NonnaGoes

I feel like we are semi pros at this. We sold our home at the end of 2022. We lived in a senior apt building at around $1600/month for the first 6 months of 2023, then spent till 19 September waiting, not so patiently, for our elective residence visas to move to Italy.

The first 10 days were in an AirBnB nearby, at about $70/night, all in. While we were there, I searched for long term rentals, and found Extended Stay America at a price of around $63/night including tax.

It was less than luxurious but the location was great. And with the mini kitchen, at least we could make meals, so didn’t go out every night ( be sure to factor eating out into the cost.).

We got very tired of that place, having spent three weeks there. We spent three nights in a forgettable place, then I found a real bargain: a LaQuinta in a good location for $72/night including tax. And it included a hot breakfast.

We stayed there for 5 weeks. Got a ton of points, became silver in a program I’d never before used, learned to detest powdered scrambled eggs, and saved money.

They had made an exception to let us stay there that long, so we rounded out with 5 nights at a Four Points, where breakfast wasn’t free, but cheap and higher quality. And picked up a few Bonvoys.

Our very last night, we splurged by staying at the the MSP Intercontinental. Three minutes by shuttle with nearly the max luggage allowed in J on our way to VCE, and easy for our son to pick up Husband after he sold the car, and for us to take him out to a good bye dinner.

We ended up spending, on average, about $3000/month, your goal amount. It wasn’t great, but we got to know different parts of the Twin Cities, and which places had the best happy hour meals.

It would have been better, even with most our furniture gone by then, to have stayed in the apartment an extra month, at least. And, honestly, that’s what I’d recommend for you: a clean but modest apartment, if you are looking at 6 months or more.

Wyndham rewards aren’t that great for redemption in Italy. But there are a few where we can use the points.

jlawrence01

I used to do a lot of long term three months assignments around the country. Often, I could get a monthly rate that was exceptional. I remember getting a $1000 per month rate at a Mission Viejo, CA Fairfield inn during a recession. The monthly rate was great as 1) I could keep my clothes and stuff in the room on the weekends I was done AND after 30 days, there was no room tax.

MSPeconomist

In many jurisdictions, after you stay 30 days, the hotel gives you a refund of the taxes for the first t30 days. However, different hotels in the same place can have different rules, such as requiring you to sign a lease-like document. There also can be problems if for some reason (even beyond your control) you change rooms during your stay.

I'm a bit confused about whether the OP is just looking for a cheap temporary fully furnished (or serviced) place to stay versus wanting to pay for much of the stay with new credit card sign up bonuses versus wanting to earn a ton of hotel points.