Housing options while traveling

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What does everyone do for housing? The travel contracts I have done in the past I have taking the housing stipend because I have family in the area. I am thinking about taking a contract where I would need housing. I have 2 little dogs I would like to bring with me. I still would not be too far from home but far enough that I couldn't drive it everyday. I would like to have a home away from home type environment but not break the bank..Do you do weekly hotels? Airbnb? Get an apartment?

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Specializes in ICU, and IR.

Currently I have an apartment but be aware they are expensive when talking only 13 weeks. Even more so with dogs (they still collect deposits like they would if it was a year). Previously I used AirBNB. or Furnishedfinders or apartment-finder also there are lots of FB groups for travelers with housing options. I feel housing is the most difficult part of traveling. The more you save the better you feel about your assignment. I did really well in Louisville KY with housing using airbnb but not so well in Baltimore using an apartment complex that is killing me in cost. If you are willing to stay further out you can save more often.

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Specializes in ICU.

I hated the airbnbs. It felt like staying at a friends place you didn't really know that well. People kept way tooo much personalized items. I was uncomfortable at 2/3 placed I used. I do apartments only going forward. I need to be totally comfortable.

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When I traveled I called HR at the hospital I was going to and got the list of hotels they had discounted contracts with. I would go their for the first week and the longest two weeks as I took my time finding a place and location I would be happy with. I had excellent results taking my time and starting my assignment first and getting familiar with the area.

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

RV. I just hook up and leave when im done.

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There are quite a few sites you can use. Craigslist, by googling the town you are going with the words "temp housing". Many professional sites advertise there, and it's pretty easy to weed out the skeevy stuff. Hotpads.com also lists places, and you can ask via email for shorter leases. Also, I call local real estate agencies. Many also do property management, and can do shorter contracts. Off season tourist rentals are seriously prime places, as you tend to get the nice furnished places for the price of the mortgage and utilities. I did it with off season ski housing in Salt Lake City, and in seaside Maine (during winter- I had a mile long beach to myself). There are several house sitting sites if you don't mind background checks- some are longer term sits, and you need to love pets- but you save a ton of cash. Most house sits are in the really big cities, which enable you to move every 2-3 weeks if needed.

Edit-*also, a house sit is perfect at beginning of contract if you really want to look around and haven't found a place yet. Saves you a hotel bill while you look for longer term housing*

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There are several house sitting sites if you don't mind background checks- some are longer term sits, and you need to love pets- but you save a ton of cash. Most house sits are in the really big cities, which enable you to move every 2-3 weeks if needed.

Edit-*also, a house sit is perfect at beginning of contract if you really want to look around and haven't found a place yet. Saves you a hotel bill while you look for longer term housing*

How do you find opportunities for house sits, and do you have additional details?

Is it free rent in exchange for taking care of the place?

How do you win a total strangers trust to watch their home while they're away?

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Several sites. I've used trustedhousesitters.com (once) and housesittersamerica.com (twice). Several other sites work as well, and they have overseas sits available. It really depends on where you're going. My next spot doesn't have any sits at all in the state:( (very remote assignment in oil country).

99% of sits are because of pets or extensive gardens that need care (to avoid the HOA eating them alive, especially in Florida).

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I know I'm planning to do air BNB or room with other travelers. Anything to keep that extra money. It worked while we were in college seems to as a traveller. If you can do this you just need 3 people and you can rent apartments by the room. Especially if your hospital is in a college town. In Gainesville Florida for everything included it was 360 a month and that included cable with HBO and high speed internet

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