Planning Your Summer? 14 Pieces Of Essential J1 Accommodation Knowledge

Every J1er needs a little bit of guidance. A summer in the States with friends/acquaintances/people you barely know can be a daunting prospect, especially if you're broke, clueless and totally underprepared... But don't despair! Here are a few pieces of essential information to help you with your accommodation decisions and increase your chances of survival:

1) Choose Your Roommates Wisely

We’ve all heard the horror stories: 10 people, 1 bedroom, far too many air mattresses. This one is a given.

2) Book In Advance

High demand, low supply. Booking in advance relieves any uncertainty about having somewhere to sleep when you arrive at your destination. If you look hard enough and start your search in good time, before all the best places get snapped up, you could hit the jackpot. You'll be sure to save a bitta cash too. Realistically, you're not gonna do this though, which leads to our next point...

3) Cherish Your Time In The Hostel

Since the dawn of time, the J1 gods have ordained that the first week must be spent in a cheap motel/hostel, as you desperately seek out more permanent accommodation. Ok so it's not the Hilton, but it will probably be a palace compared to the place you end up for the rest of the summer.

J1ers have a bad reputation when it comes to this sort of thing, so don’t expect your security deposit back. Regardless what condition you leave the house in, you will not win this war.

5) Cash Is King

You'll need a few bucks when you arrive, to pay for a hostel, make your first down payment on a house, bail your friends out of jail after the first night out, etc. Bring plenty... Better safe than sorry.

6) Student Credit Card

A credit card can be extremely useful while traveling abroad, as it gives you total freedom and saves you from having to carry large amounts of cash or hide wads of bills under your mattress. Safety, convenience and security are all extremely important during the summer, so don't take any chances and get yourself a credit card before you go. My advice: Bank Of Ireland offer a great deal on their Student Credit Card, including a very important extra...

7) Travel Insurance

This is a gamble you don't want to take! If you arrive home after a summer of good, clean fun and you're perfectly healthy, you might feel like you wasted a couple of quid. On the flipside, if anything does happen to you, you'll be glad you spent the money. Like, anywhere between $100 and $10,000 glad. No offense to our people, but students are a pretty unpredictable demographic. Bank Of Ireland also offer free Travel Insurance with their Student Credit Card, as long as you have a student current account with them. Trips up to 120 days are covered. Check out their page and be smart... Take the deal, don't take the risk. It's not worth it.

8) Keep An Eye Out For Empty College Dorms

Check out college housing offices, campus websites and university bulletin boards for summer sub-lets or individual dorm rentals. Loads of college dorms lie empty during the summer and can often be the perfect home away from home for visiting students in need of practical and affordable accommodation.

9) Beware Of Scam Artists

There's no easier target than a bunch of culchies with pockets full of cash, wandering around a (proper) big city for the first time in their lives. Be on the lookout for criminals, crooks and conmen.

10) Watch The Facebook Groups

Over the next few months, dedicated J1 Facebook groups will begin to sprout up among your social circles. Keep an eye out for fellow J1ers posting about accommodation. There should be a few opportunities to occupy an available spare room, or even an individual who could complete your dream-house with the perfect numbers. If you've got a small enough group, this is a good way to keep your costs to a minimum. Just make sure they're sound first - living with a stranger can make or break your summer!

11) Craigslist: Friend or Foe?

This one is tricky - it could either save your life or take up hours of your day while you search for something suitable. It's basically a lottery.

12) Location, Location, Location

Tip #1: Avoid the Ghetto
Tip #2: Live near a public transport system
Tip #3: Avoid the Ghetto

13) Ask Around For Recommendations

Ask colleagues from your workplace or anybody local you come across in the first few days. They know this city much better than you could and could probably help you out with any accommodation decisions you have to make. Better yet, they might know somewhere available themselves. If you get along with this person, your chances of getting a mate's rate are improved - who wouldn't prefer renting to someone they know, like and trust?!

14) Don't spend the whole summer in one place

Definitely travel towards the end of the summer, preferably after you've made a bit of money. Rent a car and hop from city to city, seeing as much of the place as you possibly can. Hitchhike if you have to, just don't come home having seen nothing but the inside of your local bar!