When leaving your country for a new adventure abroad, finding accommodation can be a major concern, whether you are moving alone or with your family. And it becomes especially difficult in times of COVID-19 and economic crisis to find affordable accommodation options. Homesharing is an interesting option not only for saving in terms of costs but also for a smoother transition.
Homesharing allows making new friends
Arriving in a new country sometimes feels like you are uprooted, alone and isolated. If the language is different and the way of working changes, it can be pretty challenging to make friends upon settling down.
Homesharing can then turn out to be an interesting tactical choice. Moreover, community life makes it possible to exchange quickly with locals or other expatriates (whether of the same nationality or not). In a way, you can expect to make enriching encounters with like-minded people.
This life experience can be enriching not only on the human aspect but also on the practical aspect. For example, homesharing can help you learn a new language more quickly, discuss the different aspects of your host country and thus get acquainted with the habits and customs in place. It also gives you the opportunity to forge strong bonds.
Moving abroad can be a rewarding experience, but it also brings challenges and mixed feelings, including doubt and fear. In such moments, the microcosm created during home sharing can act as a substitute "family" and turn out to be a landmark or a pillar to help you face this difficult moment. Thanks to homesharing, residents are able to take care of each other and provide the necessary support.
Shared tenancy as an economy in the face of rising rents
In some countries, rents have constantly been rising in the past few years. Finding affordable housing has therefore become a challenge for people who have just arrived in a new country. This is especially true in some of the world's biggest cities, thus boosting homesharing and allowing expatriates to save on rent. For example, in a city like Vancouver, Canada, the rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranges between $ 1,600 and $ 1,900 per month. For comparison, you can rent a room in a shared apartment for around $ 900 to $ 1,200. This significant difference allows expatriates to settle more peacefully in their new life while saving some money. Likewise, some people might not earn enough for them to afford individual accommodation. So in cities where rent prices are soaring, homesharing might be the only option for expats.
Finally, it's worth noting that in some cities, the rental system might require new tenants to provide referrals from their previous rentals (often referrals from the same city or country). Homesharing makes things easier. In fact, tenants can be important contact persons for expatriates as it may help them get in touch with owners who can, in turn, provide referrals in the future.
Moving abroad is a fantastic adventure with many challenges and pleasant surprises. Understanding the rental system and adapting to it is one of them. Still, homesharing looks like the ideal option for settling at your own pace while avoiding spending (sometimes astronomical) sums on your rental.
