A while back I helped my aunt get a roommate by placing ads on Craigslist for her. She was looking for a female around the same age as she was and it turned out to be successful. You are right though. There are so many scams, and shady people and Craigslist is a good platform for that. However there are many wonderful people that use Craigslist, as well. My advice is to be super careful. If you are going to use Craigslist as a platform to find a roommate, talk on the phone first, and then meet in a public place or have a friend with you if you are allowing them to come to your home or apartment. Be safe and cautious. Have a list of questions you will ask and DO NOT be alone with them. If you feel uneasy about anything, end the deal or conversation.

This is my opinion only. There may be safer ways to find a roommate, for example you can tell friends and family first. See if anyone knows of someone that needs a room. http://www.flickr.com/photos/loupiote/2917533679/

I personally don't think I could go through with it. The same situation would apply with finding a babysitter online. It's just too hard to determine the truth in a person without knowing them first hand. Of course, there are always ways to find information on a person. If you know their first and last name, you can probably dig up some info on them through an extensive Google search. Facebook and Myspace are invaluable for finding information. Some states also have public background checking websites.

I just wouldn't trust anyone's word. They may be an okay person, but you need to know the facts before you incorporate them into your life in such a big way.

Be cautious, but Craigslist is surely a place to find a roommate. It's not where you found the roommate that matters, but are you going to get alone what that person is the issue. Check out the place first, if the price is right and location is important too. Before signing anything, talk to the owner or landlord and see if the roommate has been late with rent or anything. Even talk with the next door neighbor and see if that roommate parties all the time or brings strangers late at night. Make a temp email account just for searching apts. That way you wont get spams. Use your best judgment when dealing with strangers. In my opinion, craiglist ads are a great resource to look for a roommate.

When I wanted a roommate (so I could live in a nicer apartment than I could afford on my own) I went through a roommate referral service. At the time, it only cost about $30 and it was very successful. I talked to 3 people on the phone first. I asked questions about managing utility bills, chores, the space, and where the other person wanted to live. Then I met one of those women in person, we had lunch and talked. We clicked and looked for an apartment together. I think it was easier because we both moved in on the same day, so it wasn't "her apartment" or "my apartment" and had an understanding about how we would share the parking space, chores and space in advance.

That woman became one of my best friends (we had dinner last night and I'm babysitting her kids Sunday so she can go on a date with her husband).

There are still hundreds of roommate referral programs and even internet services. I would choose that route over Criagslist. Another method of finding a roommate that might be slightly less successful is to look for one through work, either that person's work or through a parent's work. Then you are least connected to the other person in some way.

If I were looking for a place now, no, I would not want a roommate. When I was young and broke, it was nice, but it's always hard to share space with someone else - even if you like them.