Temporary Housing Options When Moving Abroad

During international moves, it’s common to experience delays while purchasing a permanent home or searching for long-term rental accommodation. Knowing how to find temporary housing when relocating is essential to ensure you have a comfortable, convenient place to stay when you arrive in a new country.

When you choose Atlas International, we’ll manage every aspect of your international move and help you find the right temporary accommodation for your needs. Let’s explore the different types of temporary relocation housing and what to consider before you book.

Understanding Various Temporary Housing Options

From hotels to private rentals, there are several temporary relocation housing options. The following are the most common.

Extended Stay Hotels

Unlike short-stay vacation hotels, extended-stay hotels provide a homier environment for longer-term use. They typically offer a broader range of facilities and services to help you maintain your regular family and working life, such as:

• In-room kitchens or kitchenettes
• Private living areas
• Wi-Fi
• Television services
• Laundry 
• Gyms
• Pools
• Pet-friendly accommodation

Long-stay hotels usually allow greater booking flexibility than short-stay establishments. If your plans change, many will let you stay longer without switching rooms. 

Corporate Housing

Corporate housing is a type of short-term rental designed for extended trips and long-distance relocations. Some businesses arrange corporate housing for employees who relocate for work purposes, so it’s worth asking your employer whether they offer accommodation assistance if you’re moving to work in an overseas office. 

Most corporate housing properties are condos and apartments, although some companies offer self-contained homes. They’re usually fully furnished and contain all the necessary facilities for comfortable living, such as appliances and kitchenware. Lease lengths vary between providers, but most contracts last 1 to 3 months. 

Since the coronavirus pandemic, demand for corporate housing has increased as more employees relocate to be closer to family. Therefore, early booking is essential to ensure access to suitable accommodation.

Sublets

Sometimes, renters sublet their rented rooms or homes to subtenants when they’re out of town. Subletting can benefit both parties by allowing renters to avoid breaking their lease contracts while providing temporary accommodation to others. 

This type of temporary relocation housing could be suitable if you have specific accommodation requirements. For example, families with multiple children may prefer to rent a sublet home with several bedrooms than stay in a hotel designed for smaller family units. High-quality sublets may also feel homier than other types of temporary accommodation.

However, there are also drawbacks to renting from an existing tenant. In many jurisdictions, the original tenant becomes your landlord, which could cause issues if they’re a long way away and you experience problems during your tenancy. You could also be at risk of eviction if you pay rent to the original tenant and they don’t pay their landlord on time or fail to ask permission before subletting to you. 

You can protect yourself by checking your sublease agreement thoroughly and ensuring you understand your rights and responsibilities as a sublessee in your new country. You could also ask to establish a relationship with the original landlord to pay your rent directly.

Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals, such as Air BnBs, can be excellent relocation temporary housing options, particularly during off-peak seasons. Many owners are keen to receive an income from their properties during quiet periods, so you can often find affordable and flexible deals for fully-furnished homes. 

However, the availability of vacation housing varies significantly between cities. If you’re relocating to a tourist hotspot, you’ll likely find various options. Smaller, less tourist-friendly locations may have fewer vacation properties available.

Real Estate Agencies

Real estate agencies simplify the search for a short-term rental by helping you identify properties that meet your needs and managing contracts and negotiations. However, not all real estate agencies deal with short-term leases, and you may need to shop around for an agency that manages your preferred tenancy type. 

Staying With Family or Friends

If you have family or friends in the city where you’re relocating, staying with them can be a cost-effective solution. Many people also find staying with loved ones comforting during an international move to an unfamiliar city. 

However, these informal accommodation arrangements sometimes cause tension without clearly established boundaries. Keeping communication open and ensuring everyone gets the space and privacy they need can help keep relationships positive.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Temporary Relocation Housing

Every international move is unique, and considering your individual circumstances and preferences can help you narrow down your temporary housing search. Consider the following factors.

Duration of Stay

The length of your stay impacts which temporary relocation housing solution suits you best. Vacation apartments and extension stay hotels can be excellent options for a few days or weeks, but you may need more space and privacy if you plan to stay for several months. 

Budget

Before committing to a short-term rental, ensure you understand what the price covers. Depending on your agreement, you may need to pay a deposit and additional fees for services and amenities. 

Location

While getting used to life in a new location can be exciting, it can also cause stress. Choosing temporary accommodation close to work, transport links and other essential facilities reduces stress during the first stages of your move, allowing you to focus on exploring your new environment. 

Amenities

Consider which amenities are most important to you. If you need to work from home, high-speed internet will likely feature on your list of must-haves. For families with young children, kid-friendly activities may be a high priority. 

Flexibility

If you’re unsure when you’ll move to more permanent housing, look for accommodation with flexible lease terms. Keep in mind that renters’ rights in other countries may differ from the United States, and you may incur penalties if your circumstances change and you need to change an inflexible lease agreement. 

Tips for Finding Temporary Housing

Familiarizing yourself with local rules and accommodation options can help you find suitable temporary accommodation. Online expat guides and forums are often excellent sources of local knowledge, helping you understand what rental options to expect and your rights as a renter in your new country. 

Realtors can also help you find the best property for your needs. A local realtor will have extensive knowledge of the area, enabling them to advise you on lease structures, neighborhoods and accommodation types.

Before entering a rental arrangement, evaluate the property to ensure it’s suitable. Factors to consider include:

• Wi-Fi speed
• Local transport links
• Nearby amenities
• Proximity to work 
• Included services, such as laundry and gym access
• Kitchen, dining and living room facilities

Finally, consider asking for recommendations from locals and other expats. They may be able to suggest real estate agents experienced in finding temporary housing or recommend companies with suitable accommodation portfolios. If you use an international moving service, your movers may recommend a temporary housing provider. 

Need More Guidance? Reach Out to Atlas International

With decades of experience managing seamless international moves, Atlas International can help you find the ideal temporary housing solution to meet your needs. When you work with us, we’ll leverage our partnerships and resources to simplify your search. Contact us today to discuss your move with one of our experts, or visit our website for a free quote.