Housing for medical residents and fellows

Match results come out in March and most residencies start around July 1, which leaves about three months to find a place in a city you may barely know. Med Pro Housing lets you search rentals by the hospital you'll train at, and it's free for residents.

A timeline from Match Day to orientation

March. NRMP Match Day falls in mid-March (March 19 in 2027). Save a search around your hospital that week and turn on email alerts.
April. Ask your program for orientation dates, which can start before July 1, and ask current residents which neighborhoods they live in and how they get to work. Start messaging hosts.
May. Sign a lease. If you can't visit, ask for a live video walk-through, and get the rent, deposit, dates and lease terms in writing.
Late June. Move in before orientation so you aren't unpacking during your first week.

A 12-month lease, or furnished first

A 12-month lease lines up with the academic year, which makes it the simplest choice once you know the area. A furnished monthly rental is a good first step if you'd rather learn the city before committing, if a partner's job or school plans aren't settled, or if you're moving a long way without furniture. Some hosts on Med Pro Housing offer longer stays, so ask about a 12-month term and whether the rent changes after the first few months. Fellows in a one- or two-year program face the same choice on a shorter clock.

If you're in a one-year preliminary or transitional year, make sure the lease ends when the program does, or that you can break it with fair notice.

Choosing a location around a residency schedule

With nights, weekends and long call days, the drive home matters more than an extra hundred square feet. Many programs rotate residents between hospitals, such as a VA, a children's hospital and a county hospital, so check where your rotations are before you pick a neighborhood. Search by hospital with a 5 to 50 mile radius; the map shows nearby hospitals alongside listings, which makes it easier to find a spot that works for more than one site.

Ask about the cost of hospital parking versus transit, how close the grocery store is, and whether the bedroom stays dark during the day.

Interviews, second looks and away rotations

Many programs still interview virtually, but second looks, in-person interview days and away rotations mean short trips. For a stay of about a month, look for hosts whose minimum stay fits your dates. Medical students should also read our page on away rotation housing.

Before you sign

Check the early termination clause, in case you switch programs or your plans change.
Ask what's included: utilities, internet, parking, laundry.
Get the deposit amount and refund terms in writing, and do a move-in walk-through with photos.
Consider renter's insurance; some hosts require it.

Med Pro Housing doesn't collect rent or deposits, so you arrange payment with the host directly. Hosts never see your email address, and messages asking for wires, gift cards or crypto get a scam warning. If you hold a training or full license, you can verify it so hosts see a badge on your inquiries. To start, enter your hospital on the search page.

Common questions

When should I start looking for residency housing?

Right after Match Day in March. That gives you about three months before a typical July 1 start, enough time to compare neighborhoods and sign a lease by May or early June.

Should a resident sign a 12-month lease?

If your program is mostly at one hospital and you know the area, a 12-month lease that matches the academic year is simplest. If you don't know the city, a furnished monthly rental for the first months lets you choose a neighborhood in person.