Travel Nurse Housing
One of the biggest obstacles when you lock-down a contract is finding housing near your new work site. This is more times than not a very stressful situation. Of course, if you know someone in a city you're traveling to and can capitalize on the entire housing stipend, more power to you. But for most of us the questions that immediately come to mind are:
What's my budget?
Can I live symbiotically with a stranger to cut costs?
Do I opt for my own place and spend more for comfort?
Do I look for a fully furnished place or live like a minimalist after snagging some bare bones necessities from Goodwill?
Does this place allow pets?
Does this listing look too good to be true?
What are the reviews for this place?
These are all questions that race through my head every 3 months when I pick up a new contract. Ideally, you want to secure that contract before you start looking. Sign the dotted line, then hit the web for a new place. Here are some go-to's of mine for short term housing:
Facebook.com/marketplace/
Zillow.com - Make sure to categorize rentals "short-term" in the keywords
Always try and find reviews of some sort. Check the local crime reports for the area you've selected and determine if it's a safe choice. Some agencies will actually cover your move in costs upfront (i.e. first months rent/deposits/pet fees) and deduct the monthly expenses from your paychecks each week, so make sure to ask. Always be skeptical when browsing these sites, especially craigslist. Ask a bunch of questions. If you're moving to the southwest during the winter months, INQUIRE ABOUT AIR CONDITIONING! Some rentals do not utilize AC in the winter and I had to find out the hard way.
If you've got any other questions, feel free to shoot me an email and I'd be happy to answer to the best of my ability!