Most expats research housing months in advance of a huge move overseas. And in some cases companies make all arrangements, whether temporary or permanent. Those lucky enough to have already arranged a place to stay upon arrival probably don’t need to read any further. However, most of us don’t have this advantage.
Moving overseas can be very stressful and one of the biggest concerns is wondering where we’ll stay upon arrival and if we’ll find suitable housing once we’re in our host country. Many individuals and families must stay at hotels for weeks when they arrive until they find a home or apartment to their liking.
Individuals probably don’t mind staying at hotels initially, but for families this can be an awful experience. Kids and teens quickly become bored and living out of suitcases makes our initial arrival more stressful than necessary.
One way to avoid this may be to consider renting a vacation rental, condo, or home. In fact, most of the time this is also less expensive than hotels! Vacation rentals are a perfect option because landlords don’t expect you to sign a long-term contract. In addition, most are fully furnished down to dishes and silverware. This is great for families who won’t find it necessary to unpack their belongings and repack them when they find a permanent home. Most importantly, kids and teens will have more space and parents will can cook their own meals and not depend on hotel laundry facilities.
Making a transition abroad is stressful enough. Living out of suitcases in a hotel only adds to that. Packing and unpacking your belongings several times is both time-consuming and messy. Families and companies may save money in the long-run by choosing a vacation rental over a hotel. There seem to be plenty of advantages to choosing temporary vacation housing over hotels.
Each family should investigate their options fully as hotel and private vacation rental pricing varies greatly per country. In some cases families may even find that paying a little MORE for a temporary home over a hotel is a better value if it can help them avoid the stress of living with the limitations hotels place upon families (noise, space, etc.) Do a little research and compare. Then choose the best option for your family.