Hatrack River Forum: International non-student housing

This is topic International non-student housing in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=050718

Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :

I was going to save my 1000th post for my landmark, but it can be an odd number. [Smile]

I have a friend who is visiting from Germany for 3 months. He's not a student, but he's just finishing his master thesis in computer science.

I'm trying to figure out where he could stay. We have no room at my house, and he can't stay in a hotel for 3 months...

A large issue is the fact that as an alien, he doesn't have any credit history, available background check (i think he doesn't), or anything like that to prove his worthiness for an apartment. He's got letters of recommendation and a reply from Microsofts Employee Referral Program, so that should help, although proving funds is still a must.

Either way, I'm confused as to what to do, who to talk to etc. Can Hatrackers help me out? [Smile]

Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :

Is he going to be in western WA? (guessing based on your location and "Microsoft") Can he communicate effectively in English?

If so, and if he wouldn't mind subletting, and you vouch for him, I'm betting I could find him a place here. Otherwise, I'd definitely recommend checking the rooms/shared and sublets/temporary section of Craigslist.

Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :

Couchsurfing wooooooo

Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :

I think 3 months is a bit long to couch surf in one location. Unless you're recommending he crash while he looks for a place to live locally.

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

If he can pay all the rent up front (which is really only one month more than first and last month's rent) then most apartment managers will consider him worth of an apartment. [Smile]

Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :

don't you people have hostels?

Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :

quote:
I think 3 months is a bit long to couch surf in one location. Unless you're recommending he crash while he looks for a place to live locally.

Either that or, if push comes to shove, you can use the network in a cyclical fashion and/or search for people needing housesitting.

Not that, on the whole, it's likely to be hard for him to find an apartment.

Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Kama:
don't you people have hostels?

I stayed at a hostel once in Moab, Utah, but other than that, not really.