@abasket my D’s friends who are traveling around and doing have given up their apartments in San Francisco so it is affordable for them since they aren’t paying rent somewhere else.
Ds and his friends were living urban with a high monthly rent. Ds had sent a few screen shots of the pics on the AirBnb site, and my sleuthy college roommate was able to find it! My efforts had failed (yes, I’m nosy and wanted to know what they were paying but I wasn’t going to directly ask). It has one unique feature that assisted her. Anyway, what is listed is NOT inexpensive and much more than their rent even was. Idk if they got a “deal” or not. Regardless, they have not traveled, vacationed, dined out, had happy hours - NOTHING - in six months. It’s definitely a splurge, but I don’t expect future short-term rentals to be so spendy.
There are the three guy friends that are doing it for the entire month. They have various other friends from their web of contact (girlfriends as one example) coming in to stay (it’s SIX bedrooms!) for different amounts of time. Ds sent me a screen shot of his negative Covid test results. Anyone who is coming to stay at all is getting a Covid test - they are able to get results in 24 hours. Again, I didn’t ask about this but was relieved to see they were doing it. I get the sense that sometimes it will just be the three of them, and sometimes there may be eight or so there. They are smart young folks - there won’t be big gatherings. Those who come and stay will also be contributing to the cost.
Ds and his roommate and their other friend (who was also in the same apartment building) had originally signed one year leases but had been month-to-month for the last year, so they were able to do this more easily since they weren’t under a long-term lease agreement anymore.
My son did this over the spring and summer in Pacific NW (he was a rising college junior with classes and several virtual internships). 4-6 weeks each location, one in the in the city, one by the lake near the coast, another one near my house. He had fun but he decided that it gets tiring to move so frequently, and now got a furnished place in Portland, Maine with a friend group for the gap semester /gap year. He is working virtually and self supporting.
Yes, this is not what he envisioned at all for 2020 but we have to make lemonade out of lemons! He’s excited to explore Maine this semester. His college is in the big city so quite a change 
As I wrote, airbnb’s are half price, often, if for a month or more. My seasonal use gives me the best rent with the best quality in the entire area (believe me I know the market) and they are of course furnished. Including everything: Internet, utilities, plowing and shoveling, landscaping, heat, and of linens, and kitchen stuff though I bring some of those myself.
Two real estate agents told me they are doing the same thing and that they consider it a smart approach to the crazy market around here. I have two friends who are also living like this.
@ChoatieMom @MaineLonghorn You are talking Portland, ME, not Portland, OR, right?
@Massmomm yes. The FIRST Portland. The other one was named after “ours.”
the other thing is that some extended stay hotels with kitchens are offering great deals. so its like a furnished apartment, but would likely be good for just two since a bedroom is shared. My D almost did this.
A friend’s daughter started a new job that will always be remote. As her lease was up she decided the next year would be moving around so she’s currently on the west coast and has plans to continue this for the next year- with stops in between at home.
2 of my sons are talking about doing a month somewhere over the winter.