.com/ Roomster] you can either view the most likeminded matches to your profile as a list or browse shares/rentals by gender, age, rent price, and of course, zodiac sign. Users must login to see others' profiles, but registration is free. Like roomiematch.com, creating an account can be somewhat arduous. Once finished however, Roomster's features include instant messaging, favorites lists, and profile flagging. Listings are abundant and personal information/preferences tend to be detailed. A full membership grants you access to a larger pool of members, your own Roomster mailbox, and social network access to other users. Three-day subscriptions go for $5.95, $14.95 will get you two weeks, and four weeks costs $29.95.
===EasyRoommate===
[[Image:EasyRoommate1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://easyroommate.com EasyRoommate.com]]]
[http://www.easyroommate.com/ EasyRoommate] stands out from its competitors by offering map views of open rooms. With the free Basic membership you can reach out to other members, while Premium membership lets you follow through with your potential bunkie to seal the deal. Charges vary depending on how long you plan to advertise your listing. For an area like New York City, you can browse available rooms/roommates by neighborhood or subway stop. You can also "Buddy Up" with another room seeker and rent a place together. Like Roomster, the site is rife with ads for dating services. Make sure you and your potential mate agree upon exactly what it is you're sharing.
<br clear="all" />
===RoommateNation.com===
[http://www.roommatenation.com/ RoommateNation.com]
is the most spartan roommate service of the lot. Basic access is free, or upgrade for $2.99 to view hidden profile information, property descriptions, and to receive emails from other users. RoommateNation.com also offers links to resources for credit and background checks, truck rental companies, and other useful moving-related amenities.
When looking for a new apartment, the go-to for most people is still Craigslist. And while the old wagon wheel is versatile, it?s not really great for anything in particular. The site often presents apartment listings without an image or full description of potential abodes, offers no sense of what neighborhoods have to offer, and lurking scams can snag even the most incredulous home hunters. Furthermore, attending an open house only to find the place infested with infelicitous roommates is a time-wasting nuisance ? and easily avoidable.
In this how-to, we'll explore alternatives that will entice you to drag Craigslist straight out of your Bookmarks Toolbar for good.
''This article was written by John Flanagan, a Vermont-based writer, film fan, and intermittent bon vivant.''
==Get a Room==
While that coveted loft in the East Village with exposed brick and a private bowling alley might still be found on Craigslist, scan these interactive map-based websites first to ensure you move on up. Each of these sites offers a mobile app, and allows users to post their available listings as well.
===Hotpads.com===
[[Image:HotPads1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://hotpads.com HotPads.com]]]
[http://www.hotpads.com/ Hotpads.com] features an interactive map with icons representing different types of available listings. "HotSpots" color-code each listing by price. Dark red, for instance, means expensive; light blue means cheap. The maps can display regions not only by population density, but by per capita income, household income, median age, median rent, and other helpful criteria as well.
To use, click on any pinpointed listing to see its image and price. Select "view info" to see more photos, specifications, and everything from proximity to schools to the breakdown of how the price stacks up against similar units in that zip code, area code, county, or state. Don't like the maps? List view is available for a more traditional approach. Hotpads also includes resources for obtaining your free credit report, renters' insurance guides, moving and storage centers, and property management finders. The only downfall here is the scarcity of listings in certain areas. Besides that, Craig who?
===Place Of Mine===
[[Image:PlaceOfMine1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://placeofmine.com PlaceOfMine.com]]]
[http://www.placeofmine.com/ Place Of Mine] hails from the makers of [http://www.cazoodle.com/ Cazoodle] as an improvement upon their already pretty good, but not map-based, [http://www.apartments.cazoodle.com aggregated apartment browser]. The site supports collaboration with potential roommates, landlords, and fellow apartment searchers by sharing photos or filtering listings by other users' ratings. Place of Mine also offers their "CaPinion," which lets you know when you've found a gem or could probably do better. Most listings feature user-posted pictures and a headcount of nearby schools, restaurants, hospitals, and other local attractions.
<br clear="all" />
===Padmapper===
A predecessor of Place of Mine, [http://www.padmapper.com/ Padmapper] combines Google Map-powered technology with Craigslist mediocrity. The pushpin-laden map displays apartment listings from Craigslist, Apartments.com, Rent.com, and other unspecified sources. Like its competitors, Padmapper analyzes how prices of particular units measure against similar listings in the area. You can also make notes, build a favorites list, and receive e-mail notifications when a listing pertaining to your preferences pops up. Another plus is the abundance of listings. By registering for free and signing in, you can share favorites lists and compare notes with other apartment seekers. This collaborative feature, however, pales in comparison to Place of Mine's photo-sharing and communication capabilities. Furthermore, Padmapper offers no list view or any of the fun color-coded pizzazz that Hotpads provides. Listing information is limited and photos are scarce. Definitely stop by here in your apartment hunt, just don't expect much coddling.
===MyApartmentMap===
[[Image:MyApartmentMap1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://myapartmentmap.com MyApartmentMap.com]]]
[http://www.myapartmentmap.com/ MyApartmentMap] makes good on its title's promise while offering its craigslist-culled postings in list view as well. The site caters specifically to pet owners, college students, military families, and affordable housing seekers. Aside from offering rental data and deals customized per users' interests, MyApartmentMap is really quite basic.
<br clear="all" />
==Get a Room(mate)==
Though judging a book by its cover may not be the best system of critical analysis, assessing a potential roommate's online profile can't hurt. That old blue Victorian near the BART station may be everything you had hoped for, but perhaps Xserialkillr's profile will deter you from throwing in that deposit.
===Roomiematch.com===
"No Scams, No Spams, No Scums," says [http://www.roomiematch.com/ Roomiematch.com]. The site prides itself on using human scanners to filter out "slimeball internet rip-off artists." The watchers also ensure their site isn't adulterated with date-seekers trying a backhanded approach. They offer Roommate Behavior Ratings and boast their information is kept more current than any other online roommate service. Two options are available: Free or Cheap. Free has you sit back while other site members contact you; Cheap lets you do the contacting. Begin by selecting whether you have a room or need one, then answer the barrage of somewhat scrutinizing questions (sexual orientation preferences, promiscuity habits, religious outlook, etc.) and voil�. But wait! The website's team has to accept you before your listing appears on site ? most trustworthy of all contenders indeed.
===Roomster===
With [http://www.roomster.com/ Roomster] you can either view the most likeminded matches to your profile as a list or browse shares/rentals by gender, age, rent price, and of course, zodiac sign. Users must login to see others' profiles, but registration is free. Like roomiematch.com, creating an account can be somewhat arduous. Once finished however, Roomster's features include instant messaging, favorites lists, and profile flagging. Listings are abundant and personal information/preferences tend to be detailed. A full membership grants you access to a larger pool of members, your own Roomster mailbox, and social network access to other users. Three-day subscriptions go for $5.95, $14.95 will get you two weeks, and four weeks costs $29.95.
===EasyRoommate===
[[Image:EasyRoommate1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Screenshot from [http://easyroommate.com EasyRoommate.com]]]
[http://www.easyroommate.com/ EasyRoommate] stands out from its competitors by offering map views of open rooms. With the free Basic membership you can reach out to other members, while Premium membership lets you follow through with your potential bunkie to seal the deal. Charges vary depending on how long you plan to advertise your listing. For an area like New York City, you can browse available rooms/roommates by neighborhood or subway stop. You can also "Buddy Up" with another room seeker and rent a place together. Like Roomster, the site is rife with ads for dating services. Make sure you and your potential mate agree upon exactly what it is you're sharing.
<br clear="all" />
===RoommateNation.com===
[http://www.roommatenation.com/ RoommateNation.com]
is the most spartan roommate service of the lot. Basic access is free, or upgrade for $2.99 to view hidden profile information, property descriptions, and to receive emails from other users. RoommateNation.com also offers links to resources for credit and background checks, truck rental companies, and other useful moving-related amenities.
Source: http://feeds.wired.com/~r/howtowiki/~3/xJl_nJoXuNM/Land_a_Pad_Without_Using_Craigslist
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