What do you look for in Housing ?

[whitmanearth]

Hi, I am transitioning from my hospital job to travel nursing here in the next couple months. I will be moving to a new city and I would love to hear other travel nurses' experiences/preferences.

What do you look for in a housing situation? Do you prefer a studio? Or a room in a house with other people? Whats the most important factor in renting a place -- how close it is to the worksite? Or to fun things?

Lastly, whats your best way to find housing? Airbnb? Craiglist? The agency? Other people at the hospital?

Thanks for you advice!

Laura

[NedRN]

I prefer to commute by bicycle so location is really important. Next I like low cost and convenience so a roommate situation is really good for me - furnished and utilities turned on. Obviously both those factors are highly personal. But I cannot always find a decent roommate situation, and sometimes just get a bare apartment and have to furnish it myself and deal with utilities.

Craigslist is always my first choice, never had AirBnB or VRBO work out for assignment housing. Travelers are a desirable roommate or lessee, as we are pretty responsible and finances are not an issue (a landlord's biggest headache). When you look at CL's housing available, you will often see ads headlined by "perfect for travel nurses". I usually post my own housing wanted ad on Craigslist and that usually results in great leads that are never otherwise advertised.

I will usually have half a dozen places to look at before I arrive at an assignment location and come a few days before assignment starts. If unlucky, I'll sleep in my car a couple nights. Yes, sometimes the hospital will have an employee notice board, or the staffing office has a list of available housing (sometimes even their own housing) which the agency should know about but often doesn't.

Agency housing? I'd recommend it for a first assignment to reduce the hassle and risk should first assignment be a disaster (knock on wood). Probably most travelers these days do end up getting their own housing. Hassle, but more money in your pocket. You can go really cheap like me, or rather upscale. Most agencies don't even find their own housing anymore, but use third parties like Furnished Finders, Traveler's Haven, or Med Temp Housing. You can use those third parties yourself and often you can use your agency name for a small discount.

[whitmanearth]

Wow, this gives me everything I need to think about. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me. I really appreciate it and this will be invaluable moving forward!