Top Ten Picks for a Place to Call Home

Travel nurse guide to temporary housing

There’s nothing quite like the feeling when you are about to set out on an assignment in a city you have always imagined visiting. But the truth is, you aren’t just visiting.  As a travel nurse, your assignments span several weeks and your stay is more than a mere vacation. You need to find a place that feels like home and gives you comfort and security after a demanding workday.

Getting Started

Chances are, you are working within a budget based on your housing stipend. Also, keep in mind that rental agreements vary. It’s best to read all of the fine print to fully understand your financial obligations regarding minimum stay, late penalties, fees for utilities, pet deposit and fees, as well as cleaning fees upon move out. Be sure to also consider the security deposit, background check fees, booking fee and possible guest fees to accurately calculate the total cost of your entire stay.

What’s more, you need to create a check list of the must haves, nice to have, and things you can live without. For example, most travel nurses choose furnished housing. This alleviates the cost and hassle of moving large items on a regular basis. With that in mind, what exactly will you bring to your new home? Here’s a brief list to get you started on what to consider in your new place. Does the rental offer:

• Major appliances
• Small appliances (microwave, coffee maker, toaster, blender)
• Kitchenware (pots, pans, cooking utensils, silverware)
• Bedding/linens
• Towels
• Hairdryer
• Paper products (paper towels, tissues, toilet paper)
• Television with cable or streaming service
• Internet with WiFi
• Washer and dryer (in the unit or on-site)
• Parking (covered, assigned, free or fee)
• Security (gate, doorman, alarm system)
• Thermostat control (tenant or landlord?)
• Pet policy (deposit and extra cleaning fees)
• Contact free check in

Top Picks for Temporary Housing

To get you started on your search, Go Healthcare Staffing has compiled a list of popular housing resources for travel nurses. While we can’t make any guarantees or formally endorse these companies, they are very widely used by our industry. Be sure to do your own research, evaluate listings carefully and check out user reviews to make an informed choice.

Most of these sites have both an app and website featuring robust search capabilities. Many also offer Facebook and social media listings which often include the most recent listings and user insights. Simply search, book, and enjoy your stay!

1. Airbnb (Airbnb.com) 

Airbnb includes 4 million hosts who have welcomed more than one billion guest arrivals. All messaging is done through the platform designed to protect both host and traveler. Listings offer everything from single room rentals to elaborate escape properties. AirCover is comprehensive protection for Airbnb guests, included for free with every booking. It includes protection from Host cancellations, listing inaccuracies, and other issues like trouble checking in, as well as a 24-hour Safety Line. Travelers can just plug in dates, location, and number of guests, and explore options. 

• Apartments.com 

Apartments.com is the leading online apartment listing website, offering renters access to information on more than 1,000,000 available units for rent. The Apartments.com network of sites includes Apartments.com, ApartmentFinder.com, ApartmentHomeLiving.com, Apartamentos.com, WestsideRentals.com, ForRent.com, ForRentUniversity.com, After55.com and CorporateHousing.com. Apartments.com offers short term rentals and innovative features including a drawing tool that allows users to define their own search areas on a map, and a “Travel Time” feature that lets travelers search for rentals in proximity to a specific hospital address.

• FurnishedFinder.com 

Serving over 40,000 travelers per day with more than 120,000 property listings, over 70 million housing searches and 180 million-page views per year; Furnished Finder with its sister site Travel Nurse Housing (www.travelnursehousing.com) has created the largest network for travel nurse and professional short-term housing. Travelers can search based on max rental budget in a desired location. All rentals are furnished and if you can’t find something, you can submit a housing request.  Every host must pass a background check before listing their properties, making this a safer and affordable option for travelers.

• HomeStay.com 

Homestay.com is a global accommodation booking website for travelers seeking a real and genuine experience in a new town. It allows you to book a room within another person’s home, no accommodations are vacant rentals. This personal touch means that a host is always there to welcome travelers into the home, offer guidance, and any needed assistance during the stay. Travelers get to meet the people from the community and enjoy a genuinely local experience.

• HouseStay.com

HouseStay.com offers reliable and turnkey travel nurse housing for 30 nights or more. All listings are fully furnished, include utilities, showcase many photos, and pass a home inspection. The platform boasts real-time pricing and availability so travelers don’t have to worry about hidden costs. HouseStay also physically checks properties to ensure every home listed meets the quality standard.

• ShortTermHousing.com

ShortTermHousing.com is a short-term furnished housing company that has listings especially for travel nurses and healthcare professionals nationwide. It only promotes entire housing (no rooms or roommates) for temporary nursing staff, regardless of the location, duration, or budget. It currently has over 30,000 rentals in more than 6,000 cities and specifically selects locations close to medical centers to offer unmatched convenience to healthcare professionals. Once you select a place to stay, ShortTermHousing staff handle the lease and deposit, as well as schedule move-in and move-out dates, making the process as easy as possible.

• Travelers Haven (www.travelershaven.com)

Travelers Haven helps travel nurses and healthcare professionals secure accommodations in the right location, at the right time, for the best price. Listings offer flexible lease terms, 24/7 support, and an easy-to-use portal to stay connected with on-demand housing options. The Travelers Haven team handles the bills, booking fees, payments, furnishings, and everything else. Helping travelers get a fantastic short-term rental with a simple monthly bill that’s easy to pay (especially if you have a housing stipend and need to keep detailed records) is their goal.

• Tripping.com

Tripping.com is a website that allows travelers to search for various types of accommodations, such as hotels, RV parks, and room rental services. travelers can browse through listings by location or category, and make reservations directly via the website.

• VRBO 

VRBO, or Vacation Rental By Owner (www.vrbo.com), is a popular site for travel nurses to find housing options. Don’t let the term “vacation” fool you, options include short-term and long-term rentals as well as more than two million bookable listings for houses, apartments, condos, and more. VRBO offers 24/7 customer support, a well-designed and easy to use website, and is committed to safety and security.

1. Zeus (www.zeusliving.com)

Zeus prides itself on homes that offer consistent standards of quality, cleanliness, comfort, and support. Your home comes tastefully furnished along with the essentials you need—from premium mattresses and linens to kitchen equipment, TVs, WiFi and utilities. Zeus provides on-call support for repairs and regular cleaning services are available. Travelers also enjoy the convenience of payment consolidation that includes utilities ala cart or fixed fees based on your lease agreement. All properties feature a 3D tour. The Zeus guarantee ensures the home matches the description, photos, and 3D tour advertised, or they vow to make it right.

Additional Advice

Facebook groups can be an incredible resource for temporary housing. It can also be a good way for travelers to save money by working directly with the property owners. However, travelers should always exercise caution whenever exchanging information with anyone found on Facebook. These “private” hosts are not vetted or background checked. There is also no company backing up their claims or offering a guarantee on your booking. Be vigilant about sharing personal information or payment methods over Facebook.

Craigslist is notorious for poor security, scammers, fake users, bogus posts and other issues. There is barely any moderation on the site and minimal authenticity. Reviews also suggest that Craigslist support will be scarce if you encounter an issue. Consider avoiding this site in lieu of more secure and reliable options.

The team at Go Healthcare Staffing also recommends travelers consider renters insurance. A simple web search will return many affordable options from reputable firms for insurance policies that protect your personal belongings. This is especially helpful if you travel with computers, laptops, expensive electronics, etc. and you want protection from fire or theft. You may also want to explore insurance options that protect you if you accidentally damage the rental unit or the furnishings. Look for good value coverage and a deductible that works best for you.

Your Go Healthcare team is ready to help you secure your next dream assignment. Let our experienced professionals find you the perfect job in the perfect city. And, we hope this article helps you find the perfect place to call home.