5 Tips When Looking For Temporary Accommodation in a Foreign City

Illustration © 2015 Oggie Ramos of www.lagalog.com

Moving to a new city can be difficult, especially if it’s your first time to be away from the comforts of home. Trying to find temporary accommodation can often add to stress. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be this way. Here are five tips when looking for temporary properties in a foreign city.

Do your research
If this is your first time living in a foreign city, research the marketplace to decide the best place for you. Do you want to live in the city center where convenience stores and trains are nearby? Does the peacefulness of a park appeal to you?

How about the laid-back vibe of the suburbs? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your property search and give you a better idea of what you want in your new temporary home. Online property finding websites like Zipmatch, a Philippine real estate marketplace, can provide you with a list of accommodations based on your requirements and match you up with a real estate professional, if you so desire.


Proper inspection of the property
Enlisting the services of an estate agent can help you find a property if you are new to a city. You should ask for a tour and inspect potential properties just like what you would do if it was your permanent residence. Pay close attention to any damage inside the house, and ask the landlord about the neighbors and local amenities. If you will be travelling back and forth, find out who will maintain and manage the property when you won't be there.

Budget
Your monthly rent shouldn't exceed 30% of your income. If you can't afford a particular property, look elsewhere.

Take the time to work through your finances and create a budget that you can stick to before you start your property search. If there are areas in your finances where you can make some cuts, you might want to opt for a more convenient home. Using computer software to create your budget can help you here, and you will be able to update this as you progress through your real estate hunt.

Expand your property search
If you are temporarily moving abroad or another city for business, you will want to be as close to your work as possible. However, depending on your budget, you might have to sacrifice location for price. Look outside the most popular areas of the city to find a home that will cost you less every month. If you rely on public transport, look for a location with good bus or train links that will get you to work on time every day. The home you decide to rent will, again, depend on your finances. If it costs too much to commute from a particular suburb to your workplace, keep looking.

Negotiate
Some landlords will let you negotiate on rental fees. If you've found the perfect place to live, it might be worth looking at other properties in the area with similar amenities. You might just get a better deal if you are patient enough. The landlord might even lower the rent if you pay for several months in advance, or if you commit to a property for a longer period. Don't be afraid to ask the landlord if there's room for negotiation - you might be surprised and it doesn’t hurt to ask.