People who talk and talk but don't listen - how do you handle it?

Just moved to a new town, met someone who's into many of the activities I'd like to do; fishing, texas hold-em and other stuff. I told him I was looking for a place to rent, he called me later saying he'd be willing to sleep on the couch and give me his bed. (I didn't get the sense he's romantically interested, and nor am I in him).
Thing is, he talks and talks, on and on, about stuff. I sit there, listening, but after awhile it just feels like he's sucking energy out of em. It's like every thought he's had lately, he needs to verbalize. I live in Alaska, maybe this guy has had cabin fever, and now there's a person to listen to all the thoughts that have been racing around in his head all winter. But I don't want that, I want a friend who will listen and ask questions and have it be roughly an even exchange of give and take, a dialogue rather than a monologue. What should I say to him, and will it make a difference? He's 56, and I'm afraid probably stuck in his ways.

Haha, reminds me of these friends of my parents. They talk on and on, and will talk on the phone all day. The guy will get on the phone for an hour, then after he gets tired he'll put his wife on for the next! And if you try to say bye they'll have none of it and keep changing the subject!

I don't think there's really anything you can do. It's probably just his personality to yack a lot! If you really can't stand it then don't live with him. Or maybe even say something like, I enjoy talking to you but it seems like you're always the one doing all the talking.

Or try to be witty--say jeez, don't you ever need to come up for air? Or, man you sure do talk a lot! Or just act disinterested. Good luck!

you aren't going to change him. your not involved with him. so you find your own house to live in and you move out and remain friends with him, keeping your mouth shut about his talking endlessly. once your moved out of his house, you can visit when you feel like it and not when you don't.

Unfortunatly he is stuck in his ways. I used to have a neighbor, same age as him, exactly like that! I'd have to just walk way. It is so irritating, I know what you are going through.