I moved to NYC at 22 and lived with a 70-year-old roommate. She had rules, meals, and a busier social life than me.

William Swanson. Courtesy of William Swanson William Swanson, 22, moved to New York and needed to find a short-term rental. After scouring the internet, he found a listing on SpareRoom from a 70-year-old woman. Swanson moved in with her and found that despite their age difference, she was the perfect roommate. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with William Swanson, a 22-year-old working in medical sales who moved to New York in June. The conversation has been edited for lengt...