Depending on your situation, how much time you have, whether you can commit to buying a home and your personal lifestyle you will have to choose between a hotel and corporate housing.
Here are some features of temporary housing to look for and some tips to help you make the most of your temporary housing…
Use the Time to Blend In
In most cases, temporary housing means living in a place that has with everything: utilities, furnishings, amenities and hi speed internet, albeit on short term basis. If you don’t like living in a hotel then use your time in temporary housing to blend in, live like a local and find your way around.
Go House Shopping
Most people who move abroad use temporary housing to carry out their property search if they are buying a home. Opting for temporary housing means that you can enjoy the experience of staying in a comfortable, home like environment while you look for a new house and not have to put up with the impersonal environment that a hotel would offer.
Space Considerations
Temporary housing offers more space than a hotel. Most places will come with a well equipped kitchen, a laundry room, separate bedroom, a living room and dining room as compared to a hotel room/suite. If you have a family, temporary housing just makes the move less stressful as you have enough space for everyone in the interim period. This means that you can live your life like you normally do without feeling like you are trapped in tiny confines.
Cost Effective
Temporary housing options, particularly those located in remote areas, are very economical and utilitarian. The rates quoted with a furnished rental are usually all inclusive (you will receive a list of all that’s included with the price from each provider). Hotel chains are known to publish a particular rate which may seem attractive and competitive. But a closer look reveals that there are a lot of hidden costs ranging from Internet fees, amenity fees, etc. Look closely at the fine print to ensure you aren’t going to end up over budget on fees.
Better Amenities
Most temporary housing facilities offer equally nice, if not nicer, amenities than hotels. Except for food and beverages that come with your mini bar in a hotel, your temporary housing will have everything you need.
There are some temporary housing options that offer services like coffee in the lobby. However, you can always stop by a good local restaurant or coffee shop for a quick bite if you don’t want to bother with cooking. You could even order take out.
Tax Considerations
The use of temporary housing may require that you enter in to a lease agreement. No lease is required in extended hotel stay options if you negotiate a more attractive rate based on your expected length of stay. However there could be a penalty if you choose to stay for a shorter period. Also, each geographic area has certain laws associated with occupancy and sales tax as it relates to furnished rentals. The good part is that once you have satisfied a specified period of time, tax is no longer applicable.
More Expat Resources
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