Short term living arrangements?

Factual Questions
1

So, I have finally gotten authorization to move out of the single airman dorms on base and get an apartment out in the Wichita area (due to a weird quirk in how our pay and allowances are set up, this actually is more affordable for me than the free dorms on base). One problem though: There is this great sounding complex that my sergeants recommended, it’s in my price range for a single bedroom, but they don’t have any openings until the middle of September, and my move-out-or-stay-in deadline for the dorms is the end of July (after that, they decide I want to stay in the dorms and go authorize someone who is actually going to move their ass out).

So, I’m going to talk to the apartment complex, and see if I can get an arrangement where I stay in whatever they have available (maybe two bedroom or whatever) for the month or two until the single opens up (and yes, I’ll make sure it’s in writing if they go for that), but assuming they don’t want to fuss with that, what are some options for having a place to live for a couple of months? I looked into hotels and such, but with a $550 a month housing allowance, I’d be out of money long before the middle of September.

My girlfriend has half-seriously offered to let me camp out in her dorm room, but that could get her (and me) in big trouble if we were caught, and I don’t think my stuff would all fit in there anyways.

So what else is there? Can I get like, short-term leases at another place? I’m shopping around for other places too, but I don’t want to get stuck in a place that looks good only until I move in, and this is the only place where I know anyone who already lives there. Anyone in the Wichita area who can recommend some other places I can look at that might have rooms available sooner?

2

Especially for the summer months, I would put up an ad through craigslist that you would be willing to house sit. Many people that go on holidays, internships, study opportunities, short jobs etc have their appartments/rooms empty, and will love to get a reliable person to housesit, especially if he pays part of the rent. And of course, the benefit for you is that such an apartment is fully furnished.

3

How about a long term hotel? Like StudioPLUS? They have a spot in Wichita

It is probably over your budget, but talk to them. Call them, tell them your situation. For a service man, they may cut you a deal. 6 weeks, $500.

I stay at a long term hotel with my Wife and two dogs in Denver a few times a year. It’s a deal. There is less maid service (which I prefer) and the room may be a little rough around the edges. But They usually have an outside door and a kitchen.

4

Some motels not on the main Interstate highways (interchanges, of course) which are surviving but with regular vacancies may very well be quite interested in renting to someone with a guaranteed income for a specified term of weeks, at a mutually acceptable rate. I don’t know Wichita well enough to make any suggestions (read “at all”) but check along US highways there before the Interstates – I will bet there are at least a couple who might be interested in such a deal.

5

Is there a school/college/university in the area? Look to sublet from a student (sites like Craig’s list could help find these places). It might be a little awkward because of the overlap when school starts up in September (I assume; that’s when my school starts) but depending on the sublet it might be workable.