Moving Abroad

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beccalou591
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2016 5:27 pm

Moving Abroad

Post by beccalou591 »

Hi everyone! This may be posted somewhere else but I can't find it anywhere. I'm sure many schools are different but generally, what does the housing situation look like once you accept a job? Does the school or agency (I'm considering joining SEARCH) provide housing or help you find a place to live? Or is finding a place to live completely on you? That's one of my major concerns.
wrldtrvlr123
Posts: 1173
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
Location: Japan

Re: Moving Abroad

Post by wrldtrvlr123 »

As our British friends like to ask, "How long is a piece of string"?

The whole housing experience will vary wildly from school to school, location to location. Some schools will meet you at the airport, take you to a lovely furnished apt. where you will find the kitchen stocked with food and a gift basket waiting for you (and then have someone take you to get bank account, mobile phone, etc). Others will expect you to get yourself through customs and to a hotel and then find your own apt. (with possibly some grumbling help from a local staff member). Some schools will have on campus housing or their own building/complex where all teachers stay.

Generally, most schools will offer some type of assistance with either providing, finding housing and/or help with leases, getting utilities figured out etc. Often the biggest concern is making sure that your housing allowance will cover at least a decent place or that the provided housing is in a location/condition that will not add more stress to your life (and is decently maintained if something breaks and needs to be replaced.
mamava
Posts: 320
Joined: Sat May 11, 2013 7:56 am

Re: Moving Abroad

Post by mamava »

We've been put up in temp housing for a couple weeks and then found housing with the help of the school, we've been assigned housing, and we've lived in housing provided by the school for the first year after choosing neighborhoods and seeing pictures. It really depends on so many factors with the school, the local laws, and the conditions of each particular location.
Helen Back
Posts: 242
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:16 pm

Re: Moving Abroad

Post by Helen Back »

I worked at one school that provided an apartment, one that set us up with a realtor when we arrived, and one that sent us realtor listings before arrival, so we could choose before arriving.
beccalou591
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2016 5:27 pm

Re: Moving Abroad

Post by beccalou591 »

Thanks guys! So it seems like generally, the school will help you in some capacity.
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Response

Post by PsyGuy »

::looking around for Sid:: Depends, how long is a piece of string.

First, SA nor any of the premium agencies will help you with housing. They provide access to the jobs database and to fairs. They dont assist with housing.

Assistance will depend a lot on the IS, its resources and your location.
Generally you find the following types of options:

1) IS Provided Housing: This is the most convenient but also the most restrictive. You get off the plan make your way (or are picked up at the airport) and deposited at your new apartment with the keys and often a welcome basket and maybe some basic groceries for at least a few days. All the utilities will be working and you can hit the ground running. Quality varies but your housing will meet at least some resemblance of western standards, which may be opulent compared to what the locals typically have available. The problem is that you have no choice. The IS puts you where they put you, about the only option or control you have will be over size and thats going to be dictated by the size of your family unit. ITs may be housed in the same complex, meaning you never leave the IS bubble, or they may be spread out with other ITs properties having better amenities or locations. You may get to move at the end of a year or when your contract is due for renewal, but you really cant do anything about your living situation.

2) Assisted Housing: In this scenario the IS puts you in contact with a property agent or relocation specialist who will often contact you in advance of your departure and ask you some questions about what you are looking for. Fell free to tell them what you are looking, but its important to have an idea of what standards are in the country you are going to. An experienced property agent will be able to tell you what you can afford and where with what your allowance is. You can always go into salary if you want more. In Tokyo for example how close you are to a train station has as much or more to do than size of a flat/apartment.
With this option a property agent should be able to provide you with the basics of available listings and some photos of the property and maybe the area. You should have a frank discussion with the agent about how they are compensated. If the IS is paying them a commission or placement fee this is good, you will get access to their full availability. If the IS isnt paying them, then they need to make their commission off of you or the property, and if its the property the agent may well not show you properties that have low or no commissions.
In some instances the IS will provide you with temporary housing (hotel, etc) for a short period of time while you find housing, and in such cases will often arrange a property agent to show you various locations.

3) DIY: This has the greatest amount of flexibility but is also the most time consuming depending on your location. In general if you are in a large capital city there is probably at least one if not more online property agents and search tools that you can do a pretty good job of finding exactly what you want and need. Maybe you want to live in a specific area, but its not very close to your IS, you can do that. If you want an apartment with a pool, gym, or close to a park with running trails you can do that. The hardest part of this si that you will have significant time requirements when you arrive. You will likely need to actually visit these properties even if you secure a property agent of your own, and like above they will need to be compensated either by you or by the property. If you do not use an agent you will likely need to fill out applications, obtain guarantees, purchase insurance, etc before you are allowed to move in. This is fine if you have budgeted that time into your pre-arrival schedule, but this will additionally have the extra cost of a hotel, etc while you find the perfect place.

In general the following are expectations you should have regardless of the housing type:

1) You should have no concerns about language barriers or something going wrong in your apartment. If something breaks or needs fixing and you cant contact the property owner, have someone in your ISs office contact the property owner.

2) This will vary but the IS should be providing some form of Guarantee to reduce the cost of your housing. In some regions its very difficult for ITs to rent a place on their own, or its prohibitively expensive.
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