Tempted to sign a year lease before arriving so it's sorted — but part of me thinks I should land in a short-term place first and learn the neighbourhoods. What did you do and would you do it again?
Short-term first worked well for me — specifically avoided a neighbourhood I’d have regretted committing to based on the map alone.
Leaning toward short-term first after reading this, thank you.
We're doing short-term first with the kids, mainly because of what people said here: four weeks of temporary rental and viewings in person. My wife wanted to sign something long-term from here, and this thread helped me explain why I disagreed without it becoming an argument.
We rented a winter let on the coast for three months before buying anything, and I'm very glad we did. Firstly, we learned that the pretty village we'd fallen in love with in August was completely shut from November to March, including the only café. Secondly, we learned which side of the valley the fog sits on. Neither of those would have shown up on a viewing.
decided on short-term. six weeks in a sublet, then look properly. thanks all
Ben, the fog side of the valley is such a specific thing to learn and I love it. Short-term first worked for me in Lyon too.
With a family, short-term is more expensive per week but cheaper than a mistake. We did six weeks and found a flat near the school we'd chosen, instead of choosing a school near a flat we'd signed for from abroad.
Short-term first, every time. The neighbourhood you think you want is rarely the one you end up loving.
Six weeks in a sublet is a very good plan, Tomasz. Enough time to learn the area without paying hotel prices.
Same approach, no regrets.