How far would you go to find the perfect housemate?

Many of us can’t afford the luxury of living alone – at least, not in places we want to live. Because of this, sharing a house with strangers is, for a lot of people, a necessity. Housemates hold the promise of cost efficiency, and they may even, at times, become new friends. But while there are a number of professional housemate-matching services available, sometimes you have to think outside the box in order to find “the one”.

Take US man Alfredo Salkeld, for example, who, after living with a consecutive set of housemates from hell, decided to take matters into his own hands. The advertising agency copywriter was determined to take a different approach, since posting on Craigslist hadn’t worked out too well for him in the past.

In an attempt to fill a vacant room in his Orlando home, Salkeld registered the domain IfWeWereRoommates.com and created many playful posters, which he then stuck in various locations around his university and parks.

“I’d take out the trash when it’s full” taped to a park bin.

“I’d water your plants when you’re away” poster taped to a fence.

Each poster includes the link to his website, where he goes on to explain: “I’m not crazy. But I’ve lived with crazy. And I can’t do it again. 

“My roommate’s moving and I can’t bring myself to search through Craigslist and Facebook. There’s gotta be someone out there that I’d jive with and is looking for a place.”

“I’d replace the roll” poster taped in a public toilet.

He urges others to spread the word. “Post a status. Fire off a tweet. Shout it loudly from your window. Tell your Grandma to turn on her Compaq and send an email to everyone she knows,” he writes.

“I need to get the word out to everyone. Well, preferably people who are looking for an apartment.”

The website includes a playful floorplan, including the “bitchin kitchen” and “where we poop” rooms.

There’s also regular details and pictures of the apartment itself for serious house hunters.

Salkeld isn’t the first roomie to get creative on their hunt for a housemate. Hugh Podmore created a clever slideshow that he posted on Craigslist back in 2013, while Melbourne resident Mark Peters took to Youtube with a parody video of Snoop Dogg’s Drop It Like It’s Hot music video (someone give this man a record deal).

As you can see, desperate times call for desperate measures. As for anyone struggling to find a decent roommate, perhaps these creative attempts will inspire you to up your game? 

Photos: IfWeWereRoommates.com