Skip the date and move in: LA site is taking matchmaking up a notch

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Many people would agree that the scariest part of a relationship is when you inevitably move in together. 

 

So why not get that out of the way first? 

 

Hollywood-based LoveRoom is taking online dating to a new level, matching up singles to live together for a week. No flirting. No dates. Just a key to the apartment. 

 

The site launched in November 2013 and has caught on internationally with users from over 100 countries, including a major following in Brazil. Originally intended to be a romantic alternative to Airbnb, co-founder Josh Bocanegra says the site now focuses on matching local couples. 

 

Describing the site as straightforward is an understatement. After filling out account information, users simply select their age preference and search their area for a match. After a couple begins talking on the site, they are encouraged to meet in person or via Skype before making the next step of moving in with each other. 

 

While the idea may seem outlandish to many, Bocanegra believes that a week of living with one another is a streamlined approach that can eliminate the initial months of courting. 

 

One might ask, “How can he make this claim?” Because, simply put, he was the first to do it. 

“My cofounder, who is my girlfriend, was kind of the first LoveRoom user before the site even existed.” Bocanegra explained. “We met on Facebook and we decided to basically live together for a week to see what it would be like and three years later we’re still together.”

 

The list of concerns about living with a complete stranger is understandably long, and due to the high number of international users on the site, background checks are essentially impossible. But LoveRoom says their main safety precaution relies on their user’s judgement, and, so far, that’s been enough. 

 

Not only has safety not been an issue, but Bocanegra said he has only received positive feedback. Last week he received a hopeful message from a new user whose friend met her fiancée through the site. 

 

“Overall, I think Loveroom can be the fastest and most authentic way to find love,” said Bocanegra. “With dating in LA, it's like no one takes each other seriously anymore because everyone is disposable. It's so quick to go on a date and find one thing you don't like and just move on to the next one. LoveRoom is like— No. Focus. Spend time with this person and actually get to know them. It’s basically months of dating condensed into seven days.”

 

The idea has garnered the attention of TV studios as well. The site recently signed a deal for its own television show slated to air in April.