Whether you are relocating from across the country or within New Hampshire, these resources will help you secure housing ahead of service.
Find housing before you start service
City Year requires that AmeriCorps members live in the city they are serving or within a reasonable commute on or before their first day of service. Most AmeriCorps members live in Manchester, but some choose to commute if they are local.
When to start looking
Typically, individuals begin looking for housing in Manchester starting in May, about three months before the start of service. Many leases begin on July 1 or August 1, which is a great time to move and get settled. The service year runs from early-August to mid-June, so you will want to consider the start and end time of your lease in relation to your term of service.
Deciding where to live
Manchester is a relatively small city with just over 100,000 residents. Like most cities, Manchester has several distinct neighborhoods (Downtown, North End, West Side, South Side) and you will find that each area has its own sense of culture and community. Most members live within Manchester, but some commute from surrounding towns.
City Year members have traditionally lived throughout Manchester with most individuals typically living within the greater downtown area. Finding an apartment is generally easy as Manchester has a significant rental population.
Over the years, many AmeriCorps members have passed on apartments from one group to another. This has been a great way for incoming members to secure safe, affordable, and vetted apartments by past members. City Year connects confirmed AmeriCorps Members to affordable housing in Manchester that can be rented using the stipend.
Another option is to work with a broker or agent who is familiar with Manchester and the specific neighborhoods you are focused on as this may help expedite your housing search. Many landlords work with an agent to lease their properties. There are usually costs to use an agent or a broker for your search, or rent a property shown by an agent. Whenever working with an agent, ask if there are fees for you if you sign a lease using them.
There are also many websites to look and search for an apartment. Here are some that we suggest:
City Year New Hampshire serves in five schools in 2022-2023 (four elementary and one middle school) across the city and all are within a short 10-minute drive (or less) from the office, which is centrally located in downtown. No matter where you live, each morning all AmeriCorps members meet up at parking lot close to the office to start their day and carpool to service together.
Consider commute times if you look outside of Manchester
While most AmeriCorps members live with other individuals who are also serving in City Year, some members choose to live at home with family in Manchester or within a reasonable commute to Manchester. If this is an option for you, it may allow you to save money on rent or other monthly living expenses. If you choose to live at home or with family, we highly recommend keeping your commute under 45 minutes each way as your service days are long (10 hours daily) and taking care of your personal well-being is important!
Finding roommates
If you are hoping to live with another City Year member, connect with your service year advisor to receive a link to the Discord group to find a roommate. Craigslist is another common source to find roommates, or apartments with open rooms who are seeking new roommates to join them.
When you identify a roommate(s) and begin your housing search, it is important to discuss how you will share expenses (rent, utilities, internet, food) and what common items (furniture, television, kitchen items, etc.) you are each willing to contribute. You will also want to consider the type of roommate you want to have: someone who is outgoing/quiet/night owl, someone who has a pet, etc. While many people have experience living with others through college, summer camp, or boarding school, not everyone does. Keep in mind that your peers will be between 18-25 and will come from all over the country and different life circumstances.
Most AmeriCorps members will live with two to three other individuals (often other City Years AmeriCorps members). This helps to keep living expenses down and provides an in-home network of peers and friends to connect with.
Budgeting for housing
Your bi-weekly stipend is $890 (before taxes). Most AmeriCorps pay between $600-$800 per month for housing. This is usually based on living with two or three other individuals. We recommend looking for a three-bedroom apartment for $1,800-$2,400 or a four-bedroom apartment around $2,400-$3,200.
Some utilities are included in the price of rent, so be sure to ask your potential 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 at a cost, while others are located near laundromats.
Typically, you will be required to pay first month’s rent and the security deposit (typically the equivalent of one month’s rent) upon signing your lease. Not all apartments require a broker/agent fee, so this expense may not apply. A security deposit will be returned to you at the end of your lease if the apartment’s condition is maintained – this is something that is important to speak with your landlord about.
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 New Hampshire for several years, there are always new and exciting things to experience here.
Looking for more resources and information? We’ve got you covered.
