{"id":8439,"date":"2024-08-05T14:00:21","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=8439"},"modified":"2024-10-15T21:33:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T21:33:33","slug":"how-to-find-the-best-travel-nurse-housing-in-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-to-find-the-best-travel-nurse-housing-in-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find the Best Travel Nurse Housing in New York"},"content":{"rendered":"

From man-made gems like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building to scenic wonders such as Niagara Falls and the Catskill Mountains, <\/span>New York State<\/span><\/a> earns its place as a bucket list item for travel nurses and other healthcare professionals (HCPs). However, as the country\u2019s No. 4 most populous state, demand for housing in New York can be staggering, especially in and around <\/span>New York City<\/span><\/a> (NYC), the nation\u2019s most crowded urban area. Finding travel nurse housing in New York State may take some extra effort, but Vivian Health has gathered <\/span>essential housing tips and resources<\/span><\/a> to help you kickstart your hunt for the perfect place to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the Numbers: Working as a New York Travel Nurse<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Travel<\/p>\n

New York is a bounty of riches for a travel RN. The state\u2019s diverse landscapes and four-season climate offer plenty of hiking, skiing, leaf peeping and beach hopping opportunities. In its southernmost corner, the state boasts New York City, one of the world\u2019s truly international cultural and economic capitals. Many consider a stint in NYC as a once-in-a-lifetime experience inspired by imagery from the likes of <\/span>Sex and the City, Friends, Gossip Girl <\/span><\/i>and too many films to count.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With its massive healthcare sector, New York State is as rich in HCP jobs as it is in scenery and culture. According to the Federal Reserve, healthcare <\/span>accounts for 12.6%<\/span><\/a> of all New York jobs vs. an <\/span>average of 9.3%<\/span><\/a> of all jobs across the entire U.S., per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on job listings from Vivian Health during the week of June 24, 2024, <\/span>travel nursing jobs in New York<\/span><\/a> paid an average of $2,312 per week. During this period, <\/span>travel nursing salaries in New York<\/span><\/a> were roughly 9% above the national average travel nurse wage and paid a 23% premium over the national <\/span>average staff nurse rates<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, you must weigh the state\u2019s wage premiums against its higher cost of living. According to Sperling\u2019s Best Places, <\/span>New York\u2019s cost of living<\/span><\/a> is 21.5% higher than the national average. That higher average also obscures the significant price differences between the state\u2019s two primary regions, \u201cDownstate\u201d and \u201cUpstate.\u201d The differences between these regions are so substantial that you might even think of them as if they were two different states. They present polar extremes regarding housing costs and living experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Downstate vs. Upstate \u2013 New York\u2019s Tale of Two Regions<\/b><\/h3>\n

Downstate New York includes New York City and its immediate suburbs, including all of Long Island. A plethora of major hospitals offer many potential jobs. In fact, in our list of the <\/span>top 10 healthcare employers in New York State<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>all<\/span><\/i> of them are located Downstate, and <\/span>several additional top hospitals in NYC<\/span><\/a> also often rank among the best in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, this region is among the most expensive places in the country to live. Based on Sperling\u2019s Best Places data, <\/span>New York City\u2019s cost of living<\/span><\/a> is 72.5% higher than the national average, which you\u2019ll see reflected in the price of everything from groceries and rent to movie tickets and cocktails. Travel nurses taking contracts there may want to consider ways to economize such as living in shared housing, studio apartments or further from the hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upstate New York includes the rest of the state, stretching from New England in the East to the Great Lakes in the West and all the up to the Canadian border. It features a mix of smaller cities like Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, smaller towns, and mountainous or agricultural rural areas. Costs in this region are more in line with the rest of the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Housing Costs for Transient Nurses in New York\u2019s Two Regions<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Travel<\/p>\n

Many nurses who travel solo or as a couple typically consider one-bedroom apartments the ideal size for their stay. Therefore, we looked at the rent for this apartment category in both Downstate and Upstate NY. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) calculates <\/span>fair market rents<\/span><\/a> for apartments based on the local rental rates for modest apartments in each size category.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no question that housing in Upstate NY is more affordable. In Hamilton County, New York\u2019s most rural county, HUD\u2019s 2024 fair market one-bedroom apartment rent was $770. For Erie County, home to Buffalo, New York\u2019s second-largest city, it was $908. In Albany County, home to the state capital, it was $1,079. Such rents are representative of Upstate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Downstate<\/span><\/i> is another story. For instance, in Westchester and Nassau counties, suburban areas adjacent to New York City, HUD\u2019s 2024 one-bedroom fair market rents were $1,669 and $1,914, respectively. Meanwhile, HUD combines New York City\u2019s five counties, or boroughs, into a single fair market rent of $2,170 for a one-bedroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, hidden within this city-wide average is the fact that housing is typically cheaper in New York City\u2019s so-called outer boroughs (<\/span>i.e., <\/span><\/i>Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx). Conversely, rental costs in Manhattan, the city\u2019s central borough, are among the highest in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

One cost-saving option for travel nurses Downstate, especially in NYC, is living without owning or operating a car thanks to dense, walkable neighborhoods and extensive, 24-hour public transportation. The region\u2019s system of commuter rails, buses, subway and even ferries reaches beyond New York State\u2019s borders into a tri-state area. This elaborate system means nurses looking to work in NYC can consider out-of-state housing, such as rentals in Fairfield County (CT) or Hudson, Bergen and Essex Counties (NJ). Various transit systems bring tens of thousands of commuters from those counties into New York City each day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considerations When Choosing Travel Nurse Housing in New York<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Lower<\/p>\n

Flexible Terms and Furnished Apartments<\/b><\/h4>\n

Wherever you choose to take a travel nursing role in New York, here are some general considerations. Many landlords only offer rental housing for one-year minimum leases, which isn\u2019t helpful for HCPs taking 90-day or 180-day travel jobs. Flexibility is crucial, such as a landlord\u2019s willingness to rent weekly or for a preset period or offer a month-to-month lease. Unfortunately, these options often cost more than longer-term leases. Travel nurses typically also want to find fully furnished housing since hauling furniture from location to location can be a costly and laborious burden.<\/span><\/p>\n

Proximity to Work<\/b><\/h4>\n

Work-life balance is a priority for many travel nurses. Living near a healthcare facility can offer shorter commutes and more time to enjoy your travel experience. Proximity also helps with picking up extra shifts or in emergencies. All of this certainly applies Upstate. However, you should carefully weigh workplace proximity Downstate against the cost of housing near the facility.<\/span><\/p>\n

While numerous prestigious hospitals are in NYC\u2019s expensive Manhattan borough, many staff nurses commute from less expensive areas like the outer boroughs and suburbs. You can, too. Mass transit makes it all possible while avoiding the region\u2019s notorious traffic. Most transit operates around the clock, and online tools like Google Maps can help you explore transit routes and timings between your employer and potential housing options.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seasonal Variations and Short-Term Housing Challenges<\/b><\/h4>\n

New York is a year-round tourist destination with a mix of activities drawing visitors in all four seasons. However, tourism often peaks during the summer and between Thanksgiving and New Year\u2019s Day. This spike is especially true in New York City. Steer clear of housing in Manhattan\u2019s heavily touristed areas during such periods. The summer can also put a housing crunch in popular beach, mountain and lake destinations, such as the Hamptons, Catskill Mountains and Finger Lakes region, where many NYC residents take summer vacations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to Find Travel Nurse Housing in New York<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Looking<\/p>\n

Various websites and services offer ways to <\/span>find travel nurse housing<\/span><\/a> in New York. We focus primarily on listing services and providers where rooms come already furnished and that permit terms of less than a year. We group sites into a few main categories, as listed below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vacation Rental Sites\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

Vacation rental sites such as <\/span>Airbnb<\/b> and <\/span>Vrbo<\/b> can be an option for travel nurses. Housing choices range from entire homes to individual rooms, sometimes shared with the owner or a full-time tenant. These sites may best serve Upstate or suburban Downstate locations. Meanwhile, an <\/span>NYC law bans most housing rentals<\/span><\/a> for less than 30 days. Although most travel nurses need housing for 30 days <\/span>or longer, <\/span><\/i>the limitations on shorter-term stays mean fewer listings on these vacation-oriented sites than you might expect for a city of the Big Apple\u2019s size.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Long-Term Stay Hotels<\/b><\/h4>\n

While it might seem counterintuitive to stay in a hotel for more than a couple of weeks, a variety of lodging brands today cater to long-term stays of 30 days or more. Such extended-stay hotels often include a kitchenette and separate seating area so that the room can serve as your fully furnished home away from home. Several provide free hot breakfast, which is a great perk for a busy nurse. The business model of such chains features lower prices if you book a long-term stay, with deals for month-long rentals, compared to most other hotel chains.<\/span><\/p>\n

This type of hotel is more common and affordable in suburban New York City and Upstate New York compared with NYC. Some options in this category include:<\/span><\/p>\n