All you need to know about renting an apartment in another country
Packing up your life and moving abroad is an exciting prospect, with so many new adventures awaiting. But it does require a lot of careful planning, particularly when it comes to finding somewhere to live.
Thanks to the internet, this is now much easier to do than it has been in the past, with it possible to find a rental online that’s ready for you to move in as soon as you touch down. Rental sites such as Rentola allow you to compare rental properties around the globe, based on your budget, accommodation type, and the number of bedrooms.
For example, if you head to Rentola Dublin, you can browse properties in various neighbourhoods and find the ones that fit your budget. By using a rental comparison website with multiple listings in the same destination, there’s also less chance that you’ll be ripped off.
Decide where you want to live
First things first. You need to decide which country/city most appeals to you as your next “home”. Are you planning on moving somewhere that you’ve visited before or is it a destination you’ve always dreamt about living in long-term?
When deciding where to live, take into consideration the costs of living, the local culture, and the overarching lifestyle, and make sure they all appeal to you. If you can’t find reliable articles online, search for expat forums where you can ask questions about what it’s like to live in a particular neighbourhood, access to public transportation, and recreational opportunities.
Figure out your budget
There’s no point setting your sights on living somewhere expensive like Manhattan if you’re on a small budget. Be realistic about what you can afford and use this to guide your search.
You should also remember that there are lots of additional expenses to consider in addition to rent, such as security deposits, utility payments, and transportation costs. Some landlords may also require that you pay several weeks’ rent upfront, so add a bit of “buffer” into your budget.
Not only do you need to think about rental costs but also the expenses of day-to-day life. If you’re someone who likes to eat out a lot, take into consideration the costs of doing so in your chosen destination. Prefer to cook at home? The price of groceries can vary widely from country to country, so do your research about what the average person spends at the supermarket on a weekly basis.
Know what type of accommodation you want
In some destinations, you will have a wide variety of housing types to choose from, including apartments, villas, and townhouses. In others, the high density of people may mean that small apartments are the norm, and finding anything more substantial may be next to impossible.
If there is a choice available, consider the type of accommodation that you would prefer and the lifestyle it offers. Perhaps you want to try something different from what you have previously known, which may even mean sharing your new home with a flatmate. Not only is this a great way to meet people as you’re settling in but it will help to keep costs down too.
To furnish or not to furnish
Fitting your place out with furnishings can be not only expensive but stressful, particularly while you’re still settling into a new place. Some rental properties come with furnishings, which will save you the hassle of trying to transport bulky items from the point of sale to your new home. You may pay more for a furnished apartment but it could save you a lot of time (and even money) in the long run.
Have your documents ready
Just like renting an apartment in your home country, there will be documents that are required before you receive your key. These may include your passport/ID card, evidence of employment, or even a bank statement showing that you have sufficient funds available. You may also be asked to sign a tenancy agreement saying that you will leave the property in the same condition that you found it.
Plan your move
Now for the exciting part – packing up your belongings and getting ready to start your new life abroad! If you need to secure visas, make this a priority as they can take weeks or even months to process. Without the correct visa, you won’t even be able to get on the plane to start your journey!
Next, book your flight/train/bus tickets, preferably as far ahead of time as possible as prices usually increase as you get closer to the departure date. Keep in mind that you may need to book extra baggage if you’re bringing a lot of stuff and it will probably be cheaper to do so at the time of booking than at the airport.
Need to move more than just a few suitcases? Start researching the most affordable and efficient way of moving your possessions with the help of a relocation company.
