How Do Travel Nurses Find Housing: An In-Depth Look
Published by Mo Rashid On 12 May, 2026
When a travel nurse is assigned a new contract, it’s typically pretty last minute, and finding housing quickly can be challenging. This article will look at all of the potential options a travel nurse has for finding a rental for their next assignment.
Option 1: Travel Nurse Housing Sites
Travel nurse housing websites, such as Transplant Housing and Furnished Finder, are the first ideal place for a travel nurse to start looking for a short-term rental. These sites are specifically designed to provide a one-stop shop for travel nurses seeking housing near their assignment.
Benefits of booking with Transplant Housing: - Owners are vetted and pay a monthly or annual fee to offer their property to trusted healthcare professionals. - Property owners are encouraged to make their space as move-in ready as possible. - Rental owners are encouraged to be pet-friendly when possible. - Lets you decide what type of rental and location are best for your needs.
Cons of booking a short-term rental property privately: - Higher risk of scams and lost money. - Dealing with the stress of finding an appropriate location on short notice. - You may lose a fee/deposit or entire contract payment if your assignment is suddenly canceled.
Option 2: Travel Nursing Agency Housing Department
Most travel nursing companies have a dedicated housing department that can help nurses find short-term rentals close to their assignment.
Benefits: - A travel nurse won’t have to spend any time searching. - Rental properties are typically vetted. - If your contract is canceled last minute, you will typically not be held responsible for any lost funds.
Cons: - You typically don’t have a choice over location, type, or rental. - You will not get a stipend. - In some instances, you may end up sharing a property with a roommate.
Option 3: Temporary Furnished Housing
Travel nurses can often find temporary furnished housing through: Airbnb, VRBO, Home Away, Expedia, Booking, Sublet.com, Extended-stay Hotels, Housestay, Facebook Marketplace, Facebook groups, Craigslist, and similar sites.
Benefits: - Likely to find something last-minute. - Can expect a fully stocked living space. - Can filter search by specific amenities.
Cons: - Typically much more expensive than other options. - For Facebook Marketplace or groups, need to be mindful of scams. - Finding a pet-friendly rental is more difficult.
Option 4: Traditional House Hunting
Some travel nurses turn to traditional apartment searching through sites like Apartments.com, Forrent.com, Trulia.com, and Rent.com. This option will likely require you to find basic furniture and kitchen utensils and sign up for utilities.
Option 5: Staying With Friends or Family
Benefits: - Get your full stipend and stay with someone you know for free or at a discounted price. - No need to worry about furniture or kitchen items. - Built-in support system and tour guide.
Cons: - Living situation may feel cramped. - Always tread carefully with friends and family.
How to Choose the Right Housing Option
Questions to ask yourself: - Do you value freedom of choice or ease and scam coverage more? - Would you like all utilities to be included? - Would you like it furnished and move-in ready? - Do you mind staying in a hotel, if needed? - Consider your budget based on the stipend you will be receiving. - Would you be open to renting a room or finding roommates? - If traveling with a pet, what choices are realistic for you?
Other Tips for Finding Short-Term Housing
- Be extra mindful of scammers — beware of Craigslist.com and “too good to be true” offers.
- Always check out potential landlords online and look for any red flags.
- Make sure you have a contract signed with clear parameters.
- Talk to your travel agency about any concerns you have about housing.