Rent controlled my life. Every paycheck felt like it was gone before I could even touch it.
For years, more than half my income disappeared the moment rent was due. No matter how hard I worked.
I tried everything—downsizing, moving farther from work, cutting back on groceries, skipping doctor visits. Nothing helped. My rent kept going up, and my bank account could never recover.
Why renting feels impossible now
To rent an apartment, you usually need:
- First and last month’s rent
- A large security deposit
- Good credit
- Proof you earn 3x the rent
- A year-long lease
For most renters, even those with stable jobs, this system doesn’t work anymore.
Then I found something I wish I’d known about years ago: PadSplit.
I moved in for less than $300 the day after I applied to become a member. No security deposit. The rates were half the price of apartments. And I wasn’t getting locked into a year-long lease.
I found a better way to rent
PadSplit is an affordable room rental platform.
Instead of renting an entire apartment, you rent a private, furnished room in a home. There are thousands of rooms available on their site, so it’s usually easy to find one near where you work.
Here’s what you get:
- A private bedroom with a locking door
- Shared kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas (like the living room)
- Utilities and Wi-Fi included
- Laundry access is available in many homes
- Weekly rent instead of monthly
- No long-term lease
- First transfer is free if you want to move to another PadSplit home
- No minimum credit score. No security deposit.
I moved in for less than $300. I was even able to choose the day of the week my rent is due.
PadSplit is more than just a place to live
PadSplit also gives members access to perks through their partners. I regularly use the telemedicine and debt-relief services. They also have investing tools and financial education. It’s another way I feel supported, not just housed.
“But isn’t shared housing awkward?”
That was my biggest fear. I imagined it would be chaos living with strangers.
It’s been better than expected, though it did take adjusting. PadSplit members are screened. Homes have clear rules. Most people work during the day.
Is it luxury living? No. You do hear your housemates sometimes, and you have to be considerate about shared spaces.
Is it clean, secure, respectful, and affordable? Yes.
Something I didn’t expect: Community
Living with other people who are working toward similar goals has made the house feel like a home. I have people to talk to while making breakfast, and there’s always someone around when I want company.
The relief was immediate
Within the first month:
- I stopped stressing about rent
- I finally started saving over $400 a month
- I could still afford to pay rent when my work hours changed
- I didn’t get locked into a lease
For the first time in years, renting became easier.
PadSplit may not be for everyone, but it’s worked for me. Many members are people relocating, rebuilding after a setback, or renters who can’t afford an apartment in the city.
If you’re tired of high rent, PadSplit might be the reset you need. You can search for rooms in your area, see availability, and move in within days.
It’s how I went from surviving paycheck to paycheck to actually building a future for myself.
