When searching for housing, it’s important to stay vigilant. Familiarize yourself with typical scam tactics and follow safety guidelines to ensure you’re dealing with legitimate landlords and listings. Here are some resources to help you identify trustworthy housing options and protect yourself from fraud.
Where to Start Your Housing Search
Temporary Housing
- Short-Term Stays: Options like Airbnb, extended-stay hotels, and local sublets are available.
Permanent Housing Options
- On-Campus Housing
- Off-Campus Housing:
- University Affiliated Listings
- Zillow
- Apartments.com
- HotPads
- Craigslist (be cautious of scams!)
- Facebook Marketplace
- Student Housing Sites (built for internationals)
Things to Know Before You Sign a Lease
- U.S. housing often requires:
- A security deposit (typically one month’s rent)
- A 12-month lease (shorter leases may cost more
- Credit check or a U.S.-based guarantor
- If you don’t have a credit history:
Avoiding Scams
- Be cautious of listings that seem unusually cheap—always verify the lease, confirm the listing is legitimate, and never send money upfront without touring the unit (virtually or in person) and having a signed contract.
- Be cautious of Craigslist or Facebook listings that ask for wire transfers or seem too good to be true
- Use secure platforms and double-check landlord credentials
- Report scams to the school housing office or local authorities
- Resources: Federal Trade Commission Rental Scam Guide
Roommate & Sublet Options
Furnishing & Moving In
Confirm move-in date, utility setup, and furniture status (many apartments are unfurnished!)
Furniture Rentals
- CORT Furniture Rental offers flexible rental packages for students, professionals, and families. They provide furniture for living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas, and home offices. Additional services include housewares and electronics rentals. They offer student discounts and flexible lease terms
- Fashion Furniture Rental provides stylish, ready-to-use furniture packages for short- and long-term needs. Their offerings include curated sets for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms, with optional add-ons like linens and kitchenware. They also provide delivery and setup services.
- Rent-A-Center offers rent-to-own furniture, electronics, and appliances with no credit required. They provide flexible payment options and carry a variety of furniture styles for different rooms. This can be a budget-friendly option for students or those needing short-term furnishings
Furniture Stores in Santa Clara, CA
Tip: Use Google Maps to find the nearest locations. Many of these stores offer in-store pickup or delivery!
Affordable & Student-Friendly Options
- IKEA (East Palo Alto or Emeryville) – Affordable, modern furniture with lots of storage solutions.
- Target (San Jose/Santa Clara) – Great for basic furniture like bookshelves, desks, and bed frames.
- Walmart (Santa Clara/San Jose) – Offers furniture online and in-store; best for budget buys.
- Big Lots (San Jose) – Discount home goods and furniture, often with bundle deals.
- Wayfair / Amazon / Overstock (Online, delivers locally) – Good for browsing a variety of styles, often with free shipping.
Mid-Range & Stylish
- Living Spaces (Milpitas / San Jose) – Trendy, high-quality furniture with financing options.
- Ashley Furniture (Milpitas / San Jose) – Well-known chain with modern and traditional options.
- Cost Plus World Market (San Jose / Mountain View) – Unique, globally-inspired furniture and decor.
Used & Sustainable Options
- Facebook Marketplace – Great for secondhand finds from locals (can often negotiate).
- Craigslist Bay Area – Search by area, and filter by “owner” for individual sellers.
- Goodwill / Salvation Army Thrift Stores – Affordable secondhand furniture, perfect for students or temporary stays.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Discounted gently-used furniture and proceeds go to a good cause.
Moving Truck
- U-Haul Moving & Storage of Santa Clara
- Offers a wide selection of in-town and one-way trucks and trailers, including cargo and enclosed trailers, utility trailers, car trailers, and motorcycle trailers.
- Budget Truck Rental – 2390 Lafayette Street
- Provides cargo vans and trucks in various sizes (12 ft, 16 ft, 26 ft) for personal and business use.
- Penske Truck Rental – 2380 Lafayette Street
- Offers personal and commercial truck rentals with 24/7 roadside assistance and moving supplies.
- Hertz Box Truck Rentals – 1000 Walsh Ave
- Provides box truck rentals suitable for various moving needs.
- Enterprise Truck Rental – San Jose
- Offers a range of trucks for personal and business use, located nearby in San Jose.
Storage Facilities
- Public Storage – Multiple Locations
- Offers a variety of storage unit sizes with options for climate control, vehicle storage, and more.
- Extra Space Storage – 2576 Scott Blvd
- Provides secure, affordable storage units with options for vehicle storage and promotional deals like first month free.
- West Coast Self-Storage – 2490 Lafayette St
- Features clean, secure units with various sizes and amenities.
- El Camino Self Storage
- Offers high-security, clean units with a range of sizes to fit different needs.
- Extra Storage – 2797 Scott Blvd
- Provides storage units with flexible rental terms and convenient access hours.