One of the most commonly asked questions after participants have received their J-1 Visa is: How do I find housing in the U.S.?
Finding housing in a new country can be challenging. While InterExchange is unable to offer individualized housing assistance to participants in all parts of the U.S., we offer comprehensive housing resources on our website.
We recently surveyed current participants about their housing search, gaining insights into the types of housing most frequently utilized by J-1 participants, the most commonly used resources in the U.S., and common challenges international students encounter. They also shared tips for those just beginning their own housing search. Read on to learn more!
Housing Types
There are a variety of housing types available in the U.S. including short-term rentals like hotels or Airbnbs, or longer-term accommodation like apartments or houses that you can rent on your own or share with roommates. Of the 31 respondents to our survey, 50% rent a room in a shared house or apartment while 26.7% signed a lease for their own accommodation.
Search Resources
Finding suitable accommodation takes research. We asked our participants which resources they used to search for housing in the U.S. The most common response? They utilized their network! Of the respondents, 23% used a recommendation from their host employer or a family member or friend.
A friend from the office suggested an apartment in a[n] area close to the office.
– Maria, Houston, TX
I’ve found my housing thanks to my host employer, who put me in touch with other interns that were looking for an apartment.
– Mario, Mount Pleasant, SC
My supervisor helped me a lot before I came to the U.S. He suggested websites where I could find a suitable house. Then, he contacted the suitable ones and asked whether we could rent them. We found a suitable place, rented it, and by the time I arrived in the U.S., my accommodation was ready.
– Omer, Phoenix, AZ
A friend of a friend helped me out.
– Finlay, Los Angeles, CA
My host employer gave me recommendation[s] on what area [to] choose, where I could search. I visited many rooms before I found one that met my requirements.
– Cassandre, New York, NY
Of the online resources used, Apartments.com was the most popular, closely followed by Zillow and Facebook.
I joined a Facebook group and made a post saying that I was looking for a private room and bath, but I also looked in apartments.com where I found great options. I ended up choosing the place where I live now because it was located in a better area, but all the options were really good.
– Gabriela, Baltimore, MD
My friends and I looked for a townhouse on Zillow. We went on a few visits and found a place within 2 weeks of arriving in the U.S.
– Nicholas, Chicago, IL
[I] looked on apartments.com and got help from a realtor to lock in the lease I wanted.
– Victoria, Dallas, TX
I asked [for] help from former interns who interned at the same company and that led me to AmberStudent where I was assigned to a person who actually helped me find a good place.
– Nudrat, New York, NY
Challenges
When asked about the challenges they faced during their housing search, our participants consistently mentioned three.
- Price of Housing: Rental rates in the U.S. are often high, especially if you’ll be in a large city like New York. You may also be required to pay upfront costs like a deposit, application fee, or 1-2 months of rent. Use our budgeting & cost of living guide to help manage your finances and plan for the required settling-in costs. If you find you need additional funds, we also include ideas for funding sources!
- Providing Documentation: When you find an apartment you’d like to rent, you’ll have to gather documents to submit with your application, and many landlords will ask for your credit score. This can be a challenge for international participants who don’t have credit history in the U.S., but you can plan for this. If you’re asked for your credit score, explain to the landlord that you are a J-1 exchange visitor without U.S. credit history and see if they can waive this requirement. They may ask for a larger deposit (budget for this possibility) or a guarantor, who is someone who co-signs the lease with you and is financially responsible if you are unable to pay. Speak with your parents or other relatives in advance to make sure you have a guarantor ready, if required. Check out other document requirements and tips in our housing resources.
- Scams and Safety Concerns: Participants highlighted the prevalence of scams and the challenge of finding safe, legitimate housing from overseas. With many housing scams online, it’s important to stay vigilant when starting your search. To avoid scams, we highly recommend that you plan to stay at a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb when you first arrive in the U.S. This will allow you to visit potential housing in-person and meet the landlord and any potential roommates. Touring apartments in-person helps to ensure the housing meets your expectations and requirements and is safer than sending money over the internet for housing you’ve never seen. We have additional tips for avoiding scams on our website.
Housing Search Recommendations
Having gone through the housing search process, we asked our participants what tips they have for those just starting out. They had a number of recommendations ranging from using your connections to looking in-person.
Tip #1: Give yourself plenty of time. Finding suitable housing will take research and you should begin the preliminary search process before you get to the U.S. This includes researching potential neighborhoods, preparing your documents, and setting-up apartment tours for your first few days in the country.
Take your time for the research. It’s necessary to have a good place to stay. Also make sure it is a safe neighborhood. You don’t want to compromise on that one.
– Nudrat, New York, NY
I would recommend them to search for accommodation early even before entering the U.S. That might help them to avoid last minute hurdles.
– Thamilmaran, Sharon, MA
Define which area and what budget, visit before making a decision, prepare the required documents in advance.
– Cassandre, New York, NY
Get your documents ready: a credit score, taxes, or guarantor.
– Gabriela, Brooklyn, NY
Start to look early and make use of any possible connections that you have.
– Lara, Washington, DC
Tip #2: Utilize your connections. As you begin your research, get insight from those who live in the area. This may mean using social media or reaching out to friends or family members. Your host company is also a great resource! We highly recommend asking your supervisor for recommendations near the office.
I think it is very important to talk to friends or colleagues to share opinions and get advice from people who live there.
– Niccolo, Charleston, SC
Listen to recommendations and ask for help from people who already live in that city.
– Daiana, Pittsburgh, PA
Find a place close to the office, use Facebook, whatsapp groups, talk to people.
– Maria, Washington, DC
My advice is that if they have someone who can assist them here, such as a friend, family member, or supervisor, they should try to arrange preliminary meetings before coming to the U.S.
– Omer, Phoenix, AZ
Use the company as a main contact.
– Pautet, Easton, PA
Tip #3: Remain diligent as you’re searching. Many of our participants recommend waiting to secure housing until you’re able to visit potential places in-person. It’s best to find temporary housing like a hotel or hostel for your first few weeks in the U.S. to give yourself time to tour apartments.
First use [a] hotel and stay temporarily, and take a look [in-person].
– Hyunsoo, San Diego, CA
My recommendation is to go to the neighborhood, check the restaurants, grocery stores and pharmacies near the place you are looking for. Also check the accessibility and distance to public transport such as buses, metro and trains.
– Nicholas, Chicago, IL
Patience, really [be] careful before signing, and [be] brave.
– Valentine, New York, NY
Have someone in person go look or wait until you can, pictures can be deceiving online.
– Victoria, Dallas, TX
Finding housing for your J-1 program may be daunting at first, but we recommend you take the advice of Finlay in Los Angeles, CA: “Understand it might not be easy but also might not be forever.” Start searching early, tour places in-person, and utilize our housing resources, and you’ll have a place to stay in no time. Best of luck with your search!
