“I met one of my best friends at Roommate Referral. I was sitting there checking off all I wanted in a roommate while listening to her telling someone what she was looking for, which was exactly what I was checking off… I got up and introduced myself and walked her to my apartment on Clayton St. She was the best roommate I have ever had and one of the best friends a person could ever hope for.”
“It was on Cole Street. That place ruled.”
“Roommate Referral in the Haight – finding a roommate situation was stiff competition. The open house style would attract dozens of hopefuls; I got so lucky. Those roommates are some of my best friends for life!”
“Roommate Referral was the place!”
“Found all my shared apartments at Roommate Referral!”
“Roommate Referral on Cole and Haight. I paid $6 in 1981 and married my roommate in 1987.”
“Joel Koosed – I dug you guys so much!”
“I worked there in the early 90’s. It was the greatest. The owner and founder was Joel Koosed and he created the business in his apartment with milk crates for desks. I met all of my friends through Roommate Referral I can literally trace my life now (2021) to people I met there as roommates and fellow co-workers. It seems like there could be a book about the stories than came out of Roommate Referral. It was literally my first SF job, apartment, and friend circle when I moved here. Boyfriends too! Everything that came after Roommate Referral was connected.”
“Roommate Referral was the gateway to the city. So many people found like-minded folks to live with and expand their horizons. Joel is an unsung hero.”
“I’m still friends with some of the roommates l found there 30 years ago.”
“Roommate Referral is where I found a very cool roomie in just one afternoon, which was great, since it was a last-second need. Fantastic service!!”
“My future ex-husband used to come in looking for a roommate on my shift…and looking, and looking, LOL…we finally connected, married, had kid…after 17 years we went our own way… so many memories! I went on a few dates w/ some charming men I met while working there! I didn’t actually “meet” future ex there – I knew him already socially, he just signed of for the service when I was working there and kept coming back! I saw so many connections take place there – often someone coming in to list a place or search for a place would meet right there. And of course, since I had access to ALL the listings I found myself a SWEET spot in North Beach for $287 a month, and my roommate there eventually became godmother to my daughter (from the above referenced ‘future ex’). I’ll take those “employee benefits” any day over an ‘all you can eat lunch and snacks’… hahaha… those were really the days!”
“Roommate Referral Service!!! I found my best friend 36 years ago with their help. My boyfriend and I moved in with her and her boyfriend. The house sharing only lasted 6 terrible months, but she and I found each other later and we have been besties ever since.”
“I have the best memories of RR! It’s really fun to remember all those adventures, and how easy it was to move around in the city back then.”
“I went to Roommate Referral and was filling out the form when a guy came in and asked me about my bicycle, which was locked up outside. We ended up talking and, a half hour later, we went and found a place together on Belvedere Street. That was back in the mid-80s and we are still great friends today.”
“Roommate Referral saved me more than once! Days to move, not much money for deposits. I lived in some of the coolest spots thanks to them. I lived in one where I could see into Kezar Stadium. Free shows! Thank you Roommate Referral!”
“Roommate Referral. We used it for every roommate we accepted into our flat on Belvedere.”
“Roommate Referral!!! That was a great place, that was!”
“Roommate Referral! It was indispensable back in the day.”
“We lived in an enormous 4 bedroom, two-floor apartment in a big Victorian building with 14 apartments, Including 4 two-floor units like ours. So we always had someone coming or going and used Roommate Referral many times.”
“That was an invaluable service you provided.”
“Cozy and good vibe is what I remember too.”