Finding the right travel nurse housing can be a tricky business.
From searching on Airbnb to checking local listings, you want to make sure you're in an area where there are plenty of jobs for you, but you also need to make sure that the area is safe and comfortable enough for you to live in.
It's a balancing act—you need to be somewhere that has everything you need but also somewhere where you feel comfortable and like you belong.
Of course, there are other things to consider, too: do the people around me speak English? Is there good public transportation? Is the neighborhood safe enough for my family and me?
Let's take a look at seven tips to find the right travel nurse housing:
Find out your options
Do you research
Find the location near your work
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Look at the neighborhood
Ask about the utilities included in the rent
Consider short term rentals as compared to hotels and apartments
Check for pet policies
Avoid scams
1. Find Out Your Options
You have several options when it comes to housing for travel nurses:
- Agency-provided housing: This is the most common option for travel nurses. The agency will set you up with a place to live and often includes utilities. However, this option can be pricey and may force you to live farther away from work or other amenities.
- Rental or apartment: You may want to go this route if you want more freedom or less expensive options. You'll also need to do your own grocery shopping and transportation. But you'll be able to choose where you live and how much you spend on rent.
- Roommates: Many travel nurses will find roommates because it's cheaper than living alone and can be an excellent way to meet other people in the area.
2. Do Your Research
You want to ensure you're getting a good deal and not paying more than you should be for your travel nurse housing.
There are many websites out there that can help with this, including:
Airbnb
Airbnb is a popular short-term rental site, allowing people to rent their homes or rooms to guests worldwide. It's a great way to find cheap accommodation when traveling abroad!
Most travel nurses use Airbnb to find the right travel nurse housing for their needs.
You can search by location or price range to find something suitable for your needs.
The host will usually provide photographs of their property and reviews from previous guests who have stayed there, so you can get an idea of what kind of accommodation it is before booking it yourself.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a great place to find affordable furnished apartments and travel nurse housing for rent. You can also check out other classified ads sites such as Backpage, Kijiji, and Gumtree for more options.
Furnished Finder
Furnished Finder is another excellent resource for finding an apartment or house that's already furnished with all the amenities you need. This site has listings from across the country and can help you find exactly what you're looking for at a price that fits your budget.
Explore Facebook Marketplace too!
You might be surprised by how many people are renting their homes, which can help to find the right travel nurse housing.
Homestay.com
One good resource for finding affordable travel nurse housing is housestay.com. This website has listings for available rooms in homes across the country for people who are looking for roommates.
You can search by location and get an idea of what kind of room will fit your budget before making any commitments.
Zumper
This site lets you search for apartments by city or neighborhood and filter by price range, amenities (like parking or laundry), number of bedrooms, and more. It also has reviews from previous renters—which is always helpful when finding suitable housing!
3. Find The Location Near Your Work
Location is an essential factor in finding traveling nurses housing for your travel nurse position.
You want to be close enough to work, so you don't waste time commuting, but far enough away that you can find affordable housing that fits your budget and meets your needs.
If you're working at a hospital, consider looking for apartments near the hospital instead of trying to find them in the city center or downtown area, where there are more expensive options available.
4. Look At The Neighborhood
The quality of the neighborhood where your rental property is significantly located impacts how safe your stay will be.
You want to make sure that any apartments or houses that you consider are well maintained and clean, with plenty of parking available nearby and good access to public transportation options if needed (like buses and trains).
5. Ask About Utilities Included In The Rent
Utilities are one of the most significant expenses for renters; they include electricity, water, and gas.
Some landlords include these costs in their rental price, while others charge individually based on usage (which can be hard to track).
Ask about this before signing anything official!
6. Consider Short-term Rentals As An Alternative To Hotels And Apartments
If you don't want to commit long-term to a place, consider short-term rentals like Airbnb or HomeAway/VRBO as an alternative to hotels and apartments.
Many owners use these sites when they are out of town, so they can make some extra cash from their homes while they're away.
If the owner has good reviews from other travelers, this could be an excellent way for both parties to save money!
7. Check For Pet Policies
Some travel nurse housing agencies allow pets, but others do not allow them at all.
If you have a pet, it is essential that you get a property where pets are allowed because it will be difficult for you to find a new home if your current property does not allow pets in the community or area where it is located.
You should also check what pet fees are charged by different properties because these fees vary from one property to another depending on their terms and conditions.
8. Avoid Scams
There are many people who will try to scam you by offering travel nurse housing services without any real estate license or experience.
They may offer you a room that doesn't exist or charge a deposit without providing any documents regarding the property.
Make sure to check out the reviews before signing up with anyone. If possible, ask for references from previous clients and make sure they are legitimate ones.
Do Travel Nurses Get Free Housing?
Yes, many travel nurses get free housing. Most agencies will offer free travel nurse housing to their nurses.
It's usually a room in a shared apartment or house. The rest of your expenses are covered as well, including food and transportation.
Housing stipends are often paid out in the form of an hourly rate or daily rate, although some employers offer lump-sum payments.
It’s up to employers to decide whether they want to reimburse travel nurses for housing costs or provide them with free housing.
Ending Thoughts
When you're traveling, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of your new adventure. But don't forget to take the time to find an apartment that will make your stay comfortable and enjoyable!
If you follow these steps and consider the advice we've provided, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect travel nurse housing for your next adventure.
FAQs
How Does Travel Nurse Housing Work?
Travel nurse housing is an option for travel nurses who do not have a permanent living situation.
Most travel nursing companies offer this service, which is handy when moving from assignment to assignment.
The housing is usually furnished, so you can focus on work and enjoy your free time.
Can Travel Nurses Buy a House?
The short answer is yes. But it will be very difficult and expensive.
Travel nurses are usually paid by the hour or by the shift, so they have a limited time frame in which to make their money. That means they need to spend as little time as possible in one place and move on to another location as soon as possible.
Because of this, most travel nurses don't settle in one place for more than a few weeks at a time. This makes buying a house difficult because it's hard for lenders to verify your income when it's not consistent or steady.
Where Do Travel Nurses Look For Housing?
Travel nurses are often unfamiliar with the area they're working in, so they look for housing where they can easily find it.
Many look at apartment listing websites like Craigslist and Apartment Guide, which allow them to search by location and amenities.
Some use other services that specialize in connecting tenants with landlords. Zumper is a popular option, as is RentHackr.
The best way to find a place to live as a travel nurse is to ask your recruiter or agency about their preferred housing options.
Where Do Most Travel Nurses Live?
Most travel nurses live in agency-placed housing. This is because most travelers are on temporary assignments and need to move around frequently.
The agency will help find you housing in the area you'll be working, so all you have to do is show up with your bags ready for the move!
