IH-USA: Student Services > Accommodations

Host Families
Most students prefer to stay in with a host family, at least in the beginning. You will live as a member of an American family, and gain real-life practice at learning and using English. Living in a private residence allows you to make the most of your English course. You can practice your English with family members when not in class, and you can use the opportunity to learn all about American life and culture.

The accommodation agency we work with chooses our families carefullyófor their friendliness and interest in people from other countries. You can expect your family to provide you with a clean room with: a good bed, window, closet, desk, chair, reading lamp, radio-alarm clock, bed linens, and storage for your clothes. You may take some time to adjust to the American diet, but one thing is certainóAmerica has almost every food found on earth, so you can always get the food you thought you left behind.

Executive homestays will also have private bath, telephone, and use of Internet and Email. Most families live within 30 minutes by public transport to the school. This option should be chosen if you want: (1) a family experience, (2) the best price, (3) someone to prepare your meals.


Furnished Apartments Apartments provide a good alternative if you want an independent lifestyle. However, students must be 18 or older to select this option. Modestly priced apartments are available in Portland and Corporate apartments are available in all three locations.

We can arrange a furnished apartment if you wish. You can expect your apartment to have: a sofa, dining table and chairs, lamps, clothes storage, bathroom, all linens, kitchen equipment and utensils, an iron, a TV (some with VCRs), and a telephone. Corporate apartments can have other amenities like: swimming pool, tennis court, fitness center, convenience store, etc. All the apartments are in excellent locations.

This option is especially suited to couples, families, friends traveling together, and executives. Some students who enroll in a long-term program begin their stay with a family then, after they have made some friends, move to an apartment for a more independent experience. To see samples click on the links below:

Residence Hotels
This option is available in San Francisco only. This type of housing is a mixture of hotel and dormitory. It's like a hotel because there is maid service. It's like a dormitory because you can live with a roommate and select a meal plan. The residence clubs that we have in San Francisco are near the school, many within walking distance. This is a good option for students who will stay fewer than eight weeks.

Click on the link below to see a sample of this housing option:


	Youth Hostel If you are young, will stay only a short time, fewer than four weeks, and want the least expensive housing option, you should consider a youth hostel. Be prepared to share a sleeping room with many other students, and you will have to arrange your meals on your own. You should reserve early because they are often fully booked.


Dormitory This option is available in Portland only, and are available in the summer months only (mid-June to mid-August). Except on our Summer in America (young learners) program you will be placed in a room, but may not have much choice as to your roommate. Meal plans are available. This option used to be quite inexpensive, but is now sometimes more than a homestay when booked individually. Students share rooms, prepare meals in a communal kitchen, and enjoy the advantages of college-style living.

Housing Coordinator
Our Housing Coordinators assist with all students’ accommodation needs. We make all initial bookings for you, but you will pay for your housing directly to the host, hotel, apartment, or dormitory. If you have any problems after you move in, we are here to help you until the problem is solved.

WEEKLY RATES
AMERICAN HOMESTAY	Santa Monica	San Francisco	Portland
Single Room/Halfboard	$240	-	$165
Single Room/Breakfast Only	$210	-	$145
Single Room/No Meals/Use of Kitchen	$195	-	$140
Double Room/Halfboard	$195	-	$145
Double Room/Breakfast Only	$160	-	$125
Double Room/No Meals/Use of Kitchen	$155	-	$110
Executive Home: Single Room/Halfboard/Private Bath	$270	-	$230
IH APARTMENTS	Santa Monica	San Francisco	Portland
Studio/1 Bedroom	Not Available	Not Available	$1650/mo
Oakwood Corporate Apartments	Book Online	Book Online	Book Online
Residence Hotels/Apartments	From $120/night	From $130/night	From $89-$150/night
Residence Clubs	Not Available	From $50/night	Not Available

* Extra nights in host families =
$32 regardless of meal plan (Portland)
$40 regardless of meal plan (Santa Monica)