Whether for school, work or leisure, moving to Europe can be an exciting experience — but it can also feel overwhelming. There’s a lot to juggle, from handling legal requirements to navigating healthcare and cultural differences. On top of that, finding a home that fits your needs and budget can be difficult, which is why planning is important.

In today’s post, we’ll provide a simple checklist to help ensure your relocation goes smoothly, making your house-hunting experience stress-free.

Checklist for finding the right apartment

Regardless of your preferences, here are seven major things to look out for first when house hunting:

Budget:

The last thing you want to do while living in a new city or country is spend most of your income or savings on rent. Before renting an apartment, set aside a realistic budget to make sure you don’t overspend, considering not just the rent but also extra costs like utilities, maintenance, and other living expenses.

Also read: Seven proven hacks to slash accommodation costs while traveling

Legal requirements:

Different countries have different laws for foreigners interested in renting or buying property. Familiarise yourself with these legalities and restrictions for renting in Europe to avoid cheating and stay on the right side of the law.

Reviews:

Before renting or buying an apartment, check reviews of the property and neighbourhood to protect yourself from potential problems. Look out for red flags such as unusually low rent, water damage, lack of documentation, and no or slow communication from the landlord or agent.

Safety:

Ensuring the safety and security of your new home is non-negotiable. Make thorough research on the crime rates of the neighbourhood you want to move to, the building security, emergency exits, and access to emergency services like hospitals and fire stations.

Location:

When renting a home, location is everything. Depending on your needs, consider the distance between your home and your work or school. If you relocate with your family, you’d want to ensure proximity to schools, daycare centres, parks, and healthcare facilities.

Utilities and services:

Another vital factor to consider when house hunting is the availability of essential utilities such as water, internet connection, electricity, gas, air conditioning and heating.

Transportation:

Before renting a new apartment, you should also consider the proximity to public transportation like buses and trains, ensuring it fits your budget. And if you’ll be driving, familiarise yourself with the traffic rules and ensure there’s parking available.

Now that you know what to look out for, let’s explore some common ways to find an apartment in Europe:

• Local agents: House agents are one of the most popular and best ways to find an apartment, regardless of where you are. They can offer personalised recommendations based on your preferences and budget. They also have a good knowledge of the area, helping you get exclusive house listings that might not be online.
• Social media groups: Social media groups, especially Facebook, are another great resource when house hunting. You can get real-time listings, direct contact with landlords, and tips to avoid falling victim to scams.
• Websites: Look for reliable house-hunting websites that allow you to filter properties based on price and location and see user reviews of the landlords, agents and properties. This would help make sure your house-hunting experience is convenient and stress-free. Some websites that can help you with house-hunting include Zillow, Co-Living, Airbnb, Savills, and Housingtarget.com.
• Networking: Don’t hesitate to ask your friends, family, or coworkers if they know of any available rentals or have housing advice. This is often an excellent way to find affordable places.

Wrapping up

House hunting can be difficult, especially in a new city or country, but you can find your dream home with the proper preparation and patience. Hopefully, this checklist helps make your search easier. With Grey, you can seamlessly manage your finances from anywhere, making your transition smoother!

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