Navigating the types of accommodations abroad can be one of the biggest challenges of living abroad, as well as the biggest expense. Reducing these costs can lead to huge savings, however, sleeping in a hammock on an outdoor patio is not for everyone, especially if you work remotely or are used to having a regular bed. There are typically 9 types of accommodations for Expats, Digital Nomads, and Travelers.
It is understandable that moving abroad is an exciting moment in your life, but it is not the time to choose the most luxurious place to live, and certainly when deciding whether to buy or rent living abroad, renting first is always preferable before you invest a lot of time and money to buy.
There are some great ways to find a place to live abroad, and the best thing you can do is to find a temporary place first and then look for a longer-term living option.
The following are 9 types of accommodations abroad to investigate:
Find a Hospitality Exchange
One of the best ways to find accommodations moving abroad is by staying with someone who already lives in the city or town where you are going. Locals often love to host foreigners to exchange ideas, points of view, and to develop friendships. You can look on websites like Be Welcome or Couchsurfing.
By finding locals to stay with, you can get a different perspective on the city. You’ll learn about the culture, the people and the places they like to visit. This is the stuff that just isn’t available in a guide book.
The only disadvantage of this type of accommodation abroad is the fact that a lot of people are nervous about staying with strangers in a new city. However, most of the people offering their homes are former travelers themselves and understand what you are going through when finding a place to live abroad. Just make sure that if you do use a site like Couchsurfing, you check a host’s reviews and make sure they are verified.
Book a Hostel
Hostels are great for budget travelers but are also a good type of accommodation abroad when you want to find something closer to an apartment. A hostel gives you a cheap place to live while you find the perfect apartment for your needs. In a hostel, the rooms are dormitory-style and facilities are shared.
However, this is not just an option for young people any longer. People who are finding a place to live moving abroad can also find that a hostel is a viable option while they find a furnished apartment to rent for a longer-term. Hostels now offer small rooms with single or double beds. The amenities are usually nice and there is a shared kitchen option. These accommodations are usually very clean and comfortable. Keep in mind that some of the larger chains such as YHA and Hosteling International focus on older people or group travelers. Most hostels cost between $5 to $30 USD a night.
House Sitting
Consider a house-sitting option before finding an apartment living abroad. A house-sitting option is usually longer than a week and can often be as long as a couple of months. This type of option will give you some time to live in the city of your choice before you need to start thinking about buying or renting living abroad options. Look to platforms like House Carers, Trusted Housesitters, or Mind My House to find interesting house sitting options all over the world. People ask you to stay in their home to care for it and to take care of the pets they have. This option may only be available for 2 to 4 weeks but it certainly offers you enough time to get to your destination and find long-term accommodations in your destination.
Home Exchange
This is a great option for older travelers who have a home. A Home exchange is where you offer your home up for a set amount of time in exchange for someone else’s home in another country. This offers a great option to live cheaply and get to know a different place. Use a site like Home Exchange to find someone else who wants to exchange their home.
Most people don’t choose this option because they worry about it being secure, but you have to remember that the other homeowners are also trusting you to take care of their home. Intervac Home Exchange is also another resource for listing your home. Most people who exchange homes are like-minded and sometimes neighbors come by to check up on things.
Airbnb
Airbnb can be a great option even for longer stays. These rentals offer furnished apartments or rooms to people when traveling. This type of accommodation abroad is cheaper than staying in a hotel and you can often get a discount when you stay for a longer period of time. When you stay at an Airbnb you get the comfort of home at a price you can afford. However, if you are a solo traveler this option maybe a little more expensive. An Airbnb or Wimdu rental costs more than a hostel. However, usually, it does come with all amenities including a kitchen.
A Farm Stay
If you want to learn about the rural life of a country, consider a farm stay. This type of accommodation abroad is not a farm work option but a farm stay, where you learn a bit about the farm and how it works at your leisure and when you want.
Rent a Room
Consider renting a room when you first arrive abroad. This can be a smart type of accommodation abroad when you are first trying to find a place to live after moving overseas. Once you have arrived at your destination, you can look around to find an apartment you like. You can look at Housing Anywhere to find a room for rent.
Ask for Help from Friends
If you have friends in the country where you want to move abroad consider asking for help looking at apartments. You can review apartments on Facebook Market or on Craigslist, and then ask your friends to take a look at them and to talk to the rental agent or owner for you. You can sign a short-term lease before arriving. If you decide that this is the place you want to stay, sign a longer contract once your first contract has expired.
A Rental Agent Who Caters to Expats
Find a rental agent who caters to Expats. Many real estate agents work specifically with the Expat and Digital Nomad community. You can locate a reputable Rental Agent from Expat and Digital Nomad Facebook groups and international social organizations like asmallworld, and find a Rental Agent for the specific foreign country and city you are looking to live in.
If you decide to use a local rental agent be sure to read the lease carefully. Be sure to ask about who is responsible for maintenance and repairs and other specific terms of the lease, like how to pay the rent. If the lease is in a foreign language be sure to get someone to translate it for you.
It’s Your Choice
Clearly, there are many types of accommodations abroad. Weigh the positives and negatives of each accommodation option as you begin your journey to living abroad.
