How to Choose a Long Term Airbnb

Choosing where you’ll stay is an important part of long term travel planning. A long term Airbnb allows you to have a home base and feel more comfortable. But, you need to make sure you choose a stay that will meet your needs. Here are some things you need to look into when choosing a long term Airbnb.

Discounts

Airbnbs are great for long term travel because they tend to be cheaper than a hotel. Plus, if you stay for a longer time, you’ll probably get an even lower rate. Most hosts have discounts for staying a full week. But, if you stay at least a month, the discounts get even steeper.

We’ve had Airbnbs that are 20-40% off their normal rate because we’ve stayed longer than a month. So make sure you are getting a decent discount for your long term stay.

Narrowing down units

When you are searching the website, Airbnb lets you narrow down units by certain criteria. This makes it easier to search through the many options available.

Before you settle on a specific apartment, make sure you do some research into possible locations in your area. Research each neighborhood in your city and make sure they would be a good place to spend a significant period of time. Check that they are safe. Being close to restaurants, grocery stores, and public transportation can also make a long term stay more enjoyable.

I find it’s best to find a neighborhood or two that meets my needs. This way you have a little flexibility once you start looking. You can compare individual apartments available in each neighborhood and choose from there.

Filter by price to make sure you stay within your budget. I like to set the range to be slightly under to slightly above my desired range. This gives more flexibility in seeing what is available.

If you are staying for a couple weeks or longer, it is highly recommended that you book the entire place for yourself. This will give you the privacy you need.

Amenities for long term

When you stay in an Airbnb for only a day or two, amenities may not be as big of a deal. However, if you are staying for a longer time, certain amenities can really make your stay more comfortable.

Top amenities for long term stays:

Washer
Dryer (not necessary, but you may prefer it)
Coffee maker
TV
Desk (especially if you plan on working)
Air conditioner (depending on location and season)

Read the reviews carefully

The easiest way to gauge the quality of a rental is to look at the reviews. It can give you valuable insights into what it is actually like to stay there.

In addition, you can use the reviews to answer some other questions:

How long have they been hosting?
Do the reviews seem genuine?
Is it a comfortable place?

Pay close attention to any reviews that mention they stayed a long time. They will probably have been looking for a similar experience to what you want.

Chat with the host

If you will be staying in a rental for a month or more, it can be helpful to chat with the host before you finish booking. This is the ideal time to ask any lingering questions. (For instance, some travelers may need to make sure that internet speeds are reliable.)

It also helps you get a feel for the host. Are they friendly and helpful? Will it be a pleasant experience renting from them?

Final thoughts

Choosing an Airbnb for a long term stay can be a bit complicated. It needs to meet your needs and work for a longer time period. But, with a little bit of investigation, you can find a rental that will be your perfect home away from home.