🏠 Guide to Finding Summer Housing on Martha's Vineyard - 2025
insider tips, resources, and solutions for securing seasonal housing on MV
For many, finding a place to live is the single biggest hurdle to working or interning on the island. This guide hopes to provide resources and insider tips to make the search easier, but to manage your expectations - the search will not be easy or cheap.
But I’m no pessimist! I think I have a few ways to help you in your search!
🌟Set Your Expectations
Employer Support: Ask your employer if they can do anything to assist with housing, or have any connections. If you’re on your own, it will be far more challenging.
When to Look: NOW! Summer job applications typically open in February, March, and April, aligning with when housing fills up.
Cost: Expect housing to consume a large portion of your earnings, with many workers needing a second job to cover additional expenses like food and transportation.
Housing on Martha's Vineyard is notoriously difficult to find due to a year-round shortage, landlords prioritizing weekly rentals, and strict town rental regulations.
Still ready to take on the challenge? Let me break down some solutions:
🔍Where to Look
Check The Classifieds:
Check online classifieds like Martha’s Vineyard Times and Vineyard Gazette - some old-school landlords still use this method to reach locals.
Check with the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce:
The housing section of their website might be able to assist depending on your circumstances, or give them a call for additional support.
Utilize Local Real Estate Agencies:
Email local real estate agencies that specialize in Martha's Vineyard properties. Most agencies primarily offer weekly rentals during the summer season but some properties may consider month-long rentals upon request.
Join Facebook Groups:
Facebook Groups are a popular way to find housing because you can rent directly from owners, helping them avoid high fees. I suggest you join a Facebook Group to post that you are seeking housing. Don’t be a passive follower and wait for landlords to post. Join and create a post that lists your timeline and secured place of employment (they want to see you are vouched for/already vetted by a reputable employer). In your post make yourself human - tell the group what you’re looking for, some details about your character, and willingness to live with roommates. Have a few friends comment underneath and vouch for you too!
Popular MV Housing Groups:
MV Workers/ MV Jobs! — only if you don’t have a job yet, you may be able to find a role with housing
Be Cautious of Scams: When searching online, especially on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Always verify the legitimacy of the listing and avoid sending money without proper confirmation.
Insider Tips + Recommendations :
Cost: How much can you expect to spend? It depends on location, time of year, and size of the property. There are not that many 1 bedroom rentals on the island - and landlords prioritize weekly renters over month-long renters. Weekly rates can range from $2-3k so a month-long stay might cost between $8k-$12k, assuming availability and willingness of the owner to negotiate a monthly rate. You might be able to find it for less (~$3-4k/month) but manage your expectations. You are competing against weekly renters AND year-round residents that offer stability to landlords (who are both vital to MV’s economy). Don’t forget to factor in additional expenses like utilities, transportation, and food when planning your budget.
Location: do your best to find housing within the town you are working in. Summer traffic using the bus (VTA) can add to commute times, so bikeable or walkable distances are best. Additionally, if you are working down-island, try to avoid housing in Aquinnah, Chilmark or West Tisbury if possible due to distance and lack of bike routes.
Team Up: Consider reaching out to future co-workers and renting a larger house vs. searching for a 1 bedroom
Flexible Dates: Being flexible with your dates (work during the shoulder season) and it might improve your chances with a rental.
How to Detect a Scam: Ask the potential landlord about local knowledge, like nearby towns, the bus schedule, or proof of a utility bill. Scammers often lack these details. If something feels off, pass or ask your employer for advice. Unfortunately, workers are scammed every year.
Respect Local Challenges: As you navigate your summer, remember to respect the local community. The island's housing crisis is year-round, and seasonal demand often adds to the strain for residents.
🏨 Employers that Provide Housing
Here’s a list of companies that have offered housing support in the past. Availability may vary from year to year, so always confirm details before committing to a role.
Hotels
Field Club, HarborView Hotel, Harborside Inn, Hobnob, The WinnetuRetail
Morning Glory Farm, Stop and ShopRestaurants
7a Foods, Atlantic, Black Dog, Chilmark General Store, Chescas, Linda Jeans, Lobsterville, Sand Bar, The RitzOther
Chappaquiddick Beach Club, Island Grown Initiative, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, MV Land Bank Commission, MV Sharks, Vineyard Transit Authority, West Chop Club
Please note that many of these employers provide dormitory-style housing, which may not be on-site.
⛴️ If you Can’t Find Housing
Commute On and Off the Island Daily
Commuting from nearby locations like Woods Hole can be a viable option, but be mindful of ferry schedules - last one leaves at at ~9:30pm each night. It can cost ~$20/day round-trip, plus the cost of parking (~$15/day) at the lot. This would eat up a significant portion of your day dealing with shuttles, and can be unpredictable given weather conditions. It’s definitely possible for retail positions who finish work around 6pm.
If daily commuting is the route you end up taking, look for housing in Woods Hole or Falmouth (which will also be expensive).
If you work somewhere other than a port town of Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs you’ll have to factor in time for taking VTA or biking to your place of work. If you know you’ll be commuting, try to prioritize a role near the ferry.
Hybrid Commuting:
Hotels are less expensive Monday-Wednesday, though they often have minimum night stays. Consider a combo approach of commuting and staying on the island some weeknights.
Stay at MV Youth Hostel and MV Campground for a few days: while many would think these would be a more affordable option, you’ll be bummed to learn the campground and hostel cap their visitors stays at 1-2 weeks total to ensure availability for maximum visitors as opposed to long-term stays. It’s a potential budget-friendly option for if your ferry is cancelled though.
By starting early, exploring alternative options, and staying flexible, you can increase your chances of finding housing. Good luck with your search, summer is almost here! ☀️
MVacay’s mission is to help break down barriers like housing and employment challenges so more people, especially those with diverse perspectives, can experience this incredible island.