How do I find a place to stay for a month?

There is one thing that everyone has in common: they don't want to spend a lot of money on lodging. Because you'll be staying somewhere every night, slashing your lodging costs can save you a lot of money.

It's a piece of cake if you have a lot of cash. It's as simple as going to the vacation rental websites and selecting a location. Non-primary residences almost universally list a lower monthly rental price than a weekly one. For those of us who don't have a lot of money, we'll need to spend some time looking for a place to rent for one to three months.

In addition to being contemporary and self-contained, our executive apartments are located in some of Shepparton's most beautiful and scenic locations.

Stay in Hospitality Exchanges

One of the best ways to get free accommodation is by staying with someone who lives where you’re going. Stay with a local who will give you a free place to rest your head, local information, and someone to hang out with! This is one of my favourite ways to save money and one that nets a really awesome cultural experience too! There are a few websites that make this happen:

• Couchsurfing
• Global Freeloaders
• Hospitality Club

My personal favourite is Couchsurfing, despite the fact that it is the most popular and has the largest user base. The site's goal is to help travellers save money on lodging while also allowing them to get a taste of the culture by staying with and interacting with locals.

I use this site frequently, and I think it's one of the best travel innovations ever. What keeps me coming back to the site over and over again is the opportunity to see a city from the perspective of a local. I'm taken to places that aren't listed in any guidebook, such as parties and restaurants.

Many would-be couchsurfers are hesitant to do so out of concern for their own safety. I, too, was apprehensive at first. You've arrived in a strange city, with all your belongings, and are staying in the home of a stranger. What if they sneak up on you at night and kill you? What if they take all of your valuables, including your car? But I've discovered that those who are willing to open their homes to strangers usually have a wide range of perspectives and are no strangers to the road. They understand your situation. Because they care, they want to help. It's a problem that Couchsurfing is working hard to address. It allows users to rate and comment on other people's profiles, and it has various levels of verification.

I use the following criteria when searching for a Couchsurfing host:

• There has to be a picture with the profile. This just shows me that it’s a real person.
• The profile has to be filled out. It shows they are interested and involved. Most people aren’t going to spend the time to fill this out if they aren’t going to be comfortable with strangers in their home. If someone hasn’t bothered to fill out the profile, they probably don’t use the site, and I simply move on.
• They should have reviews. If other people have stayed with or have at least travelled with the host and had a good experience, you and your stuff will probably be fine. You might not get along with the host, but at least you know they aren’t a creep. The more positive reviews, the better.
• Verification helps. Couchsurfing offers different levels of verification. People can be verified by other travellers, with a mailing address, or with a credit card. Knowing that a person has been verified reduces the likelihood that they are going to be a crazy psycho killer. However, if someone isn’t verified but has a lot of reviews, that’s O.K. with me.
• No matter what, you need to use your judgment, but I haven’t heard of any really bad couchsurfing experiences, besides the host being a jerk or a little anti-social. Usually, you end up talking with hosts over email to get a feel for them and what they expect. If it doesn’t seem right, don’t do it! But once you couchsurf for the first time, you see that it isn’t that bad. If you do it frequently, you’ll end up saving hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on accommodation and making friends around the world.

Stay in Hostels

Budget travellers can also consider hostels. Hostels have dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens. Many people avoid staying in hostels because they view them as "young things." Although many people don't realise it, a number of hostels offer small rooms (such as singles or doubles) for solo or couple travellers. People in their 50s and 60s stay in hostels all the time. Despite popular belief, they are not filthy, run-down hostels catering to college students. Hostels often have more amenities and are cleaner than hotels because many young people expect more amenities and cleanliness. They're not the kind of hostels you'll see in movies or hear about from your parents. WiFi, tour desks, bars and curtained lockers for your belongings are just some of the amenities you'll find in these rooms. It amazes me how hostels keep improving year after year.

Stay in a Home Exchange

This probably works best for older travellers who already own a home. These programs have been around for a long time but are growing in popularity due to good marketing and word-of-mouth on the internet. Home exchanges are just like they sound — for a set amount of time, you swap homes with a family from another country. It’s a great way to live cheaply abroad.

Most people don’t do this because they worry about security — but remember that the other family is trusting you with their home, too. Sites that facilitate home exchanges usually have various levels of verification and security, similar to Couchsurfing. Families talk to each other over phone and email, and there’s no commitment if you find that it’s not right for you. Most people who do this are like-minded, so the chances of something going wrong are slim. Moreover, the family sends a few people to check up on you when you arrive. You can get all the comforts of home (hot water, laundry, etc.) while in another city, without paying for it.

For more information on home exchange, check out Home Exchange. This website was featured in the movie “The Holiday,” which did a lot to alleviate people’s fears over home exchange and bring this travel option into the mainstream. Some of the other home exchange websites are Seniors Home Exchange, IHEN, and Home for Exchange.

If swapping homes isn’t your thing, then consider house-sitting as an alternative. In exchange for watching and cleaning someone’s home while they are away, you’ll get a place to stay in the area you are visiting. Good house-sitting sites include:

• Mind My House
• House Carers
• Luxury House Sitting

One thing to remember about house sitting is that it’s also not meant for the casual tourist. While you can find short options for only a few days, most house sitting is for weeks or months. Remember you are watching a person’s home while they are on vacation and people like to go away for awhile. You are in charge of keeping someone’s house in order and will have to go through a verification process. The growing popularity has made it, so there are a lot of options.

Stay in Airbnb

Renting a furnished apartment while travelling is similar to doing a home exchange. These apartments are less expensive than hotels, but they offer a wide range of additional services. It is ideal if you plan to stay for a few days or longer. You won't have to fork over a fortune to enjoy the luxuries of home.

If you're travelling alone, these apartments are a good middle ground between a hostel and a hotel. They cost at least twice as much as a dorm room at a hostel. If you're travelling in a group or as a couple and want to avoid the crowds and noise of the hostels but don't want to pay for a hotel room, this is an excellent choice. Is there another benefit to employing this technique? If you cook, you'll be able to lower your food costs. Websites are now used by everyone. Nowadays, many people use Airbnb as a primary mode of transportation. This is a great option if you don't want to stay in a hostel but don't want to stay in a hotel either. Every time I travel, I use Airbnb as my primary lodging option. Love it. Get to know new people while still enjoying a quiet, tidy environment. It's perfect, in all sincerity.

Are you looking for a place to stay for an extended period of time? The L'barza Services Apartments provide guests with contemporary serviced apartments.

Stay on a Farm

Want to live on a farm but not work like you would with WWOOFing? Try a farm stay. Farm stays allow you to stay on working farms, learn how a farm works, possibly get involved in the workings of the farm (milk that cow!), and enjoy a number of organized outdoor activities. Facilities range from basic camping to luxury rooms depending on the farm, but in general, it’s like you’re staying at bed and breakfast. Prices vary widely depending on where you are in the world but generally, expect to pay the price of a budget hotel (so at least $40 per night).

Stay in a Monastery

Want something totally off the beaten track? Stay in a monastery. Accommodation in these monasteries is often very spartan, containing no more than a bed and desk, with simple meals prepared by the monks and nuns. Monasteries are very family-friendly and quiet (most also have curfews). While many monasteries cost at least $50 a night per person (many have dorms for half that price), most simply ask for donations or are free, making them an amazing budget option too.

Resources for finding a monastery stay:

• Monastery Stays Locations
• How to Stay in a Monastery
• 15 great Monastery Stays
• Monastery Stays Around the World (CNN)

Collect Points!

The best way to save on accommodation is to get it for free if you don’t want to couchsurf but like free accommodation, travel hack.

Collect hotel points through various programs and redeem them for free nights at hotels. I am writing this right now from the Waldorf Astoria in London. Cost for me? $0. Sign up for a hotel credit card, get lots of bonus points, put everything on the card, and redeem! It’s that easy.

And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money because there are lots of ways to earn points without spending money (you don’t have)!

Apartment Rentals 

In addition to renting a room, locals can also rent out an entire home or apartment through apartment rental websites. The host advertises their property online, takes a few photos, and then hits the publish button, and they're off and running.

When making a reservation, it's just like making a reservation for any other type of lodging. Once you've found a property you like, you can log in and make a booking request. A confirmation is sent to you once the owner accepts.

You don't have to wait for a response from the owner to book a place on many websites, which is a huge time-saver. Your hotel room is reserved for you right away (similar to when you book a hotel).

With the help of online reviews, you'll also be able to see exactly what amenities are provided by the host and the apartment. For example, if there is a kitchen (so you can cook your own meals to save money), or if there are restrictions on noise, smoking, and pets, you can find out more about the rental. You may need a washer and dryer or a high-speed Internet connection. To learn more about the host, check out their profile (or in the reviews).

With most accommodation rental websites, there is a map to help you locate the property. In this way, you have the option of choosing an apartment near the attractions you want to see, or a more remote location if you prefer a quieter stay and the opportunity to get a better sense of the local culture.

Tips for Finding Short Term Housing

Tips you should consider when looking for short term housing, and advice for choosing your best option.

Know your options

Unless you have a friend or family member willing to put you up between your moves, you’re likely going to need to find a viable temporary housing option through a rental or vacation company. Start with an internet search for “short term housing” in the area you want to be living, and a few different types of properties should show up.

Short term rentals: These are typical apartment or housing rentals that are available with variable lease terms. For most short term rentals, the less amount of time you want to lease for, the higher your monthly rent is going to be.

Corporate housing: Pretty much the same as short term rentals. While corporate housing is created with the general intent of providing temporary lodging for travelling business professionals, short term housing during a relocation is actually the most popular reason people seek out this type of rental, according to the Corporate Housing Providers Association.

Sublets: Depending on the extent of the rental market in your area, you may be able to find a subletting option that works with your timeline. Subletting means taking over a lease from an existing tenant for a set duration of time, and may require approval from the tenant’s landlord.

Vacation rentals: Sites like Airbnb, Owner Direct, and HomeAway connect property owners who are trying to rent out their homes (or a room in their house) for a short or long period of time with people who are looking for temporary housing. While you may think these types of rentals are purely for vacationing, many listings offer longer-term options, particularly during off-season months.

Extended stay hotels: If you need housing for more than a couple of days, you’re probably not going to want to spend the pricey nightly rates of typical hotels. Extended stay hotels, however, are designed to accommodate guests who need to stay somewhere a little longer. Rates vary based on the length of your stay, the room that you choose, and the hotel chain itself.

Use a broker

The easiest way to gather a lot of options in one place is to work with an apartment broker. Brokers will be able to tell you what sorts of temporary housing options exist in the area you’re interested in and can break down your best choices by rate, location, and amenities. And because apartment brokers are paid for by the property managers themselves, there is no cost to you for using their services. Just note that most brokers are looking at short term rentals and corporate housing options, and won’t necessarily be scanning vacation rentals or extended stay hotels. If you want to go the latter route, you’ll probably have to do the digging yourself.

Have a plan for your belongings

One of the biggest concerns people have with short term housing is what to do with their things. While some rentals require you to bring in your own furniture, many short term options come furnished, or may just be too small to house all of your belongings. If that’s the case, you’ll need to make sure you have a good storage option in addition to your rental. Even if you can bring in your own stuff, you may want to reduce the amount of heavy lifting and store your things while doing a short term furniture rental. Whichever option you choose, make sure you have a plan in place earlier rather than later.

Be flexible with your search

Location and amenities are critical considerations when relocating for an extended period of time. For short-term rentals, you may be willing to compromise a little bit in order to speed up the process of finding a place to live. To find a home that's a good fit for you, consider expanding your search beyond your immediate area. Short-term inconveniences can be tolerated if you can still get to where you need to go every day. The most important considerations in terms of amenities are security and cleanliness. Don't worry about fancy new appliances or other luxuries; you won't be using them for very long anyway.

Consider the length of your stay

A huge determining factor in selecting your optimal temporary housing option is how long you plan to stay. Your best choices will be very different for a one week stay versus a six-month stay, and you may find that budget-wise, an option that seemed appealing to you is too expensive given the amount of time you’d be living there. And if you don’t know how long you’ll be staying, you’ll need to be sure that whichever option you choose has flexibility in letting you add on time as needed.

Don’t forget the pets

If you’re moving with pets, make sure you factor them into your search from the very beginning – you don’t want to find the perfect short term rental only to discover that they’re not pet-friendly. Some short term rentals allow pets, others have some units that are pet friendly and some that aren’t, and others don’t allow them at all. Of those that do allow pets, there is usually an additional monthly fee. Unless your pet has someone they can stay with during your temporary housing period, this is a variable to consider and will have a major impact on which options you can go with.

Take all costs into account

Don't just look at the monthly rent when budgeting for temporary housing. The cost of things like parking, utilities, and general repairs may also be included in some options. When looking for a home, don't forget to enquire about possible extra expenses and how much they typically cost. You must know exactly how much money you'll be spending before signing the contract for a short-term rental.

You should begin your search for a short-term rental as early as possible because it can be time consuming. Prior to your move, you should be able to find out if your prefered move-in date is still available. Don't forget to contact leasing managers in person if you can't find anything on the internet. Many times, you can only get basic information about a property online, and the real deal pricing and availability can only be learned by speaking with a representative from the property. In the end, you should be able to find a short-term housing option that works best for you.

Conclusion

Vacation rental websites almost universally list a lower monthly rental price than a weekly one. Stay with a local who will give you a free place to rest your head, local information, and someone to hang out with! There are a few websites that make this happen. Many would-be couchsurfers are hesitant out of concern for their own safety. Couchsurfing allows users to rate and comment on other people's profiles.

I use the following criteria when searching for a host:. There has to be a picture with the profile. It shows they are interested and involved. Couchsurfing offers different levels of verification. People can be verified by other travellers, with a mailing address, or with a credit card.

Knowing that a person has been verified reduces the likelihood that they are going to be a crazy psycho killer. If it doesn't seem right, don't do it! Hostels are dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens. A number of hostels offer small rooms (such as singles or doubles) for solo or couple travellers. People in their 50s and 60s stay in hostels all the time, despite popular belief.

House-sitting is a great way to stay in someone's home while they are away. If you cook, you'll be able to lower your food costs and get to know new people. Airbnb is an excellent option if you don't want to pay for a hostel or hotel room. Stay on a farm. Farm stays allow you to stay on working farms, learn how a farm works, and possibly get involved in the workings of the farm.

Stay in a monastery. Monasteries are often very spartan, containing no more than a bed and desk, with simple meals prepared by monks and nuns. With short term rentals, you don't have to wait for a response from the owner to book a place. Online reviews allow you to see exactly what amenities are provided by the host and the apartment. You can also find out if there are restrictions on noise, smoking, and pets.

Sites like Airbnb and HomeAway connect property owners with people looking for short or long-term rentals. Location and amenities are critical considerations when relocating for an extended period of time. Some rentals require you to bring in your own furniture, or may be too small to house all of your belongings. Some short term rentals don't allow pets, others have some units that are pet friendly and some that aren't. When looking for a home, don't forget to enquire about possible extra expenses. The cost of parking, utilities, and general repairs may also be included in some options.

Content Summary

1. Because you'll be staying somewhere every night, slashing your lodging costs can save you a lot of money.
2. It's a piece of cake if you have a lot of cash.
3. It's as simple as going to the vacation rental websites and selecting a location.
4. For those of us who don't have a lot of money, we'll need to spend some time looking for a place to rent for one to three months.
5. Stay in Hospitality ExchangesOne of the best ways to get free accommodation is by staying with someone who lives where you're going.
6. Stay with a local who will give you a free place to rest your head, local information, and someone to hang out with!
7. The site's goal is to help travellers save money on lodging while also allowing them to get a taste of the culture by staying with and interacting with locals.
8. Many would-be couchsurfers are hesitant to do so out of concern for their own safety.
9. You've arrived in a strange city, with all your belongings, and are staying in the home of a stranger.
10. But I've discovered that those who are willing to open their homes to strangers usually have a wide range of perspectives and are no strangers to the road.
11. They understand your situation.
12. Because they care, they want to help.
13. It's a problem that Couchsurfing is working hard to address.
14. It allows users to rate and comment on other people's profiles, and it has various levels of verification.
15. I use the following criteria when searching for a Couchsurfing host:There has to be a picture with the profile.
16. This just shows me that it's a real person.
17. The profile has to be filled out.
18. It shows they are interested and involved.
19. Most people aren't going to spend the time to fill this out if they aren't going to be comfortable with strangers in their home.
20. They should have reviews.
21. If other people have stayed with or have at least travelled with the host and had a good experience, you and your stuff will probably be fine.
22. You might not get along with the host, but at least you know they aren't a creep.
23. The more positive reviews, the better.
24. Verification helps.
25. Couchsurfing offers different levels of verification.
26. However, if someone isn't verified but has a lot of reviews, that's O.K. with me.
27. If it doesn't seem right, don't do it!
28. But once you couchsurf for the first time, you see that it isn't that bad.
29. Stay in Hostels
30. People in their 50s and 60s stay in hostels all the time.
31. Hostels often have more amenities and are cleaner than hotels because many young people expect more amenities and cleanliness.
32. Stay in a Home ExchangeThis probably works best for older travellers who already own a home.
33. Home exchanges are just like they sound — for a set amount of time, you swap homes with a family from another country.
34. You can get all the comforts of home (hot water, laundry, etc.)
35. while in another city, without paying for it.
36. For more information on home exchange, check out Home Exchange.
37. If swapping homes isn't your thing, then consider house-sitting as an alternative.
38. In exchange for watching and cleaning someone's home while they are away, you'll get a place to stay in the area you are visiting.
39. Good house-sitting sites include:Mind My House House Carers Luxury House SittingOne thing to remember about house sitting is that it's also not meant for the casual tourist.
40. While you can find short options for only a few days, most house sitting is for weeks or months.
41. Stay in AirbnbRenting a furnished apartment while travelling is similar to doing a home exchange.
42. Nowadays, many people use Airbnb as a primary mode of transportation.
43. This is a great option if you don't want to stay in a hostel but don't want to stay in a hotel either.
44. It's perfect, in all sincerity.
45. Want to live on a farm but not work like you would with WWOOFing?
46. Try a farm stay.
47. Prices vary widely depending on where you are in the world but generally, expect to pay the price of a budget hotel (so at least $40 per night).Stay in a MonasteryWant something totally off the beaten track?
48. Stay in a monastery.
49. Resources for finding a monastery stay:Monastery Stays Locations How to Stay in a Monastery 15 great Monastery Stays Monastery Stays Around the World (CNN) Collect Points!The best way to save on accommodation is to get it for free if you don't want to couchsurf but like free accommodation, travel hack.
50. Collect hotel points through various programs and redeem them for free nights at hotels.
51. Sign up for a hotel credit card, get lots of bonus points, put everything on the card, and redeem!
52. Your hotel room is reserved for you right away (similar to when you book a hotel).With the help of online reviews, you'll also be able to see exactly what amenities are provided by the host and the apartment.
53. To learn more about the host, check out their profile (or in the reviews).With most accommodation rental websites, there is a map to help you locate the property.
54. Tips for Finding Short Term HousingTips you should consider when looking for short term housing, and advice for choosing your best option.
55. Know your optionsUnless you have a friend or family member willing to put you up between your moves, you're likely going to need to find a viable temporary housing option through a rental or vacation company.
56. Start with an internet search for "short term housing" in the area you want to be living, and a few different types of properties should show up.
57. For most short term rentals, the less amount of time you want to lease for, the higher your monthly rent is going to be.
58. Corporate housing: Pretty much the same as short term rentals.
59. Sublets: Depending on the extent of the rental market in your area, you may be able to find a subletting option that works with your timeline.
60. Use a brokerThe easiest way to gather a lot of options in one place is to work with an apartment broker.
61. Just note that most brokers are looking at short term rentals and corporate housing options, and won't necessarily be scanning vacation rentals or extended stay hotels.
62. Have a plan for your belongings
63. One of the biggest concerns people have with short term housing is what to do with their things.
64. While some rentals require you to bring in your own furniture, many short term options come furnished, or may just be too small to house all of your belongings.
65. If that's the case, you'll need to make sure you have a good storage option in addition to your rental.
66. Even if you can bring in your own stuff, you may want to reduce the amount of heavy lifting and store your things while doing a short term furniture rental.
67. Whichever option you choose, make sure you have a plan in place earlier rather than later.
68. Be flexible with your searchLocation and amenities are critical considerations when relocating for an extended period of time.
69. For short-term rentals, you may be willing to compromise a little bit in order to speed up the process of finding a place to live.
70. To find a home that's a good fit for you, consider expanding your search beyond your immediate area.
71. Consider the length of your stayA huge determining factor in selecting your optimal temporary housing option is how long you plan to stay.
72. If you're moving with pets, make sure you factor them into your search from the very beginning – you don't want to find the perfect short term rental only to discover that they're not pet-friendly.
73. Take all costs into accountDon't just look at the monthly rent when budgeting for temporary housing.
74. When looking for a home, don't forget to enquire about possible extra expenses and how much they typically cost.
75. You must know exactly how much money you'll be spending before signing the contract for a short-term rental.
76. You should begin your search for a short-term rental as early as possible because it can be time consuming.
77. Prior to your move, you should be able to find out if your prefered move-in date is still available.
78. In the end, you should be able to find a short-term housing option that works best for you.