Expat Checklist – First 3 Weeks
Part 2 of 3
Now that you have your documents sorted, you know the basics of moving around and can be contactable; let’s get you settled and comfortable asap.
Here’s a quick checklist for your First 3 Weeks upon arriving in your new city.
Checklist: First 3 Weeks of Moving Overseas
School Search
-
- Public Schools
- Private Schools
- Specialized Schools
Home Search
-
- Which neighborhood
Prioritize what lifestyle you would like to build. - Furnished or unfurnished
Unfurnished accommodations may be cheaper than furnished, but also calculate the amount you’d have to spend buying furniture.
If you intend to stay in the same place for more than two years, then perhaps you’d get your ROI for your furniture purchase.
- Agent or No Agent
Good real estate agents would be able to negotiate down a rental price for you, facilitate a smooth and clean hand-over, and review that the tenancy agreement conditions would not be disadvantageous to you.
- Which neighborhood
Wifi and Utilities
-
- Electricity
- Water
- Gas
- Home Insurance
Area Orientation – find where you can get your daily and weekly needs
-
- Market
- Grocery
- Local
- International
- Specialized
- Personal Care Services
- Hair Salon
- Nair Salon
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Place of worship
Tip #1: Ask a Local
Locals offer a wealth of knowledge.
What’s the reputation of schools, neighborhoods, brands, etc?
Where do they shop, live, go for recreational activities? Where’s the traffic?
Tip #2: Neighborhood
Your address affects your daily life.
Where you could easily go, who you’re likely to meet, what opportunities you’d find at random.
What’s your priority?
- Close to children’s school?
- Close to social meeting places?
- Close to nature?
- Somewhere quiet or with a lot of city buzz?
- Somewhere preferred more by locals or by expats?
Your neighborhood choice also defines the food, stores, and lifestyle available around your house.
Tip #3: Real Estate Agents
If you’re confident that you know the local housing market norms, then you might save on agency fees by finding direct landlord postings from social media and other apps. Be careful though!
I’ve seen some expats get turned-off by the starting point of rental prices that their agents present to them. Too high, not too flexible, etc. These expats ultimately pursue their own rental without the help of an agent; but at a different cost (usually less favorable lease agreement terms).
Yes, you can DIY (do-it-yourself); but from my experience, the satisfaction rate is much higher for the expats that have chosen to go with a real estate agent.
Good real estate agents know, from many years of experience, what type of landlords, neighborhoods, and housing conditions are acceptable and suitable for foreigners who have just moved abroad.
Remember that you’re already adjusting to so many things! You’d likely need an apartment and area that makes you feel at home, safe, and with a sense of comfort and belonging.
Join the discussion 4 Comments