Whether you’re trying to trim costs or soak in more of the local culture, choosing your own travel nurse housing offers its own allures. Let’s take a closer look at six tips and tricks for finding a top-notch place to live on your next travel nursing assignment.
1. Where To Look
Searching for an apartment in a different city can be a challenge: how do you even know where to start? The internet offers a valuable solution for travel nurses in search of short-term housing.
Craigslist is helpful, but does come with some safety concerns. Be wary of listings which seem too good to be true, require significant upfront payment and/or money wired to a different country, and property managers who will only communicate via email.
Airbnb is a relatively new entrant on the vacation and short-term rental housing scene. Not only are property owners fully vetted, but this reliable site also includes thorough property descriptions, photos, and reviews.
2. Think Outside the (Beige) Box
Many travel nurses enjoy the ease and convenience of extended stay hotels, which offer apartment-style living with hotel amenities, such as free hot breakfast daily and room cleaning services. While discount rates can sometimes be found on sites like Kayak and Priceline, many veteran long-term travel nurses tout the benefits of calling the hotel directly to find out about special pricing.
Even better? Many extended stay hotels also offer loyalty rewards programs for frequent guests, so you can enjoy perks like upgrades, discounts, and fun freebies.
3, Neighborhood Know-How
Wondering whether a potential housing contender is in decent condition or in a safe neighborhood? The internet is your friend when it comes to these details. Visit websites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and ApartmentRatings, taking care to discount anything that’s more than a year old.
Google Maps and NeighborhoodScout are effective ways to get a feel for a building, its surrounding areas, and local crime rates.
4. Don’t Forget About Upfront Payments
Your agency covers any upfront payments when you opt for company housing, But when you arrange for your own housing, you assume this responsibility. When deciding to choose your own housing, don’t forget to set aside funds for a security deposit and any other upfront costs.
5. Go For All-Inclusive
Fully furnished all-inclusive options and extended-stay hotels are the simplest, most stress-free accommodations options. However, this is not always possible. If you do have to make your own furniture rental arrangements, your agency recruiter or housing department can help connect you with reputable vendors.
6. And Speaking of Your Recruiter…
Remember: he/she is there to help! Just because you’ve opted to find your own housing doesn’t means you can’t still call on the assistance of your travel nursing agency. Along with your recruiter, most agencies also have housing specialists whose job is to know the ins and outs of dealing with housing issues. Most will be happy to share their knowledge with you.
While finding your own housing is a valid choice, it comes with a own unique set of considerations. These tips can help you find the very best travel nurse housing on your next assignment. Have any useful tips of your own? If so, please share them in the Comments section below.
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