Extended stay hotels?

[kc87t, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I'm starting my first travel assignment the end of October and had originally planned to take the housing the company offered, let them set everything up, etc. But, with more research I've learned that I can pocket a whole lot more money if I set up my own housing and take their stipend. I've read that a lot of people do the same. My question is...where do you find temporary housing? I've heard of extended stay hotels but can't seem to find a whole lot of options. Has anyone stayed with a particular chain of hotels that has reasonable extended stay housing? I'm really not picky at all about housing...its just me, no kids, pets, etc. I'm just curious as to where everyone finds their own housing. Thanks so much for the input!

[snuggles49]

Candlewood.....the ones I have stayed at have a kithchen area with full frig, cooktop, dishwasher, microwave, cupboards with all the dishes and pots and pans you will need. The bed was decent, room clean. Cost around $100.00 per noc..you may be able to get a better deal as a travler I am not sure...worth a try. Good luck

[smurfynursey]

Extended stay america is what my first two "apartments" were. See if they can give you the LTL program price. I was in one in tampa and the boston are and loved them

[smurfynursey]

Also americas best value inn, but they arent as nice and are rather scuzzy in some areas

[BluntForceTrauma]

Candlewood Suites are very nice....just like the poster above mentioned. Don't forget the free laundry, wi-fi and cable. They also have a mimi store inside called the Cupboard that sells a little bit of everything from meds to food, which you can just charge to your room..

[Sage1111]

You can negotiate with the hotel manager to get a good rate. I told them I was a travel nurse working at the local hospital for 13 weeks and I had a limited expense account. She dropped her lowest possible rate by $7.00 per day! That being said, I find the company housing, one-bedroom furnished apartment really nice to come home to after a bad shift. More comfy and,well, homey...

[NedRN]

I've looked at extended stay hotels and never was tempted. Even the low rent ones were more than I wanted to pay. Craigslist is your friend in most places. I'm OK with shared housing or outright rentals (fully furnished preferred). I've discovered that travel nurses usually have a good reputation and are desirable tenants except the short term nature of our stay. People know we make good money and can pay. Posting your own ad under housing wanted often gets great spots that are not advertised.

I can't tell you how many memorable places I've found prospecting on my own, even before Craigslist became widespread. Newspaper and free paper ads, college message boards and housing departments, and occasionally like right now, local property management companies. I'm in Northern California and found a furnished 3 bed 3 bath condo with a two car garage for $1,200 a month (estate transition) which I promptly split with another traveler. Only three blocks from the hospital and three blocks from a Safeway. A good bit of the time I've done shared housing with excellent results. That is not for everyone though, but having a shared place also means furnished which is a huge benefit.

[kc87t, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

So after checking out Craigslist I saw an add for this website...I KNEW something like this had to exist, I just couldn't find it right away. But, I wanted to share with other travelers looking for housing. http://www.airbnb.com -- PERFECT idea! Has anyone ever used this before?

[NedRN]

AirBnB is great. At least for a hotel replacement. It is not really designed for month long or more stays. I've never tried it myself, but have heard really good stories, and a few bad ones (like any other method of finding housing). It is also linked on PanTravelers along with a number of other housing resources suggested just for travelers.

There are at least two companies now that specialize in finding traveler housing - mostly to agencies, but they are open to travelers as well. That is probably a great way to get turn-key housing just about anywhere. Has to be better and less expensive than extended stay hotels!

[rowdynun]

I've used airbnb. I've rented from a single woman (disaster) and taken their stipends and their housing. Mostly I check VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner. Vacation rentals all over the world. I've loved them. I'm currently in Alaska with a 2 bedroom town home with a car rental included. As travel nurses, always contact them and explain your situation and negotiate. They are always nice and fully furnished with lots of pictures and descriptions. And I travel alone, so it's been a sweet deal.

[kc87t, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Thanks so much for the input. I'm taking the company housing just for this first assignment (one less thing to worry about). I'd like to get my feet wet and figure out all the ins and outs of traveling and not have to get the housing situated right away. But now I definitely have enough resources to find my own for the next assignments to come. Thanks so much!