Whether you’re relocating from across the country or just across town, these resources will help you secure housing ahead of service.
Find housing before you start service
You’re required to be living in the state of Florida by your the first day of service. This will allow you to focus on building relationships with your teammates, immerse yourself in training and adjust to your new neighborhood before the school year begins.
When to start looking
It is important to start looking for housing beginning as early as April. Often, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Miami’s start date is late July to early August, so it is important to try to get a lease that starts prior to the start date.
Deciding where to live
All the schools that Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ partners with are in North Miami, Central Miami and South Miami. Not knowing school placements will not impact your ability to secure housing.
When deciding school placement, we consider where our AmeriCorps member live to ensure an easier commute to their assigned location.
Recommended Neighborhoods:
- Allapattah
- Cutler Bay
- Downtown Miami
- Homestead
- Liberty City
- Little Haiti
- Little Havana
- North Miami
- South Miami
- Upper Eastside
- West Little River
Finding roommates
Confirmed AmeriCorps members will be added to the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Miami Facebook Page so they’ll be able to connect with fellow AmeriCorps members who also may need housing or roommates.
Budgeting for housing
The average rent is around $800 – $1,100 per room
Members find housing through online posting sites, word of mouth and sometimes on the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Facebook group (current members advertising their apartments). Postings should outline who to contact to learn more about the property, costs and lease terms.
When renting an apartment, ask about the following fees as they frequently apply.
- Broker’s fee – typically one month’s rent or a percentage or the annual lease
- Security deposit – typically one month’s rent, returned at the end of the lease if the property’s condition is maintained
- First month’s rent – typically due upon signing of the lease agreement
- Last month’s rent – may be requested upon signing of the lease agreement
Some utilities are included in the price of rent, so be sure to ask your landlord. When viewing apartments, most landlords or current tenants will gladly tell you the average price of utilities, so don’t be afraid to ask. It is also helpful to ask what utilities the house uses, such as gas or electric heat. Some units and buildings include laundry, for free or a cost, while others are located near laundromats.
Learn more about your bi-weekly stipend and the various benefits – both during and after service.
Whether you’re new to our city or have lived in Miami for several years, there are always new and exciting things to experience here.
Looking for more resources and information? We’ve got you covered.