Speed Roommating Is Coming to Astoria

If you’ve heard of speed dating, you can imagine how “speed roommating” works. A company based in the UK, SpareRoom, is expanding its reach beyond the usual borough suspects of Manhattan and Brooklyn and into Queens—Astoria, specifically.

So why would you want to participate in the “speed roommating” process? “Finding the right people to live with can feel like an impossible task,” explains Finnían Smith of SpareRoom. “So we make it a simple, quick and safe process. This experience allows for the meeting of lots of potential new roommates in just a couple of hours, giving the best chance of finding the right ones without the hassle (and awkwardness) of attending viewings first.”

Another bonus is that this event is completely free to attend, no fee. It will take place at Oliver’s Astoria (37-19 Broadway) on Wednesday, January 31 from 7-9pm.

This process actually reminds me a lot of the now defunct Roommates Wanted NYC, which was developed by Jeff Orlick (founder and organizer of the Jackson Height Momo Crawl), but without the $5 fee. In his words, “No more spam, scams, creeps and no-shows. No more wasting time.” Seems like SpareRoom’s speed roommating process could also help you avoid these unpleasantries.

So head to the Queens SpareRoom page and reserve your spot if you plan to go—and if it’s not clear, you can attend if you either have a room available or need a room. Perhaps it’s exactly what you’re looking for!