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Best Accommodation Options – After you make the choice to start exploring how to move to a different country, there are so many big decisions you’ll need to make. Before you can make much progress, you’ll have to decide which country you want to live in, or at least narrow it down to two or three. Then, you’ll need to figure out which region and city would be best for you. 

Still, in order to really know a place, you should visit it in person first. Online research about a location can tell you so much about a city. You’ll need to feel the breeze, smell the food wafting out of cafes, walk the streets, and interact with locals. Simply put, you should probably not move to another country without traveling there first with the express purpose of considering a new life there. 

Once you have decided on the place you want to move to, it will take time to find a long-term apartment or home. Booking Accommodations in that city for a few weeks or a few months can give you plenty of time to ground yourself and find the best home available. In this article, we’ll cover how to decide on the right accommodations for your initial stay in your target locale. 

Securing Your Initial Stay

When initially traveling to the city you want to move to in a new country, it’s best to spend at least a week in the city living like you were a local. This allows you plenty of time to get a lay of the land, learn the type of neighborhood you’re interested in, and really soak in the vibe of the place. Any shorter and you may be rushing between travel arrangements and tourist sights in the vicinity of your Hotel or other accommodations. 

After obtaining your visa and heading to your new home, it’s a good idea to give yourself some breathing room. Moving between neighborhoods can be hard enough as it is, but moving between countries carries a whole new set of logistical hurdles to jump over. We recommend booking somewhere for at least one month after you move so that you give yourself enough time to find a longer-term flat that matches your search criteria. 

However, the more popular the city is, the more likely it is that the demand and supply of housing will be unequal, so you may want to book accommodations for at least two to three months instead. I was advised to get temporary housing in Berlin for three months while looking for a long-term lease on an apartment, and I’m glad I did because it took the full three months to find a place and get everything sorted before moving in. It’s probably better to cautiously plan for longer stays initially to make sure you can find your ideal new home without feeling rushed.

Your Best Options for Accommodation

You can always consider staying in a hotel for the transition period of your move Abroad, but many expats stay in alternative types of accommodation while getting to know their new home. Here are some of the best options for making the most of your transition period in a foreign country.

Hotels

Expats who are not afraid to spend more on luxurious accommodations during their initial stay may look to book a stay at a hotel. We recommend Agoda because it covers both major hotel chains and boutique hotels all around the world. They also offer an extensive back catalog of rentable apartment homes or even private stays. You can easily search between all these locations and even specify that you’re looking for a long stay, which could potentially lead to discounted weekly or monthly rates. Agoda partners with well-known brands in the travel industry, so you can have every aspect of your stay covered without leaving your browser window.

Shared Living & Communities

A big part of feeling comfortable in a new city is making friends and starting to build a community. Many expats crave social environments and rely on the connections they make. For people looking for these communal experiences, it may be better to book a spot in a shared living space or join a community that allows you to meet other like-minded individuals and expats. We have two suggestions that could jumpstart a great life abroad:

• Coliving is a site that brings together people who want to share a living space. They can help you arrange monthly stays in fully furnished spaces without additional utility fees, so it’s a great way to get started in your new city.
• RemoteDream is a network that’s also built on shared living, but it’s more focused on those with a digital nomad lifestyle. As you move around the world every few months, you’re guaranteed to have a comfortable space to live in while working remotely. 

Mid-Term Stays for 1+ Months

When you start staying in a place for one month or longer, it’s best to simplify your renting situation. Making sure that you have stability in your living situation will ensure that your time abroad is spent as fulfilling as possible. For these options, we recommend Uniplaces, the world’s fastest-growing mid-term accommodations site. They already have the largest verified database of available homes. The entire process is much more streamlined and much faster than taking on a lease. Be sure to use our link and the code below to get 15% off your booking fee!

No Strings Attached: Pet Sitting

When you’re looking for a short-term stay and don’t have a lot of possessions to take with you, the best option is to stay somewhere free! If you love pets, then you should take a closer look into pet-sitting opportunities! Pet owners who want to go abroad on vacation need someone to keep an eye on their home and pets while they’re away, so this can be a fantastic opportunity to get a free place to stay for a few weeks. We recommend setting up a profile on TrustedHousesitters and browsing all of the upcoming free stays in your target city. Use this link to get 25% off your annual membership fees!

Getting Help with Your Move Abroad

Even though it’s a big step, finding accommodations for your initial travel as well as the first few months in your new city is just a small piece of the puzzle. With all the moving parts of your timeline and tons of uncertainty, you’ll want to work with folks that have been there before. At Expat Empire, we’ve got the personal experience to answer all of your questions. Check out all of our Recommended Resources and book a few coaching sessions to jumpstart your move abroad!