It is the usual American word for housemate/flatmate. It's just that, usually, those with the most interesting "roommate" stories are typically university stude

It is the usual American word for housemate/flatmate. It's just that, usually, those with the most interesting "roommate" stories are typically university students (current, or former.) Outside of university, hardly anyone shares a room with any stranger on a rental basis. That is, outside trafficked migrant ghettos, homeless shelters, San Francisco and prisons.