Should we get short-term accommodation when relocating?

Should we get short-term accommodation when relocating?

If you are relocating to a different city or country, you know that the to-do list is endless and the process can be very stressful. One way to make a move is to book in some short-term accommodation for arrival, with the plan of taking care of their long-term housing situation once they are settled in. With so much to juggle during the planning and preparation stage of moving, it makes perfect sense that some settle for short-term rentals for the first couple of weeks until they can search for a long-term solution. However, while this plan is a viable option, it can potentially create major headaches down the line and can take much more out of your pocket than necessary.

Whether you are relocating in a personal capacity or with the assistance of your employer, we will share some useful tips to help make your relocation journey as simple and budget-friendly as can be.

Why do employers favour short-term accommodation when relocating staff?

During corporate relocation, many companies who move their staff or new recruits to a new city place them in a house for a month, the newly relocated family then have four weeks to find alternative housing with a long-term lease. For employers, this is an easy fix as their employees are taken care of for the first couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this is a highly stressful situation for some, exacerbated somewhat when considering Australia’s current rental crisis.

Whether you are relocating to Australia or elsewhere in the world, one month goes by much quicker than you think and doesn’t often allow sufficient time to search for long-term accommodation and sign a lease. Not to mention that the first couple of months in a new city (and job) comes with plenty of added stress — settling in, getting to know your new environment, dealing with relocation admin, experiencing new cultures, adapting to a new routine, making friends, settling kids into a new school….

After one month, people often find themselves in a tricky situation where they haven’t found alternative housing or a suitable home, but the move-in date doesn’t align with the end of their short-term contract. This forces them to continue jumping from one short-term stay to the next.

The cons:

●      Higher cost: Short-term accommodation tends to be much more expensive than long-term rentals. Landlords and rental agencies know that people needing short-term accommodation are often willing to pay a premium for convenience. As a result, you may end up paying significantly more than you would for a longer-term rental

●      Limited privacy and space: Short-term accommodation is often smaller and less private than longer-term options. You will get less space at a much higher price, but it can also be challenging to share the space with co-workers or family members.

●      Limited flexibility: Short-term accommodation is temporary. You may have to move out at short notice, which can be disruptive and stressful. You also won't have the freedom to furnish the space to your liking, as short-term accommodation is often fully furnished and has fixed amenities. This can make the space feel impersonal, affecting your overall mood and state of mind during an already challenging time.

●      Difficulty adjusting and building connections: One of the biggest challenges of relocating to a new city or country is adjusting to the local culture. When you stay in short-term accommodation, immersing yourself in the local community is much trickier. This can make it challenging to feel like you belong in your new home and make the relocation process more isolating, leading to homesickness or culture shock.

●      Schooling: Often, a local state school will require an actual lease agreement to confirm catchment rules have been met, and a short-term accommodation address will not be accepted. If attending a government school, enrolment would have to wait until a more permanent address is acquired.

The solution?

To sidestep the issues caused by short-term accommodation when relocating, the simple solution is to secure a long-term lease with the help of a relocation professional before your arrival. Not only does this cut out the need to move twice and save major costs by eliminating expensive short-term stays, but it also offers endless possibilities for additional support during the moving process. Further to this, if you have a legitimate lease agreement by the time you arrive in your new city, you unlock access to countless other items on your to-do list — from entering your kids in school or day-care to setting up your local banking accounts and connecting utilities at your new home.

Claymore Thistle is an Australia-based professional relocation agency that offers personal and corporate relocation support to relieve the moving process's stress. Whether you are moving abroad or interstate, they can manage your entire relocation journey — from doing property viewings and lease negotiations on your behalf to helping you ship your belongings, safely relocate your pets, and making sure you have a soft landing in your new home.

The Expatriate always tries to make sure all information is accurate. However, when reading our website, please always consider our Disclaimer policy.