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Best Housing Options for US Immigrants

In this blog, we'll explore the best housing choices for immigrants, share expert tips, and answer common questions to make your search easier.

blog-author David A. Keller, Esq.

Key takeaways

Short-term housing can help you land in the U.S. quickly while you learn neighborhoods and local rental norms.
U.S. landlords often ask for ID, proof of income, rental history, and (when available) U.S. credit—alternative documentation may help.
Guarantors/co-signers and higher security deposits can be common solutions when credit history is limited.
Use reputable rental platforms and verify listings to reduce scam risk, especially on peer-to-peer marketplaces.
Buying a home is possible for many immigrants, but credit history, down payment planning, and lender selection are key.

Lease requirements and rules in the US

Renting a home or apartment in the US as an immigrant involves n...ditional considerations and potential challenges to be aware of.

Let’s take a look at the requirements to lease an apartment in the US:

Requirement	What you need
Identification and Legal Status	Proof of Identity: You'll need a valid ID, such as a passport or driver's license. Legal Status: Be ready to show your visa, Green Card, or work permit. Note: It is illegal for landlords to discriminate based on nationalit... they are legally allowed to ask about your immigration status.
Credit History	Landlords often check your credit. If you don't have US credi... be required to find a guarantor like Rhino or TheGuarantors .
Income Verification	Proof of Income: Show pay stubs, a job offer, or bank statements to prove you can pay the rent. Tip: Often US landlords do not accept foreign pay st...’s still worth showing them to build your overall credibility. Employment History: A stable job history helps, even if it's from your home country.
Savings as proof	If you don’t have a job or are in between the jobs, you can s...0,000 in savings. Requirements vary from landlord to landlord.
Rental Application	Application Fee: Expect to pay a fee for processing your application. Usually around $25-50. Tip: Many cities have a cap on the amount of applica...ndlord is allowed to collect. For example, in NYC its max $25. Form: You'll fill out a form with your personal info, job details, and references.
Lease Agreement	Understand the Terms: Make sure you fully understand the lease. Get help if you need it translated.
Security Deposit	Usually 1-2 months' rent.
Co-signer or Guarantor	If your credit or income is insufficient, or you don’t meet c...tain requirements as an immigrant, you might need a co-signer. Check out Rhino and TheGuarantors if you need help.
Background Check	Landlords might check your criminal record using internationa...records it's best to disclose those upfront to your landlord.

Short term rental options

Short-term housing is perfect for immigrants who need a place ...ttled in your new city and look for a permanent place to live.

Pros of Short-Term Housing

Flexibility: Rent on a month-to-month basis, giving you the ...es, and neighborhoods before committing to a long-term home.
Furnished Options: Move into a fully furnished space, so you don’t have to worry about buying furniture right away.
All-Inclusive: Some short-term housing options provide utilities, Wi-Fi, and maintenance services included in your rent.
Book Ahead: Find a place to stay ahead of your arrival in the US, allowing you to move stress-free
Easier to get approved . Traditional landlords typically req...ters applications from international renters and immigrants.

Cons of Short-Term Housing

Higher Cost: These rentals can be more expensive per month compared to long-term leases.
Temporary Solution: You’ll eventually need to find a more permanent home, which means moving again.

Best short term rental sites

June

June is one of the top choices for US immigrants looking for f...convenient if you’re still abroad, or just arriving in the US.

June offers studio, one-bedroom and multi bedroom apartment le...t for you. You can learn more about how June Home works here (https://junehomes.com/how-it-works).

Additionally, qualifying for June is easier compared to other ...ccept foreign credit, foreign bank statements, and guarantors.

Benefits of June:

Easier to get approved: June accepts bank statements or proof ...ndlords who usually don’t recognize foreign income or savings.
Flexible leases: You can rent for 1-18 months and choose to extend your lease at any time.
Furnished or unfurnished spaces: You can choose to rent any home fully furnished and equipped, or unfurnished.
Shared or entire homes: You can choose to live with roommates, or alone.
Resident services: Easily submit maintenance requests and get 24/7 support through the Resident Portal.

June Homes has apartments and homes to rent in New York City, .... Check out their website for any updates on new cities added.

Get pre-approved to instantly book a home with June. Start the application process here (https://junehomes.com/sign-up?from=preapproval&next=%2Fjourney).

Blueground

Blueground is another great option for US immigrants looking f...i, smart home entertainment systems, and dedicated workspaces.

You can view the latest apartment listings online and book you... choice for immigrants who prefer more upscale rental options.

Benefits of Blueground:

Fully furnished apartments: No need to worry about buying furniture or household items.
Flexible leases: Rent month-to-month if you want to explore the neighborhood or city, before committing long-term.
All inclusive amenities: Rent includes utilities, Wi-Fi, and m...ocus on settling in without the hassle of setting up services.
24/7 support: Get help whenever you need it with the Blueground mobile app.

Blueground offers apartments in major US cities including New ...an Francisco, Chicago, Washington, Boston, Seattle, and Miami.

Website: https://www.theblueground.com/

Landing

Landing offers a unique membership-based network of furnished ... neighborhoods and aren’t yet settled on a permanent location.

Finding a furnished apartment through Landing is simple and co...dergo a background and credit check to qualify for membership.

With the Landing membership , you gain access to a range of be... environments and communities as you adjust to life in the US.

Benefits of Landing:

No security deposit or application fee: Unlike many other shor...equire residents to pay security deposits or application fees.
Flexible leases: While Landing offers short-term leases, they also provide the option for longer stays.
Ability to move locations: Once you’re a Landing member, you c...er apartment within their network with just a 2 weeks’ notice.
Tech powered: From check in, cleaning, to maintenance requests, you can do it all from the Landing app.

Landing has apartments across over 375+ cities in the U.S., in...Angeles, and more. Check out their website to see all cities .

Website: https://www.hellolanding.com/ (membership: https://www.hellolanding.com/membership)

Furnished Quarters

If you're looking for a short-term, furnished apartment with a...d modern amenities to make your stay comfortable and convenient.

Plus, with 24/7 on-demand support, you can easily handle maint...ts, and more, enhancing your stay with added perks and benefits.

Benefits of Furnished Quarters:

All-Inclusive Living: Fully furnished apartments with modern d...ns feature added perks like fitness centers, pools, and lounges.
Luxurious, Yet Cost-Effective: Rates are 30-50% lower than average hotel prices.
Flexible lease terms: Choose from short and long term rentals to match your needs.
Apartment types: Find everything from studios to large 3 bedroom apartments.
Additional perks: On-demand support, maintenance, and more.

Furnished Quarters offers short term apartments in New York Cit...ken, Jersey City, Stamford, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley.

Bungalow

Woman holding sign that reads "subletting"

Bungalow is a great option for US immigrants looking for fully furnished room rentals and shared homes.

It offers flexible leases, easy online booking, and roommate matching to help newcomers find affordable housing quickly.

Benefits of Bungalow:

Furnished rooms: Move in without buying furniture.
Flexible leases: Short and medium-term options.
Roommate matching: Helps simplify shared housing.
Utilities included: Often bundled into pricing.
Online booking: Easy approvals and digital process.

Sublets

Sublets are a common way to find short-term housing in many US cities, especially for immigrants who need flexibility.

You can often rent a room or apartment from an existing tenant for a temporary period.

Sublets can help you avoid strict landlord requirements like US credit history or long-term leases.

However, it’s important to verify the arrangement and ensure the sublet is legal under the building’s rules and local laws.

Craigslist apartments and houses

Craigslist can be a helpful place to find apartments, rooms, and sublets—especially in large cities with active housing markets.

But it’s also a platform where scams are common, so you should verify listings, avoid wiring money, and never pay before seeing a place.

When used carefully, Craigslist can uncover deals that aren’t listed on more traditional rental platforms.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace can be another useful tool for finding rentals, rooms, and sublets in the US.

Many listings are posted directly by landlords or tenants, and you can message them quickly through Facebook.

As with Craigslist, you should be cautious of scams and verify legitimacy before paying anything.

It can be particularly useful for immigrants because many communities and local groups share housing options there.

Rent a home

Renting a home as a US immigrant is an exciting step towards mak...d the flexibility to explore different neighborhoods and cities.

Plus, it's a great way to settle in and build a sense of communi...ons like furnished short-term housing or buying a home outright.

However, there are some challenges you might encounter along the...n documents to verify your identity, income, and rental history.

Here are some documents you may need as a US immigrant when renting a home:

Document	What it’s for
Proof of Identity	Government-issued photo ID like your passport, driver's license, or visa.
Proof of Income	Pay stubs, employment verification letters, or bank statements. US income has to be 3x monthly rent or 60x monthly rent in savings.
Proof of prior leases	References from past landlords show you’re a reliable tenant, an...tory, proof of prior leases can help establish your credibility.
Rental History	Rental references or a report of your past rental history to see how reliable you've been with payments.
Credit Report	If you have limited or no credit history in the US, this could be a challenge. While there's no fixed credit score requirement for renting, hav...ng a score of 670 or higher will make it easier to get approved.
Security Deposit	Most landlords require a security deposit upfront to cover any potential damages to the property. This amount can vary.

Keller Law Group. Learn more on www.kellerlaw.com

Despite these challenges, renting a home as a US immigrant is de...e necessary documents ready, and don't hesitate to ask for help.

Tip: Don’t have a US credit score yet? Some landlords...ncome through pay stubs, employment letters, or bank statements.

Tips for US immigrants looking to rent a home

Our top tip for US immigrants is to start with a short-term r... market better before committing to a longer-term arrangement.

Here are some more tips to help make the process smoother if you are looking to rent a home:

Build Credit History: Open a US bank account once you arrive ...n someone else's credit card to start building credit history.
Provide Alternative Documentation: If you lack traditional in...statements, employer letters, or previous landlord references.
Seek Assistance: Get help from community organizations, immig...navigating the rental process and understanding tenant rights.
Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with fair housing laws...ination based on race, national origin, or immigration status.

If you need help navigating the rental process and ensuring y...reach out to our team of immigration lawyers at Keller Law Group.

Buy a home

Buying a home is a big step towards achieving stabili...cial Security number or proving residency, can be challenging.

However, many immigrants successfully buy homes in the US every year, and there are strategies to help you overcome these obstacles.

Tips for US immigrants looking to buy a home

Here are some tips to help you overcome challenges and successfully buy a home as a US immigrant:

Build Credit History: Use credit responsibly and make timely p...you qualify for a mortgage and secure more favorable loan terms.
Save for a Down Payment: Start saving early for a bigger down ...p you secure better loan terms and reduce your monthly payments.
Research Loan Options: Explore mortgage programs specifically ...d by lenders who specialize in working with immigrant borrowers.
Seek Professional Guidance: Consult with a real estate agent, ...gh the home buying process and help you understand your options.

For personalized guidance and support throughout the home buyi...navigate legal challenges and can ensure your rights are secure.

Take the First Step:

Request an evaluation

Discuss the visa options of interest to you
General information about timelines, fees, requirements for various visa options
Information on Keller fees, terms and process
Full clarity and transparency every step along the way

Request a consultation

David A. Keller, Esq.

Principal attorney at Keller Law Group

In this blog article:

Lease requirements and rules in the US
Short term rental options
Best short term rental sites
June
Furnished Quarters
Bungalow
Sublets
Craigslist apartments and houses
Facebook Marketplace
Rent a home
Tips for US immigrants looking to rent a home
Buy a home
Tips for US immigrants looking to buy a home
Frequently asked questions

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