How do you find "safe" accommodations as a visitor?

Short backstory: This is my first time visiting the US. I am coming to "shadow" a physician near the Texas Med Center for a month. I am a medical student in my home country. My duties are pretty chill, 9-4 x 5 days. I do not have any relatives or points of contact here. I want to make the most out of my weekends and have a great time while I'm here 🙂

Short backstory: This is my first time visiting the US. I am coming to "shadow" a physician near the Texas Med Center (American Heart Association to be precise) for December. I am a med student in my country. My duties are going to be pretty chill (9-4 x 5 days). I do not have any relatives or points of contact here. I want to make the most out of my weekends and have a great time while I'm here 🙂

I am really excited to be visiting Houston and spending the holidays here!

I am looking for accommodations, for 4 weeks of December but I don't know what would be a good and, more importantly, safe place to ask this question.

I don't need anything fancy, just a room with a bed + wifi + washer/Dryer. I am okay with a shared bathroom and shared kitchen. I am getting some offers in the range of 1 – 1.5k in the form of motels but I think I can manage for cheaper, like 500, especially since I just need a room to myself. ( No pets, Nonsmoker.

I just need it to be within walking distance of the American Heart Association (Google maps) or a short bus ride (20mins) away

I would appreciate it if someone could guide me in terms of where to look. I'd appreciate it if someone could guide me like last time!

Would appreciate if someone could guide me in terms of where to look for.