How do you find a room-mate in a new city?

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I am planning to move out and to the Los Angeles/Orange County area in a couple weeks. I have a bunch of friends scattered about in the area, but they're mostly in Riverside county (about 40-60 minutes away from where I want to be) or in college dorms. I do have someone I can stay with for a while if worst comes to worst out there, but I plan on finding an apartment or a room or something to stay in, in Los Angeles. My question is, how can I find somewhere I can stay? I'm kind of paranoid about ending up with someone creepy or someone that will try to steal my stuff or something. w