{"id":8444,"date":"2024-07-29T14:02:18","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T14:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=8444"},"modified":"2024-07-29T14:02:18","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T14:02:18","slug":"how-to-find-the-best-travel-nurse-housing-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-to-find-the-best-travel-nurse-housing-in-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find the Best Travel Nurse Housing in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florida is a preferred travel nursing destination for its attractive climate, beautiful beaches and ample things to do during off hours. As the <\/span>third most populous state<\/span><\/a> nationwide and home to a significant number of retirees, the state also has vast and varied healthcare needs, creating abundant <\/span>travel nursing job opportunities<\/span><\/a> at <\/span>renowned health systems<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>However, the state\u2019s popular coastline and numerous tourist attractions can make it tricky to find suitable housing, especially for short-term assignments. Vivian Health offers insights and strategies to help you navigate Florida\u2019s unique housing market and find the ideal home away from home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s Diverse Housing Market Benefits Travel Nurses<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Travel<\/p>\n

From lively urban areas to tranquil coastal communities, Florida accommodates various lifestyle choices, allowing individuals to balance a demanding career with personal fulfillment. However, securing affordable travel nurse housing in Florida can still be challenging, especially in the state\u2019s more desirable locations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tourist-heavy areas like Orlando and popular coastal cities like Miami typically have competitive rental markets. Luckily, many property owners cater to the sizable tourist market by offering short-term, fully furnished rentals, which can also benefit healthcare travelers on temporary assignments. However, these accommodations typically come at a higher cost compared to traditional leases.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be sure your housing stipend (if you qualify) or your salary covers the inflated short-term rental prices and leaves you with a livable wage. Also, ensure the property owner is willing to offer a lease that matches the duration of your assignment so you\u2019re not scrambling for alternate housing midway through your contract.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost of Living Considerations for Transient Nurses<\/b><\/h3>\n

Unlike another popular sunny state on the opposite coast, Florida is a significantly less expensive option based on the overall cost of living. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Florida ranked as the <\/span>16th most expensive state<\/span><\/a> during the first quarter of 2024, with a cost of living 3.1% higher than the national average. On the West Coast, California ranked as the 2nd most expensive\u2014up from 3rd place at the end of 2023\u2014and had a cost of living 45% higher than the national average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s cost of living fluctuates by location, but coastal versus non-coastal isn\u2019t necessarily the deciding factor like in other states where living costs are cheaper the further inland you go. Some coastal cities in Florida offer reasonable living costs, such as\u00a0 Pensacola, where the <\/span>cost of living is 11% lower<\/span><\/a> than the national average and 13% less than the Florida average per Sperling\u2019s Best Places.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternatively, popular non-coastal cities like Orlando are more expensive due to the tourist draw. Orlando is Florida\u2019s most populous inland city, with the cost of living 6% higher than the national average and 2.8% more than the state average. However, these rates are still extremely low compared to many urban areas in many states and less than other tourist-centric locations in Florida.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, <\/span>living in Miami<\/span><\/a> while on assignment can be expensive. This coastal city is a major tourist draw with some of the most popular beaches and nightlife. Its cost of living is nearly 19% more than the national average and 15.3% higher than the state average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s statewide average housing cost is only 8.4% higher than the national average, but these costs fluctuate throughout the state. Don\u2019t forget to factor in utilities. Florida\u2019s statewide average is just 5.9% more than the national norm.<\/span><\/p>\n

To give you an idea of the varying housing costs in popular metros, we turned to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development\u2019s (HUD) Office of Policy Development and Research to compare <\/span>Fair Market Rents (FMRs) data for 2024<\/span><\/a>. The following table provides an overview of the FMRs for one-bedroom and two-bedroom accommodations in 10 popular metropolitan areas.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Metro Area<\/b><\/td>\nOne-Bedroom Housing Cost<\/b><\/td>\nTwo-Bedroom Housing Cost<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Villages<\/span><\/td>\n$951<\/span><\/td>\n$1,250<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent<\/span><\/td>\n$1,098<\/span><\/td>\n$1,278<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach<\/span><\/td>\n$1,152<\/span><\/td>\n$1,413<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tallahassee<\/span><\/td>\n$1,183<\/span><\/td>\n$1,339<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jacksonville<\/span><\/td>\n$1,354<\/span><\/td>\n$1,604<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater<\/span><\/td>\n$1,562<\/span><\/td>\n$1,851<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton<\/span><\/td>\n$1,573<\/span><\/td>\n$1,851<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford<\/span><\/td>\n$1,638<\/span><\/td>\n$1,857<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fort Lauderdale<\/span><\/td>\n$1,692<\/span><\/td>\n$2,102<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall<\/span><\/td>\n$1,884<\/span><\/td>\n$2,324<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

With an overall cost of living that\u2019s only slightly above the U.S. average, a travel nurse\u2019s salary goes further in this popular locale compared to some. However, the average wage of Florida travel contracts generally takes this into account with lower housing stipends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/b>How Travel Nurse Housing Stipends Work<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

According to Vivian\u2019s salary data on July 24, 2024, the <\/span>average salary for travel nurses in Florida<\/span><\/a> was $1,947 weekly\u20148% lower than the national average. Conversely, <\/span>California\u2019s average travel nurse wage<\/span><\/a> was $2,399 per week\u201412% higher than the norm\u2014to help offset the state\u2019s higher cost of living. Travel contracts within a state should also factor in higher living costs. For example, <\/span>average travel nurse wages in Miami<\/span><\/a> on this date was $2,045, while <\/span>Pensacola\u2019s average pay<\/span><\/a> was $1,834.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seasonal Variations and Short-Term Housing Challenges<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

In popular states like Florida, the demand for housing fluctuates not only by location but also by season. When temporary tourists flock to the state during spring breaks and summer vacations, the availability and pricing for short-term rentals may be impacted. However, even winter months in a state with year-round warm weather can prove challenging for temporary housing seekers. In the winter, Florida sees an influx of snowbirds\u2014retirees escaping colder climates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Travel nurses looking for short-term housing during peak seasons may find some of their go-to options in short supply, such as longer stays at Airbnb rentals or alternative housing options like extended-stay hotels. While travelers may want to plan their assignments during off-peak periods when demand for housing might be lower, finding 13 consecutive weeks of \u201coff-peak\u201d time in the Sunshine State is its own unique challenge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, you must negotiate the terms of your short-term lease to include a flexible end date to accommodate the uncertainty of assignment durations, such as mutually agreed-upon extensions. Finding property owners willing to agree to an open-ended checkout can be difficult. Plus, month-to-month leases often come at a premium, with prices potentially rising even more during seasonal peaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 Tips for Securing Short-Term Housing\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Navigating the housing market in Florida requires strategic planning and resourcefulness to find an ideal short-term accommodation. Here are some actionable tips for securing housing that meets your professional and personal needs while on assignment:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Expand Your Search to Maximize Flexibility:<\/b> Be open to all types of housing options, such as renting a room in a house, subletting or serviced apartments with flexible lease terms. You might even consider finding a roommate, preferably one who\u2019s already secured housing during your contract dates.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Explore Areas Further Away. <\/b>If you don\u2019t mind a short commute, look for housing slightly outside popular areas where rents might be lower. For example, if your contract is in Miami, consider one of the many nearby suburbs.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Tour Properties Remotely. <\/b>Travelers often can\u2019t view rental properties in person, but you must be able to assess potential housing options before committing. See if the property owner can provide a virtual tour or detailed photos of the rental. Scour online platforms with honest reviews of rentals you\u2019re considering.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Check with Local Realtors.<\/b> Some real estate agencies offer rentals, including short-term solutions. Even if they don\u2019t, they know the local housing market. They may be able to point you in the right direction, such as property owners who are more accommodating to temporary residents.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Network with Other Nurses:<\/b> Other travel nurses can often provide leads on housing in areas they\u2019ve previously worked. Online forums and social media groups dedicated to travel nursing are invaluable for sharing tips and rental leads.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Utilize Specialty Housing Platforms. <\/b>Several online platforms are dedicated to short-term housing, including a few specifically for healthcare professionals. Many property owners offering short-term leases prefer hosting travel nurses because they\u2019re typically among the best tenants, so use your career to your advantage.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Prioritize Safety and Convenience. <\/b>While you want to secure affordable housing, always ensure the location is safe. If you can\u2019t find a rental near work, try to at least locate something close to essential services like grocery stores, banks and public transportation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

    \"Looking<\/p>\n

    For travel nurses seeking housing in Florida, several <\/span>specialized housing websites<\/span><\/a> can be invaluable resources. These platforms meet the needs of healthcare professionals on temporary assignments, offering a range of furnished, flexible-term rental options. Check out these key resources:<\/span><\/p>\n