Intern Relocation Guide
Last Updated: April 25th, 2024
How To Use This Guide
Many MECOP interns are required relocate for the duration of their internships. While the relocation process is exciting, we recognize that it can be stressful as well. We're here to help! In order to eliminate as much relocation stress as possible, we have put together this relocation guide.
Additionally, the MECOP Office is always available to help should you have any questions or concerns regarding the relocation process. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
Will Your Company Provide A Relocation Stipend?
Although relocation stipends are not guaranteed to all MECOP interns, some of MECOP's participating companies opt to supply relocation stipends to their incoming interns.
Please get in touch with your company's representative to determine if a relocation stipend can be provided.
Review Housing Information
Finding Housing
MECOP interns are responsible for arranging their own housing needs. This may include signing a lease, paying deposits, setting up utilities, and possibly renting furniture.
Be Informed
It's important to understand the terms and conditions of your lease, including requirements for giving written notice of your move out date. In most states, a 30-day written notice of intent to vacate is required. Please plan on providing your intent to vacate in advance to ensure a smooth transition back to your education. (This includes furniture rental!)
Qualifying a Potential Roommate
The following list of questions may assist with interviewing potential roommates:
- Which internship timeframe are you (Spring-Summer or Summer-Fall)?
- What school do you go to? What is your major?
- Which company are you interning with?
- Do you go to bed early or stay up late?
- Are you an early riser or late sleeper?
- Do you prefer the living space warm or cold?
- Do you prefer to stay home on weekends or go out?
- Do you mind clutter in your living space, or do you prefer a tidy living space?
- Do you object to overnight visitors, out-of-town guests, or relatives?
- Do you object to loud music or parties?
- Would you mind sharing a bedroom or bathroom to reduce rent?
- Do you have any pets?
- Do you prefer a smoker or a nonsmoker?
Other Questions to Ask Yourself (and Your Potential Roommate)
- Will I need transportation to/from work? If so, should I seek a roommate who can provide transportation?
- What kind of relationship do I want to have with my roommate? (Example: Do you just want to rent a room, or do you want a friend to do things with?)
- What outside interests, if any, would I like to share with my roommate?
- Am I willing to negotiate when it comes to rent? (Example: I will pay a few extra dollars every month to have the larger bedroom or the covered parking space, etc.)
Key Terms To Understand When Renting
As you conduct your housing search, be sure to keep these important terms in mind:
| Availability | Supply of apartments available for rent and ability to reserve in advance |
|---|---|
| Common Area | If there is a swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, etc., what are the terms of usage? |
| Distance | How far is the apartment from the company you are interning with? |
| Housewares & Furniture Package | Whether deposits are refundable or non-refundable, when they are due, how and when they are returned, application fees, and lease lengths - especially important if you are looking for a short-term lease. |
| Lease Terms | Whether deposits are refundable or non-refundable, when they are due, how and when they are returned, application fees, and lease lengths - especially important if you are looking for a short-term lease. |
| Nearby Merchants | Grocery, shopping malls, theaters, banks |
| Noise Level | Community / complex in general, between apartments |
| Office Hours | Times and days the apartment's administrative office is open, and their contact number when office is closed |
| Parking Policy | Covered parking or garage, unreserved parking; number reserved per apartment, guest parking |
| Rental Rates | Number of bedrooms and bathrooms, furnished or unfurnished; ask if they offer move in specials or all-inclusive utility and furniture rental packages |
| Security | After hours emergency telephone number, patrol officers |
| Size of Property | Number of units, number of floors |
| Social Activities | Community sponsored, nearby entertainment |
| Tenant Profile | Young adults, families, senior citizens |
| Utilities | List of companies to contact including cable, average costs of utilities, types of deposits needed, and whether utilities are included in base rent. |
Online Housing Search Resources
Resources Available Exclusively to MECOP Interns:
Housing Forum
Check out MECOP's Housing ForumHousing Forum (https://www.mecopinc.org/students/forums/4) if you are interested in rooming with fellow MECOP interns. Students can either create a posting to indicate their housing needs or respond to other students' posts.
- Please Note: This resource is only available to actively participating students in MECOP. It is not available to the general public.
Housing Reviews And Tips
MECOP's interns also have access to a forum to share reviews and tipsforum to share reviews and tips (https://www.mecopinc.org/students/forums/6) relating to past renting experiences for any upcoming interns.
- Please Note: This resource is only available to actively participating students in MECOP. It is not available to the general public.
General Housing Search Resources
- Apartments.com Apartments.com (https://www.apartments.com)
- Apartment Guide Apartment Guide (https://www.apartmentguide.com)
- Apartment List Apartment List (https://www.apartmentlist.com)
- Furnished Finder Furnished Finder (https://www.furnishedfinder.com)
-
InternHousing.com InternHousing.com (https://www.internhousing.com)
- Internhousing.com is a free online, comprehensive resource to Interns who work for participating employers. Access to this web resource is "password protected" for your security.
- Contact your company's representative to see if they are a participating employer. If your company is a participating employer, please refer to your company rep to obtain an ID and Password for internhousing.com.
- Trulia Trulia (https://www.trulia.com/rent/)
- Zillow Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/)
Resources Specific To The Portland Metro Area
- MW8 Living PDX MW8 Living PDX (https://mw8apartments.com/)
- Located in downtown PDX near Portland State
- Furnished apartments for college students
- Portland State University, Summer Housing for Interns Portland State University, Summer Housing for Interns (https://www.pdx.edu/housing/summer-intern-housing)
- Portland State University provides summer housing to individuals who are coming to the Portland, Oregon area for educational purposes such as internships, co-ops, research, service learning, and/or educational study. Located in Downtown Portland (with light rail at your doorstep), Portland State is a safe and convenient housing choice.
- Rates are based on a 70-day, 10-week stay
- University of Portland, Campus Housing for Interns
- University of Portland provides campus housing to individuals who are coming to the Portland, Oregon area for educational purposes such as internships, co-ops, research, service learning, and/or educational study
- Please contact Kerry Graves at [email protected] for additional information
Transportation
Interns are responsible for their own daily transportation to and from work during their internship. If you do not have a car, there are public transportation options available.
Students participating in the civil branch of our program, often referred to as CECOP, are required to have a valid driver's license. The company may also require complex driving skills such as freeways, driving in the dark, or wet conditions. If you do not have a license, plan to get one and try to get driving experience. CECOP disciplines are considered under the MECOP umbrella and include the following disciplines:
- Civil EngineeringCivil Engineering (https://www.mecopinc.org/students/disciplines/CE)
- SurveyingSurveying (https://www.mecopinc.org/students/disciplines/Surv)
Resources Available Exclusively to MECOP Interns:
Check out MECOP's forum dedicated to seeking / offering carpoolsforum dedicated to seeking / offering carpools (https://www.mecopinc.org/students/forums/5) if you are interested in carpooling to your internship with fellow interns. Students can either create a posting to indicate their carpooling needs or respond to other students' posts.
- Please Note: This resource is only available to actively participating students in MECOP. It is not available to the general public.
For Interns in the Portland Metro Area
TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail transit services in the Portland, Oregon, metro area. There is a bus stop directly in front of our offices on International Way.
For more information on public transportation options visit www.trimet.org
Any Questions?
If you have any further questions related to relocation processes or if you need additional assistance, please contact the MECOP Office directly.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 360-0401