Finding short-term housing is a notoriously stressful part of assignment preparation for travelers (both new and old).
Travel nursing has many benefits— with travel unsurprisingly being a frontrunner. Finding short-term housing is a notoriously stressful part of assignment preparation for travelers (both new and old). However, it doesn’t always have to be the source of headaches. Below, we’ve compiled some tips we think can soothe the ache of the house hunt for healthcare travelers.
1. Make a list of what matters to you
Take into consideration what matters to you most during assignments.
- Do you prefer to live in the middle of the action or want to find a cheaper, quieter abode on the outskirts?
- Would you like to live alone?
- How far would you commute for work and is a long commute a deal breaker for you?
- Do you care about décor?
- Do you like cooking for yourself and preparing meals, or do you prefer to order to-go meals?
- Will you be bringing any pets on the assignment with you?
- How much of your stipend do you want to use to pay rent? Do you want to spend more on luxury or spend less to use the saved funds for things like additional travel?
- What’s the cancellation policy? If you put a deposit down – is that also refundable?
- Are there extra charges for utilities, internet, and cable?
If these questions make you feel more overwhelmed, you can break it down even further. Make a list of five non-negotiables for your new place either utilizing the list above or creating your own criteria. That way you can narrow your options down to must-haves and bonus amenities as you might be looking for different things out of every assignment. Make sure you’re clear on the final cost before you agree to anything.
2. Do your homework on finding out what furnished entails
While every place is different, most furnished items mean a bedroom with a dresser, lamp, dining room table, and couch/chair is what you get. Microwaves and washers/dryers aren’t always included. Make sure you understand what you’re getting.
Additionally, just because an accommodation is “fully furnished”, it doesn’t always mean that the things included will fit your needs. Sometimes the basics are all you need, but don’t be afraid to keep quality in mind during your search. Here are a few things you can also do to ensure you’re getting what you want in a fully furnished home:
- Look for high-quality photos: no one likes to be catfished.
- Inspect cleanliness: If it’s possible to do an in-person or virtual walkthrough check the furniture for dirty stains and general griminess. That way you can be confident that the furniture has been cleaned since the last tenant.
3. Utilize stipend calculators
One common option when it comes to finding housing as a healthcare traveler is through a stipend. Think back to those questions posed in tip one: if you choose stipend compensation, you’re fully responsible for locating, booking, and paying for housing and related expenses. Therefore, a big headache saver can be using a stipend calculator that is sometimes connected to housing websites like Furnishedfinder.com. That way, you can allocate your funds accordingly to ensure you have more peace of mind when heading into each assignment.
4. Join traveler community groups
There are, of course, many sites to find traveler housing like the one mentioned above. Yet, like most things, reviews will always speak louder than listings. Never fear, traveler communities are always here. Several travel nurse housing groups on Facebook publish available rentals & allow you to post requests for accommodations. Those include:
- Gypsy Nurse
- Travel Nurses Housing
- Gypsy Choice
- Travel Nurse Housing Rentals
- Travel Nursing: Places for Rent
- Travel Nurse Housing by Travel Nurses
- Gypsy Soul: Travel Nurse Housing Options
5. Talk to your Blu Med recruiter
Remember that your Blu Med team is here to help. Your recruiter will have ideas of where past travelers have stayed in that city and can sometimes connect to other travelers for references. Talking to your recruiter is always a great first step to planning out your housing situation as you learn what you need, what you like, and what you can’t stand as you adjust to each new assignment.
Our goal as a healthcare staffing partner is to find assignments that energize and excite you— including finding you a space you’re happy to land in after a long day of work. Contact our team today to learn more about how Blu Med can help you in your healthcare traveler journey.
