The Travel Therapist's Guide to Finding Housing

How to find affordable short-term housing for your 13-week assignment — and pocket more of your housing stipend.

Read the Guide ↓

Your Housing Options

Travel therapists generally have two choices: take company-provided housing or find your own and pocket the stipend. Finding your own housing almost always saves more money.

🏠 Furnished Finder

✓ Made for travel healthcare workers

✓ Landlords understand 13-week leases

✗ Selection varies by city

The #1 platform for travel therapist housing. Landlords list furnished rentals specifically for healthcare travelers. No booking fees for tenants.

🏡 Airbnb / VRBO

✓ Huge selection everywhere

✓ Monthly discounts available

✗ Can be expensive; cleaning fees add up

Great backup option. Always message hosts about monthly rates — many will offer 30-50% discounts for 3-month stays. Filter for "monthly stays."

🏢 Company Housing

✓ Zero effort — agency handles everything

✓ Good for first-timers

✗ You lose your housing stipend

Your agency finds and pays for housing directly. Convenient but costs you $300-700+/week in lost stipend income. Best for your first contract while you learn the ropes.

🚐 RV / Van Life

✓ Maximum stipend savings

✓ Your "home" travels with you

✗ Upfront investment; limited in some cities

Growing trend among travel therapists. RV park fees are typically $500-900/month, meaning you pocket a huge portion of your housing stipend. Great for couples.

💡 Pro Tip: The Stipend Pocket Strategy If your housing stipend is $770/week ($3,340/month) and you find housing for $1,800/month, you pocket $1,540/month tax-free. Over a 13-week contract, that's an extra $5,000+ in your pocket.

Housing Timeline for Your Contract

6-8 weeks before start: Begin searching on Furnished Finder and Airbnb. Contact 5-10 listings.

4-6 weeks before: Secure your housing. Sign lease or book. Ask about early check-in if you want to explore before starting.

2 weeks before: Confirm move-in details. Ship any items you need. Set up mail forwarding from your tax home.

During contract: Start looking for next assignment housing in weeks 8-10 if you're extending or moving to a new contract.

What to Pack for Your Assignment

Most furnished rentals include basics, but experienced travelers always bring: their own bedding/pillows, a few kitchen essentials, a shower curtain (often forgotten), an air mattress for guests, and a folding desk if you do any remote documentation work.

Get the Housing Search Checklist

Printable checklist with questions to ask landlords, what to look for, and red flags to avoid.