Image of a group of friends sitting in the grass in front of the New York City skyline at sunset.

Experience the unique and fun opportunity to live in New York City with roommates! (Photo credit: Ben Duchac via Unsplash)

As we explored last week, shared apartments are increasingly becoming one of the most popular and forward-thinking ways of living in a big city, particularly in New York City. However, choosing a roommate share apartment comes with a few unique challenges and concerns. What if I don’t get enough of my own space? How can I find a roommate share in my ideal location? And of course, the big one—What if I don’t get along with my roommate?

Fortunately, choosing to rent with New York Habitat can help alleviate a few of these concerns. Our agents work to match apartments and roommates based on their unique needs and lifestyles, and we constantly update our apartment database with new information based on owner communication. Our inventory is always evolving as well.

Of course, no source of information is more valuable than the opinions of our past clients who have personally lived the experience of staying in a New York Habitat roommate share. To help you get started with your search, see what clients have loved about their shared apartments in their own words by exploring five of our top-rated roommate shares!

Room in a 4-bedroom Roosevelt Island apartment with views of the East River

Image of living area of NY-14708 with sofas, coffee table, rug, and dining table and chairs.

Let a panoramic view of NYC greet you as you walk into this spacious 4-bedroom roommate share. (Rental ID: NY-14708)

As one of the older and more elite neighborhoods in Manhattan, the Upper East Side can get expensive. It can also be a bustling location thanks to nearby attractions like Central Park and the Museum Mile, so at times you may find yourself longing for an escape. Fortunately, you can have great proximity to Manhattan, luxury amenities, and above all, a great roommate in this Roosevelt Island 4-bedroom roommate share!

This homey apartment has an open living area with plenty of seating and wide windows that offer sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. The eat-in kitchen gives you space to prepare meals or gather with your roommates, and when you want your own space, your room for rent is ready to deliver with a queen-sized bed, storage space, a desk, and even a private bathroom.

Image of balcony of NY-14708 overlooking the East River.

Enjoy amenities like this great balcony, as well as a welcoming landlady and your own space. (Rental ID: NY-14708)

The amenities don’t stop there, as you’ll also have access to a private balcony and be in a building with an elevator, a 24-hour doorman, laundry facilities, and a swimming pool. Roosevelt Island is a go-at-your-own pace residential area, and many properties offer stunning waterfront views. This one is no exception!

Between the view, the location, and the building, this roommate share is guaranteed to impress, but what really elevates it is the awesome roommate. Our past client Edward W. from the United States sums it up with this 5-star review:

“I had an amazing time staying here… you’re living in a calm and peaceful neighborhood. I had no trouble commuting or going out to anywhere in the city. The view is unbelievable and the landlady is probably the nicest person on the planet… the building itself is great, it has a pool and a really nice gym. Really a fantastic room in an unbelievable location.”

To enjoy a homey apartment in a great location with a well-reviewed roommate, consider this 4-bedroom Roosevelt Island share.

Trendy and youthful 2-bedroom roommate share in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn

Image of bedroom in NY-14939 with double bed and wardrobe.

Create your own calm in the chaos of NYC with this stylish, modern room for rent in a residential area of Brooklyn. (Rental ID: NY-14939)

The borough of Brooklyn is one of the most popular places in the city for apartment shares, and this room for rent in a 2-bedroom apartment in the central neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant is a great place to try it out! Live in classic Brooklyn style in a walk-up brownstone building, but enjoy modern conveniences like air conditioning and wireless internet. The room for rent is a sharp, neat, minimalist sanctuary with two windows and stylish exposed brick.

The living area is perfectly suited for roommates! An open floor plan that merges the kitchen and living room ensures you and your roommates won’t bump elbows, and the bright colors keep things cheery. Of course, you may find yourself wanting to spend time with the roommates, who are praised for their helpfulness and friendly demeanor. Our past client Luis S. of Chile says,

“I spent 3 months here and this apartment and my bedroom exceeded my expectations by far, the people who helped me are incredible and they did everything they could to help, the place is very clean, tidy and safe, I had a great time and I’ll definitely rent again with them if I go back to NY.”

Past United States client Corey D. praises the roommates and the apartment’s modern style as well:

“The roommates are also very kind, friendly, personable people. They respect your privacy and are quiet at night. The upstairs apartment is very modern and gorgeous.”

In the popular Brooklyn neighborhood of Bed-Stuy, you can enjoy all the best parts of Brooklyn, like cultural diversity, great food, and hip hangouts, as well as proximity to several subway lines. If that sounds good to you, take a look at this Bed-Stuy roommate share!

Uptown 2-bedroom roommate share, great for students

Image of bedroom in NY-6328 with double bed, dresser, and sofa.

Bright, cheery colors mark the independent vibe of this room for rent. (Rental ID: NY-6328)

The neighborhood of Washington Heights marches to its own drum, being one of the furthest uptown neighborhoods in Manhattan and having a residential, small-town feel. This room for rent in a 2-bedroom apartment has its own vibe too that students and independence-seekers will love! The apartment is decorated in a colorful, quirky style and features generous seating, a four-person dining area with a bay window, and a full kitchen with bold red countertops.

Independent spirits will revel in the bedroom for rent, which is spacious enough to accommodate a double bed, a sofa by the window, and even a full-sized desk! You’ll also enjoy extra privacy with a private bathroom off the bedroom for rent.

Image of view from NY-6328 of the Hudson River.

Room to relax and views of the Hudson River are trademarks of Washington Heights.

Whether you take advantage of the spacious living room or the ample privacy in the room for rent, a few things are for certain: You’ll love the location and find a friendly and welcoming roommate waiting for you! The apartment is close to expansive parkland, views of the Hudson River, and several universities including Barnard College, The City College of New York and Columbia University. This apartment currently holds a 4.8-star rating, and tenants like past client Margaux F. of France praise the location and the friendly roommate:

“Very well-located apartment, close to Columbia campus and several subway lines. Quiet area in Manhattan, next to Hudson River… Of course, the main strength of this rental is the landlady who is very nice and welcoming. She almost treated me like a family member.”

This Manhattan roommate share is highly recommended to students and recent transplants to NYC alike. Start your journey in the Big Apple with the help of a friendly roommate host!

A private and affordable 2-bedroom roommate share in downtown Manhattan

Image of bedroom of NY-17206 with double bed, dresser, bookcase and private bathroom.

A private bathroom and personal TV give you privacy and let you tailor your roommate share experience in this downtown location. (Rental ID: NY-17206)

Your choices for a roommate share aren’t just limited to uptown and Brooklyn! While downtown Manhattan has a reputation for being highly-coveted (aka pricier), you can’t go wrong with this room for rent in a 2-bedroom apartment in Peter Cooper Village! Peter Cooper Village is a tiny neighborhood on the southeast side of Manhattan that’s surrounded by popular heavyweights like the East Village, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and Kips Bay. Its central location near some of the most famous areas in Manhattan makes it ideal for students, businesspeople, or just those looking to experience the best of NYC.

For such an exclusive area, one of the best parts of this roommate share is the unbeatable pricing for a private room that’s spacious enough for a double-sized bed, an armchair, a personal television, a closet, and even a private bathroom!

Image of kitchen in NY-17206.

The counter space available in this apartment’s kitchen was made for sharing! (Rental ID: NY-17206)

Your private room will supply everything you need for a comfortable stay, but be sure to get out and mingle in the rest of the apartment too. The open living room is furnished in a casual, sporty style and gives everyone room to spread out, and the fully-equipped separate kitchen has ample counter space for preparing meals (though you may be tempted to sample every delicious restaurant in the area!).

We truly believe this apartment is a hidden gem, but don’t just take our word for it! Past clients praise the quality of the stay, the roommate hosts, and the fair rent. See this review from our past client Fargana K. of Azerbaijan, for example:

“The apartment, room, and host family all were excellent. I had a [quiet], clean room, private bathroom, internet, tv. The landlady was very kind and polite. She always offered help whenever I need anything. I’m very glad that I had met her.”

And our client Ewan A. of the United Kingdom praised the location for a professional in New York:

“I had an amazing 2 months living here while working in midtown, fantastic location and great room. For the price you pay the location and quality of the room is outstanding.”

If you’re looking for a roommate share with private space, a hospitable environment, and a downtown location that’s an easy commute to work, this 4.9-star rated 2-bedroom might be your dream apartment.

Flexible, residential New York living in Queens

Image of bedroom in NY-16268 with single bed and chair.

A private bedroom in Queens is a great deal for renters looking for a sweeter, slower side of NYC. (Rental ID: NY-16268)

Expand your horizons past the most well-known parts of New York City and you may find yourself loving the unexpected, like this room for rent in Ozone Park, Queens! As rents in Manhattan and even Brooklyn rise, New Yorkers have begun to turn their sights towards Queens for the best deals, one of which you’ll find in this apartment.

Guests in this duplex apartment will enjoy a calm residential neighborhood that tourists rarely experience. Ozone Park is right off the A subway train, which travels to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and JFK Airport (making it convenient for those traveling from afar!). The apartment itself is furnished in a tasteful and elegant style, right down to classy touches like a decorative fireplace, chandeliers, and high ceilings. You’ll also enjoy a security system for added peace of mind and a tranquil backyard, giving you outdoor access that New Yorkers crave!

Image of backyard in NY-16268.

This green backyard oasis is completely private for you and your roommates’ enjoyment! (Rental ID: NY-16268)

You’ll have the choice of two different private rooms for rent in this apartment, each offering a small workspace and a twin or queen bed. Whichever room you choose, you’ll enjoy the welcome of a friendly roommate host who is continually praised for her hospitality and local knowledge of the diverse borough of Queens and beyond. The apartment currently holds a 4.5-star rating, and the positive remarks are too numerous to list, but this review from Matthias O. of Germany says it all!

“The room was fine and the subway station was close by… the kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom I shared with two roommates were very nice and clean! The best about my stay where [sic] the two roommates I lived with together. One of them is the landlady and she was my ‘American mom.’”

At New York Habitat, we are committed to providing quality furnished apartments to all of our clients, but a roommate who goes the extra mile to host takes a good apartment stay and makes it great. Fortunately, our top-rated roommate shares all have this in common! Whether you decide to rent one of our top-rated rentals or try something completely new, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from working with a licensed agent who can bring a human angle to your rental experience and help you find a shared apartment to fit your needs. Start your New York roommate share journey by submitting a request to our agency, and if your favorite roommate share is featured in this article, be sure to let us know in the comments!