Where should I live when I first arrive at Foothill?
Your ultimate guide to immediate housing at Foothill

A common question for newly admitted Foothill students is how to find immediate housing when arriving in California and Foothill? What are some housing options that I can choose from that are more permanent? Read the answers to these questions in this ultimate housing guide.
You have just arrived in California:
- Motels and Hotels
There are plenty of temporary accommodation options near the Foothill campus. You can choose your accommodation according to your budget. I recommend staying in Mountain View since it is closest city to the Foothill campus. Some common options are:
- American Best Value Inn Mountain View (Bus 52)
- Budget Motel (Bus 52)
- Holiday Inn Express Mountain View (Bus 52)
- Super 8 Mountain View (Bus 52)
- Residence Inn by Marriott Palo Alto Mountain View (Bus 52)
- Mountain View Inn (Bus 40)
- Residence Inn by Marriott Palo Alto Los Altos (Bus 40)
I have marked the corresponding bus routes with the hotels and motels. All of these locations are within walking distance of the bus stops and they should be ideal for you to go to and fro campus frequently. I personally have stayed in Holiday Inn Express Mountain View and loved it. I highly recommend it due its novel facilities and quality service.
Motels (drive-in hotels) are slightly cheaper than hotels but you also get lower quality service.


Pro Tip: Motels and hotels are ideal for short stays of a few days and up to a week as the cost will accumulate for longer durations.
You have settled in for one to two weeks:
- Find a homestay family to stay in
You can opt for the homestay option with Foothill’s homestay partner, International Student Placements (ISP). I have written a detail analysis of the pros and cons of staying with homestays if you are interested*.
Pro Tip: Stay in homestay families for two to three months maximum. Usually students prefer more freedom and privacy. Staying in apartments with other students will be a better option.
2. Find an apartment to live in.
I have also written at length on apartments in another article*. The two main avenues for finding an apartment to stay in are: 1) Find your own apartment and roommates, 2) Find roommates who already have an apartment to themselves and join them. Now, the common worry for most students would be: “I don’t know anyone at Foothill yet since I’m new. What should I do?” This is why I have created the new Foothill College Sublets/Apartments Facebook group* where you can post to find apartments and roommates in the Foothill community. The purpose of the group is to create a safe and convenient platform for Foothill students to find accommodation that’s right for them.
Pro Tip: Look for people who are compatible with you as roommates. Rent according to your budget. Buy furniture and appliances in small numbers since you are only here for two to three years.
- Foothill Housing Article: https://medium.com/@ncy.timothy/what-is-like-living-while-at-foothill-3fb037539284
- Foothill ISP Homestay Program: https://foothill.edu/international/homestays.php
- Foothill College Apartments/Sublets on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/foothillhousing/?ref=group_cover
