WHEN I MOVED to North Carolina from Iowa, I knew to expect a big change in the cost of living. In Iowa, I was renting a two-bedroom house for $750 a month. In Asheville, you would be hard pressed to find a studio or 1-bedroom for less than $1,400. Due to the lack of affordable housing in the area, many people resort to finding roommates online. While these methods can lead to positive experiences, I’ve sworn them off after a particularly dysfunctional roommate experience.
As I set out to find a