One of the biggest benefits of travel nursing is having your housing paid for! Whether your priority is comfort, being close to work, or saving as much cash as possible, here are 10 tips to get the most from your travel nurse housing options.
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Top 10 Housing Tips for Travel Nurses
Finding the right travel nurse housing matters! The wrong choice can leave you tired, unfocused, and stressed out, while a great place can make even an ordinary assignment an unforgettable, life-changing experience (and save you money, too).
So, don’t leave it to chance! Travel nursing assignments are usually 13 weeks, or about three months. That’s a long time to be somewhere, and that makes it important to find the right living situation. Here are 10 tips for getting it right.
1. Consider agency housing
Travel nursing agencies usually provide housing options. And if it’s your first assignment, consider taking them up on it. It’ll give you one less thing to worry about, so you can focus on getting the most from your first travel experience.
Agency-provided housing usually provides all the basics. They’re typically furnished apartments or extended-stay hotels with utilities included, available for exactly the right amount of time, and close to where you’ll be working — sometimes with a company shuttle included. The process is also designed to be simple, with no deposits or upfront costs.
2. Use stipends to pay for your own housing
On the other hand, your options with agency-provided housing may be limited. So, experienced travelers often prefer to find their own accommodation, using their housing stipend to cover the costs. If you travel for the adventure, finding your own housing can be a great way to immerse yourself in a location.
3. Save money with shared spaces
For many travel nurses, the goal is to earn as much as you can — and that means spending as little as possible and keeping what’s left over in your stipend.
Shared housing — for instance, renting a room in a house instead of getting your own private apartment — is a great way to do that. You can also buddy up with another nurse to share expenses, and have a built-in travel companion, too. (You can even earn an extra bonus for referring a friend to a job.)
4. Make a wish list
Make searching for a place easier by figuring out your priorities with some key questions — for instance, do you want:
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Luxury or affordability?
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A quiet neighborhood, or somewhere lively?
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Parking, or proximity to a transit stop?
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A pet-friendly space?
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Fast Wi-Fi?
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A pool or gym in your building (or close to it)?
And remember, unless you plan on driving a U-Haul to every assignment, furnished housing is essential!
5. Calculate your budget & expenses
There’s more to your budget than rent. You may also need to factor in utilities, parking fees, Wi-Fi, deposits, renter's insurance, and application fees. And don’t forget the money you spend on decorations, cleaning supplies, and additional furnishings. These add up fast, so make sure they’re part of your budget.
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Pro tip: Make sure utilities are included to save cash and make budgeting easier
6. Be ready for taxes
Housing stipends are usually tax free — but that might depend on where your primary residence is, so check with an accountant first. And always keep detailed records of expenses — not just rent but also utilities, parking, and the money you spend on transportation (including gas).
7. Know where to find short-term rentals
Unless your travel job is just the prelude to a permanent move, it’s essential to find short-term housing that matches the length of your assignment. Luckily, there are tons of options, including some that cater exclusively to travel nurses — meaning they’re available for just a few months, as opposed to traditional apartment leases, which are usually at least six months.
Some of the best options include: Furnished Finder, Airbnb, VRBO, Vidle Housing, RotatingRoom, Facebook Groups, Craigslist, Booking.com, and Expedia.
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Pro tip: Join travel nursing groups on Facebook or other social media sites to find tips from other nurses on where they've stayed.
8. Mix n’ match
If you can’t decide on a place — or you thrive on variety — another option is to switch things up. For instance, you can stay in a hotel when you first arrive for some pampering (or access to a pool or gym), then switch to an apartment for the rest of your assignment.
Or, if you’re traveling where you have friends or family, you can stay with them for a weekend or two before moving into your place.
9. Read the fine print & watch out for scams
Never make any assumptions! Read the fine print and get everything in writing, including the lease. Read the reviews, and Google the property to make sure it’s not a scam — if there are no reviews, it’s probably better to pass.
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Pro tip: Take pictures of the place when you arrive in case there are any issues with getting your deposit back.
10. Plan ahead & book early!
Remember, the early bird gets the best deals! The best places tend to book up well ahead of time, so the earlier you can arrange your housing, the better. Start searching as soon as you accept an assignment — or even better, before you book it, to make sure the location has the kind of housing you want.
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Pro tip: Find a few backup options in case your first choice doesn't work out.
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Whatever type of travel nurse housing you choose, you’ll find the best career opportunities with HealthTrust! See what's available now: Search travel jobs here.
