Accommodation in the United States of America
Immigrating to the United States of America
A simple guide to help you get there and set yourself up on arrival
Finding accommodation in America is a relatively simple task if you are willing to put in some effort. In the bigger cities, you will
have better luck finding a single bedroom in a shared apartment- even if it is only for a short time.
When you first arrive,
find somewhere cheap to stay while you search for an apartment. Hostels and couch surfing are good options.
To increase your
chances of finding accommodation, follow these rules:
- Find the best sources of accommodation in the area you intend to live.
Craigslist (www.craigslist.com) is often the best source as it is free and therefore attracts more people who are advertising rooms.
-
Apply for as many rooms as you can. Keep your application simple, assuring the reader that you are financially stable, trustworthy,
and that you meet the requirements in their ad. Don't bother lying- you'll just be wasting your own time.
- Advertise yourself
in the 'wanted' section. Don't wait around for people to contact you, though- you'll have better luck applying directly to people
who are advertising rooms themselves.
- Go to as many inspections as you can. Be safe, though. Go with a friend if possible,
and don't go anywhere that you're unsure of after dark. You might even like to go on Google Maps and check out the street view of
the area before setting off.
- Find a way to connect with the people advertising the flat. They will have lots of applications,
so they'll be more likely to give the room to somebody that they like and trust.
- Do your research on the neighborhood before accepting any offers. Is it safe? Will it be an easy commute to your place of work?
Are you getting good value for money?
- Be open-minded. You might not get exactly what you expected, but it needn't be forever.
Once
you have found a room, you can easily find furniture on Craigslist for a very low price- sometimes even for free. At certain times
of the year (for example, when school breaks up and a lot of people are moving away) you will find tons of furniture advertised for
free, or you may even see it on the streets. Be very wary, though. You don't want to pick up anything that may be infested with bedbugs.
Finding
a place to live may be a difficult and sometimes disheartening process. If you follow the guide above you will increase your chances
of finding the right place for you. In the meantime, you'll visit parts of the city that you otherwise might never have had the opportunity
to see, so enjoy the search!
For more great advice read our pages on work visas, education visas, finding accommodation and the visa waiver program.
