Housing

Key Rule to Remember
The cost of housing depends on the location—the more remote, the cheaper. Tourist-packed resort towns, where many students and tourists stay, offer student housing, but it's not free. On average, expect to pay $100-150 per person per week.

Important Housing Notes
Resort towns usually have accommodations not just for tourists but also for students. The difference lies in price and quality.

What to expect?
Housing is often a house or a section of it (like a floor) with apartments, a shared living room, a kitchen, and bathrooms depending on the number of bedrooms (1, 2, 3, 4+). Each bedroom typically accommodates 2-3 beds. Expect white walls, gray carpeting, a TV, sofa, chairs, kitchenware, a microwave (almost always), beds, pillows, and very affordable linens.

How to Search for Housing

1. Ask around: Start by asking everyone—coworkers, fellow students, or anyone you meet. You may not find something on the first day, but don’t worry.
2. Short-term motel stays: If nothing turns up, split the cost of a budget motel room with others and rent it by the week (cheaper than paying for seven separate nights).
3. Check signs and agencies: Walk around looking for "For Rent" signs on houses or visit local real estate agencies. Note that agencies often list pricier tourist accommodations or entire apartments, requiring upfront payment for the whole summer (e.g., $3,000–5,000). While this can be split among 7-8 people for a low per-person cost, it requires gathering everyone and the money upfront.

Best Option
It’s often better to join a place where students are already living and pay weekly. To save money, some students might share spaces to an extreme degree, reducing costs to as little as $40 per week instead of $60. However, this depends on your comfort level with tight living arrangements.

Deposits and Potential Issues
Landlords may require a deposit for furniture or potential damages, usually $100-200. Often, landlords are reluctant to return the deposit since minor damages or wear-and-tear are common. However, if no damage occurs, your deposit can typically be applied to your final weeks’ rent.

Additional Resources
Check out related forum discussions for more tips and advice.