If you’re looking for a home away from home, there’s no place promising better than Charlotte. Queen City has numerous housing options, including corporate housing and short-term rentals. Picking between the two can be mind-boggling if you’re unsure which suits you best.
Charlotte enjoys a booming economy. Major employers like The Bank of America employ thousands, and companies like Wells Fargo run extensive internship programs. Insurance claimants also flock here, tapping services like Ready Stays Insurance Housing. Staying in the city requires decent housing, and corporate housing and short-term rentals are ideal options that come with their pros and cons. In this article, we’ll help you decide which of the two housing options best suits you.
What is Corporate Housing?
Corporate housing refers to fully furnished and move-in-ready housing that realtors arrange for business travelers. They’re ideal corporate workers who need to stay in Charlotte for more extended periods than typical business trips but shorter than would warrant a long-term lease. These houses often include all necessary amenities for comfortable living, including furniture, internet, utilities, and sometimes customer service. You can only rent corporate houses from a few weeks to several months, and they do not require a long-term lease. They’re an ideal alternative to traditional hotel accommodations and bridge the gap between short hotel stays and long-term lease commitments.
What is Short-Term Rental?
Short-term rentals are properties rented for less than a month. They’re typically Airbnb or VRBO-style vacation rentals offered for a night of a week and are mostly privately owned. Unlike corporate housing, short-term rentals have variable furnishing and offer mixed services with varying customer support and amenities. Short-term rentals are ideal for vacationers, business travelers, and remote workers who seek to stay in Charlotte for short-span business trips or vacations rather than long-term consistency.
What are Corporate Housing and Short-Term Rental Pros and Cons?
Knowing which works best for you can be pretty challenging when confronted with these two housing options in Charlotte. However, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each can go a long way.
Corporate Housing
Pros for corporate housing:
- Fully furnished, move-in ready – Corporate housing has furniture, housewares, appliances, and linen. You won’t need to bring anything but your suitcase in one hand and the other freely dangling.
- Utilities and Wi-Fi included – Designed with professionals in mind, this housing offers high-speed internet connectivity. Besides, you get other utilities like water and power that toll into one monthly flat rate.
- Flexible lease (30+ days) – Flexible month-to-month leasing makes it ideal for business travelers, travel nurses, or interns in Charlotte for temporary assignments.
- Professionally cleaned and managed – Housing units undergo rigorous cleaning before move-in. Cleaning services may be available during your stay.
- Reliable support during stay – Dedicated support teams solve problems quickly if Wi-Fi or showers don’t work optimally.
- Better suited for work/study/life balance – Housing has separate workplaces, quiet neighborhoods, and minimal disruptions to focus, seep and settle in.
Cons of corporate rentals
- Less flexibility for very short stays (less than 30 days) – Most corporate housing providers require a minimum 30-day stay, which may be inconvenient for short stays.
- May have fewer “Instagram-worthy” design elements than vacation rentals – Housing is primarily for comfort and function and doesn’t come with flashy aesthetics; hence not Instagram-worthy.
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb/VRBO)
Pros of short term rentals
- Abundant availability, especially for short stays – With thousands of short-term rentals in the Charlotte market, finding a unit for a day or two can be a breeze.
- More variety in style and setup – Short-term rentals in Charlotte offer an assortment of styles and setups, from mid-century modern townhomes to rustic lofts and apartments, compared to corporate housing.
- May be cheaper for 1-2 night stays – The pay-per-night model helps you avoid costly long-term commitments, hence a more pocket-friendly option.
Cons of short term rentals
- Pricing spikes for more extended stays – Rentals can get pricey quickly if you stay for a few more nights; hence, it’s not ideal for guests staying a fortnight.
- Inconsistent standards (cleanliness, amenities) – One rental may be well-maintained while another is barely liveable. This non-uniformity can breed uncertainty regarding what your money gets you.
- Limited support or communication – If anything goes wrong, your shower fails to work, or you lose internet connectivity, immediate help may not be available.
- Often not suited for work-focused stays or relocations – Rentals do not guarantee dedicated workspaces or quiet work environments since they’re mostly built for vacations and not work.
- Local regulations may restrict availability – You could find fewer listings or lose your booking since some Charlotte areas ban or limit short-term rentals.
Which Option Suits You Best?
It helps to pick an apartment that doesn’t only feel comfortable but also functional. Here are the most suitable options depending on your nature of stay:
Travel Medical Professonals
Corporate housing can be the best option if you want to focus on patients better. You’ll love the consistency, spot-on cleaning, and quick support near major hospitals.
Business Interns
Corporate housing can facilitate a seamless internship experience due to the consistent availability of internet connections, utilities, and stress-free commuting.
Insurance Claimants
Corporate housing can provide a proper turnkey home base since they offer furnished suites, all-inclusive bills, and readily available help.
Short-Stint Remote Workers
Short-term rentals can be ideal if you’re staying for a few days. However, corporate housing may be a perfect option for their more supportive working environment if you’re spending at least three weeks in Charlotte.
Why Corporate Housing in Charlotte Makes More Sense for Professionals
Uptown has seen a quick surge of banks and other corporations, and the town has even anchored its headquarters. For instance, Bank of America, bearing its head office in the area, employs over 19,000 local employees, and Duke’s Energy has more than 27,000 workers. Moreover, Southpark is a mixed-use center with more than 25,000 workers in firms like Coca-Cola Consolidated, Amwins, and Albemarle.
Traffic, Commutes, And Proximity to Work
If you live in Charlotte, the city’s arduous commute needs no introduction. Charlotte commuters average 28.3 minutes each way on congested roads with delays, which can turn short hops into half-hour travels. However, corporate housing in key neighborhoods can significantly cut travel time.
Value of Comfort and Stability During Transitions or Assignments
Corporate housing bundles rent and utility costs at one flat rate, easing the headache when handling more time-consuming and exhausting work projects. Besides, professionally managed units maintain consistent quality and maintenance, giving you ample time to focus on more essential projects.
Felicity Real Estate’s Professional Corporate Rental Service in Key Charlotte Neighborhoods
Felicity Real Estate delivers professional corporate rentals in SouthEnd, Dilworth and Uptown that cater to traveling medical providers, interns, and insurance claimants. Each unit is fully furnished with every utility you need, and our pricing is transparent with no hidden charges. Book your unit today and enjoy Charlotte’s most deluxe apartments worth the best bang for your buck.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between corporate housing and short-term rentals in Charlotte ultimately depends on your needs, length of stay, and priorities. Corporate housing may be better if you value consistency, service, and work-life balance. On the other hand, short-term rentals offer flexibility and style for brief visits. Evaluate what matters most-comfort, cost, location, or convenience-and choose the option that best fits your lifestyle and purpose for staying in Charlotte.