How to find temporary housing when moving

Moving house is a complicated process and you may not always be able to move into your new home on the same day that you move out of your old one. Whether you’re waiting for your new house or apartment to be ready to move in or haven’t found a permanent home in your new city yet, you’ll need a place to stay in the interim. Temporary housing is your best solution.

Short-term housing provides you with safe and comfortable living accommodations for as long as you need them, giving you the time and flexibility to find the perfect new home for you and your family and get it in great shape before moving in.

There are a lot of good short-term housing options available throughout the country, so it won’t be difficult to find an appropriate place to call your home-between-homes. Just make sure you take all the relevant factors into account – the duration of your temporary stay, the size of your family, the necessary amenities, the cost of different temporary accommodations, etc. – when looking for temporary housing between moves so you can pick the right solution for you.

Research your short term housing options

Different temporary housing arrangements come with their own unique benefits and drawbacks – which type will be best for you depends on your particular needs and available budget.

1) Short term rentals – Rental properties that are available on month-to-month lease terms. This is the perfect option for families with children – a lot of living space at an affordable price, a chance to feel at home and keep a similar daily routine as before the move, etc. However, you’ll be bound by a lease agreement and will need to set up all the desired utilities and services yourself. You’ll also have to bring most of your everyday items with you (be sure to look for furnished short-term rentals, so you don’t need to take along furniture, appliances, and other bulky household items as well).

2) Corporate housing – Although created with the purpose of providing temporary lodging for traveling business professionals, corporate housing rentals are now available to anyone in need of short-term living accommodations. They offer a lot of great advantages to families and individuals between moves – most corporate housing homes are located in nice suburban areas, come completely furnished, and provide a variety of useful amenities (included in the rent).

3) Vacation rentals – While these rentals are primarily used for vacationing, you can easily find longer term options, particularly during off-season months. Most vacation rental companies offer online booking with availability and costs upfront, so you can easily plan your temporary stay and associated expenses in advance. Vacation rentals are fully furnished, with various amenities available to the guests.

4) Extended stay hotels – Extended stay hotels are designed to accommodate guests who need to stay for more than a couple of days – they offer suitably furnished hotel rooms or suites equipped with a small kitchen and a workspace, housekeeping and linens, on-site laundry facilities, free breakfast, and various other services (as well as in-room WiFi Internet access, cable television, and all the necessary utilities). Amenities vary from hotel to hotel, but most locations offer an array of conveniences and luxuries (including exercise facilities and seasonal swimming pools or hot tubs).

The choice is wide and you can easily find an option that suits your needs. Just make sure you consider all the circumstances in your case so you can choose the best temporary accommodation for you and your family.

Consider your needs and preferences

When looking for short-term housing, think about who’s coming with you and what exactly you’re going to need:

• How long are you going to stay in temporary housing?
• Are you traveling alone or bringing your family with you? How large is your family?
• How much space do you need? Will a one-bedroom unit suffice? If your children are coming along, will they need their own bedrooms?
• Do you have pets? Unless your animal friends have someone to stay with while you’re in temporary housing, you need to look for pet-friendly short-term rentals.
• What would be a suitable location? Do you need your temporary residence to be close to your workplace, your children’s school, a medical center, etc.?
• What amenities do you require? Can you compromise a little to make your search for temporary accommodation easier?
• What price can you afford? There is no doubt that the cost of different types of short-term living arrangements will play a decisive role in your choice of temporary accommodation.

Consider the cost of temporary housing

When it comes to temporary rentals, the rule of thumb is that the longer you stay, the cheaper the rates will be:

• Extended stay hotel rates vary based on the length of your stay, the room that you choose, and the hotel chain itself – you can get discounted rates if you stay for a month or longer, one-bedroom suites are cheaper than multiple-room suites, and the average studio rate ranges from as little as $40.00 a night at budget hotels to as much as $150.00 per night in upscale chains. Extended stay hotels offer a relatively economic and very convenient solution, especially recommendable in large cities where the available short-term housing options are limited and rental prices are high;
• Short-term rentals can cost you about 25% less than a hotel suite, depending on the type of the property and its location. You’ll likely be able to get a better deal if you sign a lease for a longer period (three months, six months, etc.). Don’t forget to factor in the cost of utilities and desired services though.

Good to know: The cost of temporary housing depends on the city and its market – rates are higher in California, Texas, and the Northeastern part of the United States.

When looking for cheap temporary accommodation and budgeting for short-term housing, keep in mind that the rent is not the only factor to consider – some temporary housing options will require you to pay for a variety of other things as well (like parking and utilities). So, make sure you ask about any additional costs and find out how much they add up to before making your final choice.

Related: How to make a moving budget

Once you’re researched your options, got an idea of the temporary housing costs, and determined your needs and preferences, it’s time to start looking for short-term accommodations in your new area.

How to find temporary housing?

Start with an internet search for “short term housing” in the area you’re moving to – use phrases such as “short term accommodation”, “temporary rentals”, and “corporate housing” and the name of your new city or the name of the particular neighborhood where you want to live. You’ll find local companies that provide short-term lease homes and temporary stay apartments, as well as brokers who can assist you in finding appropriate temporary accommodation:

• Sites like Airbnb and HomeAway connect property owners who are interested in renting out their homes for a short period of time with people who are looking for temporary housing. You can search by location, date, length of stay, and number of people who’ll be living in the short-term rental homes;
• Extended Stay America is the largest extended stay hotel franchise on the continent – you can book your stay through their website just like with any other hotel;
• Using a broker is the easiest way to find an appropriate short-term place to rent – brokers know what temporary housing options exist in the area you’re interested in and can identify your best choices based on location, rate, and amenities. The best part is that they’re paid for by the property managers, so their services won’t cost you anything. Keep in mind though that most brokers won’t consider vacation rentals or extended stay hotels.

Good to remember: The more flexible you’re with your search, the easier it will be to find affordable temporary housing. You’re renting a place to stay only for a little while, so you can compromise on your requirements a bit – consider expanding your search area to nearby neighborhoods, forgoing certain luxuries, settling for less than state-of-the-art amenities, etc. Even if your commute time gets a little longer or you don’t have easy access to a swimming pool, the inconvenience may be worth it if it means a larger, safer, more comfortable short-term rental home at a lower price.

Make a plan for your belongings

Last but not least, you need to decide what to do with your belongings while you’re in temporary housing.

1) Once you’ve found suitable short-term lodging, you’ll be able to decide which of your items to take with you:

• Find out what household items are available in your temporary home so that you know what you need to bring along (your rental house kitchen may be equipped with a fridge and a stove, for example, but not with a microwave and a coffee maker);
• Decide what personal items to take with you – clothes and accessories (consider the climate in your new area at the time of the year when your temporary stay takes place in order to choose season-appropriate garments and footwear), toiletries, medications, documents, jewelry and other valuable items, important electronics, small tools, entertainment items, kids’ items, pets’ items, etc.

Don’t be tempted to take too many things – moving your belongings several times will only increase your expenses, the relocation hassle, and the risk of damage to your cherished possessions.

2) Find a suitable storage solution for the items you’re not taking with you – choose a good self-storage facility in your new area or ask your chosen movers to store your belongings (they will pick up your items, keep them safe in their own warehouse, and deliver them to your new home upon your request). The latter may be your better option when you need short-term storage between homes – the same moving company will take care of your move from start to finish and you won’t need to make any additional arrangements.

See also: How to pack for a temporary move