Where Do Travel Nurses Stay? Your Ultimate Housing Guide

Becoming a travel nurse can give you a chance to see the country and explore new places. The question is, where do travel nurses stay while they are hundreds of miles from home? Do they rent an Airbnb, lease a condo, hunker down at extended-stay hotels, or rent an apartment?

Indeed, all of the above are common travel nurse housing sites popular among wanderlust-filled healthcare workers. It’s important to weigh all of these options so you can enjoy peace of mind during your assignment.

How, then, do traveling nurses find housing, and where do they stay? Our exploration of housing options will help healthcare professionals like you find a safe place to live during your travel assignment so you can rest up and recharge before each shift.

Where Do Travel Nurses Stay?

Where do traveling nurses stay? There aren’t any one-size-fits-all answers. Instead, healthcare professionals choose solutions that align with their preferences, budgets, and contract lengths. Some popular choices include:

Agency-Provided Housing Assistance

One of the most common and convenient solutions is agency housing. When you go with this option, your recruiter finds and secures travel nurse housing sites for you. This allows you to focus on preparing for your move, obtaining licensure for the new state, and focusing on the next steps in your travel nursing journey.

The agency will likely pay for your housing as part of your contract terms. They will usually place you in extended-stay hotels, apartments, or rental properties with short-term leases. The advantage of this option is that you don’t have to worry about the logistics of finding a place or dealing with leases. However, you also don’t have complete control over where you stay.

As a client-centered travel nurse agency, GHR takes a more nuanced approach. Our recruiters offer help with your housing search.

We use our nationwide partnerships with property owners and hotels to help you secure temporary housing. Our collaborative efforts give you the final say over your short-term housing arrangements while simplifying the search for suitable accommodations.

Stipend Housing

Agencies like GHR negotiate with employers to help our recruits obtain housing stipends. While these stipends aren’t a standard part of every job opportunity, they are something we fight for during negotiations to help mitigate your housing costs while on an assignment. The stipend amount varies by location and is set in accordance with the cost of living in each area.

A travel nurse housing stipend gives you the freedom to choose where you live. You receive a set amount of money from your agency to spend on rent and utilities. If you find housing that costs less than the stipend, you can pocket the difference, making this an attractive option for budget-savvy nurses.

The primary appeal of stipends is flexibility. You can choose a place that perfectly suits your lifestyle. You could also find roommates who share your travel assignment and split housing costs to put part of the stipend back in your pocket. However, you’ll be responsible for negotiating lease terms and managing all aspects of your housing arrangement.

Short-Term Rentals

Thanks to platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and others, short-term rentals have become increasingly popular among travel nurses. These platforms offer affordable housing and flexible terms, allowing you to avoid the hassle of leases. You’ll also enjoy the comforts of home and can find a rental to suit just about any lifestyle.

Before settling on a rental, consider factors like proximity to your workplace and the safety of the neighborhood. Always read reviews from previous guests as well to get a sense of what to expect. If you believe that you and the property manager will be unable to see eye-to-eye, it’s best to explore other options.

How Do Travel Nurses Find Housing?

How do traveling nurses find housing? Here are a few tactics they use:

Leveraging Their Staffing Agency

Top staffing agencies like GHR help jobseekers find travel nurse housing options. We have established relationships with property owners, major hotel chains like Extended Stay America, and other entities that can accommodate your living needs. We also provide support throughout the housing search process.

Related Reading: The Complete Guide to Starting Your First Healthcare Travel Assignment

Online Resources and Listings

There are many great websites out there that allow you to search for housing independently. You can target specific cities (e.g., New York), filter housing options by amenities and flexibility, search for pet-friendly accommodations, and sort results by budget.

Some of the top platforms out there include Zillow and Apartments.com. Furnished Finder is another mid-term rental platform that is a go-to choice for traveling professionals.

Networking and Recommendations

If you’ve been traveling for a while or know other nurses who have, reach out to them for recommendations. They can provide travel insights and support to help you find the ideal accommodations based on your lifestyle and personal preferences.

You can also tap into GHR’s network. We’ll be able to connect you with travel nurses who have recently worked in the area you are relocating to. Your recruiter will be with you every step of the way, ensuring you find safe housing that meets your budget and lifestyle needs.

3 Considerations for Travel Nurse Housing

Before taking a travel nurse job, you’ll need to consider your housing needs. Here are a few variables that come into play:

1. Location and Proximity

One of the first elements to consider is location. While you don’t need to live across the street from your workplace, you should choose housing that is relatively close. After all, you don’t want to endure a long commute every day, especially if you plan on using public transportation.

After you’ve decided how close you want to be to your workplace, consider your proximity to amenities like grocery stores and recreational areas. Choose a distance that fits your lifestyle and transportation requirements. Research the neighborhood to ensure it meets your needs for convenience and safety, too.

2. Budget and Cost Management

Housing represents one of the largest expenses for travel nurses, so it’s important to budget carefully. Factor in all costs, including rent, utilities, and any additional fees. Find out how much your stipend will be and consider whether you’ll have any residual expenses.

While it’s important to stick to your budget, don’t sacrifice comfort and safety. That’s where the stipend becomes especially valuable. You can use it to cover the majority of your housing costs and pay the difference to keep yourself comfortable in your accommodations.

3. Safety and Comfort

Safety should be a top priority when you’re choosing housing. Research the crime rate in the area and check for secure building access. Look for properties with good lighting and secure locks as well. Always trust your instincts when evaluating a property. If something feels off, it probably is.

Dos and Don’ts for Travel Nurse Housing

Here are a few dos and don’ts to aid in your search for housing before your next travel assignment.

Dos

Before you commit to any long-term stays, make sure that you:

• Research all aspects of potential housing options
• Keep track of all contracts, leases, and communications with housing providers
• Be honest about your needs and expectations

Let the landlord or property owner know that you are looking for short-term housing. Transparency will help you find accommodations that are a good fit for your needs.

Don’ts

Make sure that you don’t:

1. Sign a long-term lease with hefty cancellation fees
2. Choose housing based solely on pricing
3. Rush to find accommodations without doing your homework

The last thing you want is to find yourself locked into a long-term lease or paying for housing in an unsafe neighborhood. Be diligent and thoroughly research any housing opportunities before signing a contract.

Plan Ahead and Take the Stress Out of Travel Nurse Housing

Don’t wait until the last minute to get ready for your travel nurse assignment. Prepare for your interview, research the city you’ll be staying in, and work with your recruiter to find a vacation rental or other housing option that meets your needs.