Roommate hunting in San Diego is about to get a whole lot simpler — and more social.
Speed Roommating, an in-person event hosted by SpareRoom, a roommate-finding platform, is coming to San Diego.
San Diego’s first Speed Roommating event is free to attend (registration required) and will be held on July 10 at Stout Public House at 1125 6th Ave. from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event is designed to streamline the roommate search by cutting out stress, saving time, and making the process more personal.
San Diego remains one of the most expensive rental markets in the country, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $2,000 or more per month. According to a recent survey by the Southern California Rental Housing Association, rents are up 4.1% across San Diego County, with the city itself seeing a 9.3% spike compared to last year.
As the overall cost of living continues to rise, more residents are turning to shared living—not just to save money, but also to build a sense of community.
“At SpareRoom, we’ve helped over 2.5 million people in the U.S. find roommates,” said Rupert Hunt, founder and CEO of SpareRoom, who will attend the event. “The people you live with can make or break your shared living experience, and that’s why we’ve put together this speed roommating event. It’s all about taking the search offline and helping people meet in an authentic way, in a city where housing costs have become unsustainable for many.”
The event functions like a mixer for people who are either advertising a room or looking for one. The format is inspired by speed dating—just without the awkward tables or timers. Attendees grab a sticker that says either “I need a room” or “I need a roommate,” get a drink, and start mingling.
It’s a casual, low-pressure setting designed to make real-world connections and significantly cut down the time typically spent scrolling through online listings.
SpareRoom’s data shows that San Diego has seen a steady rise in renters seeking shared housing. At around $1,301 per month for a room in a shared apartment, it’s a much more affordable option than a one-bedroom—and also tends to be more social.
The average annual cost savings of sharing an apartment versus renting a one-bedroom is around $12,600.
For more information, visit: www.spareroom.com
