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Find The Right Roommate By Mary Spicuzza The home should be a haven, a respite from the lunacy of the outside world. But anybody who has experienced bad roommates knows that they can transform even the swankiest home into the set of a horror flick. In an ideal world, people could sit down together and calmly work out their differences over tea. But when the sound of a binge-drinking roomie wakes you in the middle of the night, it's usually best to just make plans for a replacement. There will be plenty of time for chatting later, especially if former roomies end up in small claims court. Anyone opting to flee his or her own personal Amityville Horror story could follow all of the typical house-hunting rules, like scouring the newspaper classifieds section every morning and cruising cafes for well-written fliers. A surprisingly efficient and rewarding method is networking with your trusted cadre of professionals: the charming baristas in the neighborhood coffeehouse, coworkers, dental hygienists and mail carriers, all of whom can spread the word about your dilemma and help think of suitable replacements. Sympathetic hair stylists are often networking experts for house-hunters, as they hear stories all day long. (They can also avenge evil roomies with a really bad haircut.) While waiting for results from this old-fashioned method, cruising the web provides an excellent backup plan. Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) provides great Bay Area rental listings. But before packing a moving van and rushing for the next open room, renters should spend some time talking with, interrogating and carefully observing all potential housemates. And be honest. Lying to get your sloppy self into a squeaky-clean household does no one any good. Don't be embarrassed to ask about habits: smoking, relationships, shower fetishes, and especially alcohol consumption. Streamlined Living: Pare down and live simply. Put Up Yer Dukes: Don't get mad, get even. Cruising: Transit made simple. Soul Relief: Free your inner self. Get in on the Gold Rush: Grab a fistful of cash and join the party. Domestic Bliss: Make your house into a home.     Gift Of Life     Neighbors Unite     Don't Earn It, Marry It!     Toilet Train Your Cat [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]