Sharing a home is the easiest way to save money in an expensive city.
Both on the lease: you and your roommates all sign. Usually each person is responsible for the full rent, not just their share. If one leaves without paying, the others must pay.
Renting a room from a head tenant (the person on the lease) or from the owner who lives there. Ask if the landlord allows it.
By-the-bed student housing: you sign for one bedroom in a shared unit; the company matches roommates.
Your university housing office or international office.
Coworkers, community groups, places of worship.
Roommate websites and Facebook groups. Meet on a video call and then in person before deciding.
Never send a deposit to someone you have not met for a room you have not seen.
Write a simple agreement and all sign it. Include:
Who pays how much rent, to whom, by what date.
How to split utilities and internet (equal, or by room size).
Cleaning schedule and shared items (toilet paper, dish soap).
Guests and overnight visitors.
Quiet hours, smoking, alcohol, pets.
What happens if someone wants to move out early.
Use an app like Splitwise or a shared spreadsheet to track bills.
A sublet (sublease) is when you rent your home, or a room in it, to someone else for part of your lease, for example while you go home for the summer.
Most leases forbid subletting without the landlord's written permission. Ask first.
You usually stay responsible to the landlord if the subtenant does not pay or damages the place.
Use a written sublease with dates, rent and deposit.
Some cities have extra rules on short-term rentals under 30 days.
A sublet is good for short stays, but check:
That the person really holds the lease (ask to see it).
That the landlord approved it in writing.
That you will not be asked to leave suddenly.
Paying cash to a roommate with no receipt.
Letting a friend move in without telling the landlord. It can break your lease.
Splitting the bills only in words, then arguing later.