Moving is a complicated process even when it’s your dream home you’re moving to. But what about when you need someplace to live for a short period—say, under a year?
In that case, packing up your stuff is the least of your worries. Your first concern is how you’re going to find decent temporary housing. There are various options, none of which is home and some of which might be downright suspicious. But don’t get discouraged; opportunity awaits!
Here are a few tips for taking on this task of selecting your short-term landing place.
If you don’t know the city, do some strategic research on where to live. Your friends are your first line of defense; they may know the city or at least might have other friends who do. Getting advice from people you trust will help you feel more in control from the start. Web research will also help. Websites like Neighborhood Scout and City-Data offer some basic demographic and crime information that will help you get the lay of the land.
Think about what kind of housing you want. There are various choices for short-term housing, most notably residence hotels, corporate furnished rental apartments, and sublets of private residences. Which of these you pick will depend on how long you plan to stay, your budget, what type of experience you’re looking for, and how much legwork you’re willing to do.
Make sure the furnishings are complete. Short-term rentals might not be home, but they should have all the comforts. Be especially picky about the kitchen if you plan to cook. Nothing’s worse than finding out you don’t have any pots and pans on the first night you decide to make yourself a home-cooked meal.
If you sublet, look for legitimacy. The best site to find sublets is craigslist, which has a page dedicated to renting other people’s apartments and houses for short periods. Make sure to ask whether the apartment building’s management or the condo association allows the sublet. If a lease or other agreement stipulates against sublets, you’ll find yourself squatting illegally, forced to make claims about being someone’s visiting cousin to the evil-eyed building manager.
The good news is that even if you pick poorly, you won’t be there for long. And the better news is that you might find something great. So hunt with confidence. And good luck!
What are your tips for finding transitional or short-term housing? Have you used short-term housing between moves or when relocating? What worked for you when researching and what did you like best about the housing you selected?
