Reviews of cities, countries, employers and services abroad

Housing

Private studio rental through agency, Amsterdam West· Amsterdam

Good flat, expensive and a stressful process

My studio is modern, well insulated and 12 minutes by bike from work, so I am happy living here. The process through the agency was less pleasant. They required a gross income of three times the rent, an employer statement, pay slips and a copy of my passport. The deposit was two months' rent. Viewings were group viewings with ten or more people. Once I signed, the landlord has been responsive, fixing a leaking tap within two days. At 1,650 euros for 38 square metres, it is expensive, but this is the Amsterdam market.

Modern, well insulated

Responsive landlord

High rent for the size

Strict income requirements

Wanjiru Kamau2 months ago5

Housing

Share house via Oakhouse, Tokyo· Tokyo

An easy, sociable first home in Tokyo

I booked a room in an Oakhouse share house from France before I arrived and moved in on my second day in Japan. The English contract and low upfront cost were exactly what I needed. My room was small but clean and furnished, and the common fee included utilities and wifi. Common areas were cleaned twice a week by staff. Housemates were a mix of Japanese and foreign residents, which helped my Japanese. The downsides were thin walls, occasional queues for the shower and a kitchen that depended on everyone's habits. For a first six to twelve months, I would recommend it.

English contracts

Low upfront cost

Housing

Mid-term furnished room via rental platform, Lisbon Arroios· Lisbon

Convenient on arrival, poor value for money

I rented a furnished room in a shared apartment in Arroios for four months through a mid-term rental platform. Booking from Brazil was easy, and I had an address from day one, which helped with paperwork. But at 750 euros a month for a small room, it was expensive. The photos made the room look much bigger. The heating did not work well, and in winter the apartment was cold and damp. Communication with the management company was slow, and a repair took three weeks. I would only use this option for the first few weeks while searching.

Easy to book from abroad

Address for registration from day one

Expensive for the size