Travel Therapy Housing Guide

Take the Stipend (Most Travelers Do)

The majority of experienced travelers take the housing stipend and find their own housing. Why? You can usually find housing for less than your stipend amount — pocketing the tax-free difference. A typical traveler saves $400-$800/month by finding their own housing vs. taking agency-provided housing.

Where to Search

Furnished Finder — built specifically for traveling healthcare workers. Landlords understand 13-week leases. The best first stop for any search.

Airbnb — negotiate monthly rates with hosts. Mention you're a healthcare professional. Many hosts offer 30-50% discounts for monthly stays.

Facebook Groups — search "[city] travel nurse housing" or "[city] furnished rentals." Often has listings not found elsewhere.

Craigslist/Local Listings — sublets, rooms for rent, and month-to-month furnished options.

Ask Coworkers — facilities that use travelers regularly have institutional knowledge about where previous travelers stayed.

Agency-Provided Housing

Your agency can arrange housing for you — convenient but it comes out of your pay package. The housing they provide is often more expensive than what you'd find yourself. Best for: first-time travelers who want to reduce stress, or assignments in remote areas where self-finding is difficult.

Your housing stipend is based on GSA per diem rates for your assignment location. The key insight: you keep whatever you don't spend. If your stipend is $2,200/month and you find a furnished room for $1,200/month, you pocket $1,000/month tax-free — $3,000 over a 13-week contract.

Strategies that maximize your pocket: share housing with another traveler (split a 2BR), find a room in a house instead of a full apartment, look in adjacent neighborhoods/suburbs where rent is lower, negotiate monthly rates on Airbnb or with private landlords.

4 weeks before start: Begin searching Furnished Finder and Airbnb. Set price alerts.

3 weeks before: Reach out to top 3-5 options. Ask about 13-week availability and pricing.

2 weeks before: Book your housing. Or book just the first 1-2 weeks (Airbnb/hotel) and plan to scout in person.

1 week before: Confirm move-in details. Plan your route/travel.

Arrival: Arrive 1-2 days early to settle in before your first day.

Don't sign a 13-week lease before confirming your contract is solid. Start month-to-month or with a 30-day out clause in case of cancellation.

Take photos of everything at move-in. Document the condition to protect your security deposit.

Bring your own bedding. Furnished rentals often have mediocre sheets and pillows. Your own bedding makes anywhere feel more like home.

Check for washer/dryer access. In-unit is ideal; on-site is fine; off-site laundromat gets old fast on a 13-week stay.

Prioritize proximity to work. A 10-minute commute vs. 35 minutes is 4+ hours per week of your life. The slightly more expensive apartment near work is often worth it.