How to find housing?

NedRN · Nov 28, 2013

I saw quite a number of apartments listed on Craiglist for Greenwich. You didn't say how you looked to avoid repeating the same method. I think going to NYC is unlikely to produce financial or commuting benefits - you would have to treat the location as an expensive benefit. Better would be to look at nearby communities on the commuter line in CT. I would also recommend posting an ad on Craiglists - travel nurses are highly desirable tenants - and something suitable may be offered that otherwise is not posted. Consider also a houseshare. Could end up being highly suitable even for your daughter. Houseshares usually avoid all the hassle with finding furniture and utilities and are usually much cheaper (and often more space than an apartment rental).

You can also try sublet and vrbo dot com. Travelers Haven and Med Temp Housing specialize in short term medical housing, in fact perhaps most agencies utilize their services.

Of course you can always bail and let your agency handle it. But you can always ask them where they were going to house them and see if you can do better by doing the same place with your stipend.

NomadERNurse · Dec 8, 2013

I just want to say be careful with Craigslist. Just like with everything else on there...you don't know what you are getting into. It's very difficult to find housing on your own when your looking for a short term lease. I have found in my travels that finding my own housing is just not worth the hassle.

NedRN · Dec 8, 2013

I'm not sure what the issue might be with Craigslist specifically, it has just replaced newspaper classifieds. It sure beats the old way of (if you are lucky) going to the library to look at a newspaper for a city on the other side of the country. I don't see that this or any other way of advertising means you have to take any particular caution. When you go to look at a place whether from a private party or a property management company found through Craigslist or any other way, of course you will be performing due diligence to see if the property is a good value and the parties involved appear to be trustworthy.

Of course it is difficult to find housing on your own under any circumstances, traveling or perm. But the rewards are great, and letting the agency do the footwork cuts you out of the due diligence part. You hear plenty of horror stories about agency provided housing - part of the problem is that unlike you, they cannot see the property or meet the parties involved. Each to their own of course, but when you figure out the benefits of taking the housing stipend, finding housing, and pocketing the difference, it can really add up (over 17 years for me personally). But it is certainly luxurious to just show up and be handed the key to a furnished apartment with no hassles (if the apartment is OK of course).

aamy · Dec 17, 2013

I let my agency find housing for my 1st assignment. First, because it was already stressful enough. Second, because I was in an area that did not offer short-term housing. The apartments that the agency contracted with would not take my dog (he was on the restricted breed list), so I ended up in an extended stay hotel (which, by the way, makes for a long 13 week contract). I lucked up on my current assignment because it is in a vacation spot, so I took the housing stipend and found my own housing.

napalmer927 · Jan 4, 2014

I have started looking at staying in Bed and Breakfasts first when I am trying to find housing for a travel assignment. It's furnished, usually comes with maid service, you get a few free meals a week at least, and you don't really have to deal with roommates like on Craigslist. It costs a little bit more, but I am still able to find places for less than my housing stipend. Sometimes half, and I think it's worth it. Even if the cheapest room a B&B has is listed at $100/night, they usually give discounts for longer stays, sometimes up to 2/3 off, especially if it's not tourist season. You can find listings on TripAdvisor or by calling the local Chamber of Commerce.