Middle-aged renters in California are increasingly participating in monthly "speed-roommating" events in Los Angeles, seeking housemates to manage the high cost of living. These events, hosted by the online roommate-finding platform SpareRoom, offer a face-to-face alternative to digital platforms for individuals in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who find living alone financially unfeasible.
Amanda Heart, a 46-year-old film industry professional, has leased her three-bedroom apartment in Valley Village for nine years. Despite having a rent-controlled unit, she now requires roommates. "Two years ago, I was able to have my three-bedroom all to myself. The way the economy is, I definitely have to have roommates now," Heart stated, noting that friends have seen rent increases of $300 to $500 after their leases end.
SpareRoom's speed-roommating events, which originated in the UK in 2007 and have expanded to Los Angeles and San Diego, are designed to facilitate direct interactions between potential roommates. Attendees at these events, often held at venues like the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood, wear name tags indicating their budget, preferred neighborhoods, and whether they are seeking a roommate or a tenant.
Leetal Platt, 40, a tailor looking for a roommate to share her Hollywood apartment, explained the direct approach of the events. "You immediately get a sense of what people need, what their intentions are," she said. "It kind of is cutting out some of the fat, and being like very direct, ‘Who are you? What are you looking for? What’s the price? Do we vibe?’"
While people of all ages attend, SpareRoom reports a growing popularity among middle-aged Angelenos. Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom, observed that people are sharing living spaces for longer periods, with increasing numbers in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. "The older groups are growing faster than the younger groups because people just can’t afford to live either on their own or look to buy a place," Hutchinson said.
Despite a July report from Realtor.com indicating a four-year low in median rents in LA County, standing at $2,603, many renters, particularly younger ones, are still dedicating a significant portion of their income to housing. Jiayi Xu, an economist at Realtor.com, noted that "entry-level workers in many fields continue to face difficult housing tradeoffs."
Some attendees, like 54-year-old Johnny Yamamoto of West Hollywood, seek companionship in addition to sharing costs. "I can afford to live in my place by myself, I just prefer to have someone around," he said.
Others attending the events are grappling with the broader economic climate. Albrik Keshishian, 66, a retiree who splits his time between Europe and Los Angeles, is looking for a rental for his next visit with a monthly budget of $800 to $1,000. Keshishian, who sold a property in Glendale in 2022 for $1.2 million that is now valued at $2.5 million, commented on the rising cost of living. "The whole world has become so expensive," Keshishian said. "It’s going to be very difficult for the new generation. I’m retired, but it’s going to be tough. Something has to give."