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Bucketlist Bri

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How to Find & Rent an Apartment in Another Country

Last Updated: December 28, 2022 · Digital Nomad, Living Abroad, Slow Travel

As slow-traveling digital nomads, we often get asked, “How do you find housing in the countries you travel to?” After exchanging glances with Paul, I start, “Well…” And in short, I explain that renting an apartment overseas involves a whole bunch of keyboard strokes.

The main difference? Housing abroad is often much cheaper (depending on where you live, obviously). It’s also much easier to rent for extended periods.

Ultimately, our journey as digital nomads over the last 6–7 years has taught us that finding the “golden nuggets” of accommodation options abroad takes patience and practice!

But practically speaking, how does one rent an apartment abroad even if you’re not in the country yet? How do you send money across currencies without incurring huge bank fees, and what should you be wary of?

woman sitting in bright apartment rental abroad sipping coffee

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

I will be answering all the FAQs about renting accommodation in another country. This is how Paul and I have been able to find incredible places to live around the world; from a tiny home on an ancient volcano slope in Guatemala to a beachside boho studio in Mexico and beyond.

Note: This guide does not talk about renting an apartment overseas as a new or temporary resident in that country. Instead, I share my tips as to how to find and rent accommodation in other countries, majorly via the internet, as a nomadic remote worker.

Table of Contents show
Guide: Renting an Apartment Abroad for Digital Nomads
Finding Apartments Abroad via Local Facebook Groups
Renting an Extended Stay on Airbnb
Contacting Hosts on Airbnb for Extended (Reduced) Stays
Flatio.com & Other Rental Websites
Finding Accommodation Overseas via Coliving & Coworking Spaces
Local Housing vs Expat Options — Which Is Best?
Sending Money Overseas — How to Pay Your Rent
Final Thoughts on Renting an Apartment Abroad

Guide: Renting an Apartment Abroad for Digital Nomads

Finding housing abroad as a digital nomad can be overwhelming. Like, where do you even start to look?

Over the years, we have relied on the trusty internet to do (most) of the hard work for us. Thanks to local Facebook groups, rental websites, and Airbnb, we’ve managed to find apartments and local accommodation we’d otherwise never find just by walking around the streets and searching in person.

That’s why, even if we do happen to be in the same country when searching for housing, we always start looking online first. When we do, our primary goal is to find local housing versus commercially-owned or expat-owned housing.

Finding Apartments Abroad via Local Facebook Groups

boho chic studio in Tulum Mexico with cat lounging on chair with sun shining through windows
Our cute and airy studio in Tulum, Mexico (ft. Yoda lol)

Local Facebook groups are jam-packed with accommodation options! But not any Facebook group, of course. To find housing in your desired destination (such as a top digital nomad city around the world or a digital nomad hub in Mexico), join the best local Facebook group.

What that means is you need to find the sub-groups of the destination that are targeted specifically for finding or renting housing. Not only will you find active listings posted nearly every day, but you are free to post (and introduce) yourself in these types of groups as well.

screenshot of Antigua Guatemala Facebook group for finding and renting local housing

If you post in a huge destination Facebook group, you’re going to get ignored or get shat on by haters.

Tips for finding good deals:

  • When posting your request, write in BOTH languages if you can (use Deepl for better translations).
  • Don’t state your maximum budget.
  • Keep posts short & pithy; no one needs to read about your spiritual journey in order to learn that you’re in need of a place to live (lol).
  • Check at least 1–2 months out, if possible, but if not, search actively every day!
  • Don’t hesitate to DM, comment, and get in touch with listings right away. I will reach out by WhatsApp to negotiate and present myself more if needed.
  • Ask whoever’s renting their place out to send you a video walk-through, and make sure to ask them about the wifi speed!

Facebook groups are the best way, in my opinion, to find housing in another country. You will get the most affordable rates in comparison to renting on Airbnb.

Renting an Extended Stay on Airbnb

apartment rental in san cristobal mexico
Our rental apartment in San Cristobal, Mexico (ft. Yoda)

Airbnb is not the obvious choice when it comes to long-term rentals of 1–3 to 3–6 months. However, it has worked for us many a time, and we continue to use Airbnb to search for amazing deals whenever we move countries.

The downside with Airbnb is that you don’t have that much leeway in terms of negotiation. It’s clear that Airbnb hosts earn more money with short-term deals than they do long-term, except…

…when you travel in the off-season, during a global pandemic, or somehow find the type of host that prefers long-term guests so they can kick their feet up and earn passively without having to change out the sheets every 1–2 days. (Know what I mean?)

Nonetheless, many digital nomads don’t even tempt to reach out on Airbnb once they see the “estimated cost” for a 30-day stay. The prices shown are insane, I know, so here’s what to do when you find a place on Airbnb you’d like to rent out for more than a month or two:

Contacting Hosts on Airbnb for Extended (Reduced) Stays

1. Select the dates for your desired stay — they don’t need to be exact!

2. Instead of reserving (obviously don’t), scroll down the page, click “Contact Host” and send them a sweet and personalized message. Use their names, get a little detailed about yourself, and reveal your cards quite clearly. No one on Airbnb likes to feel like they’re getting scammed, so you got to get really honest and non-spammy in your messaging.

3. Since Airbnb’s policies actually go against “exchanging off the platform” you won’t be able to leave your number to take the conversation further. BUT, you can encrypt it! So instead of using numbers, mix it up and use numbered words, or even numbers in a different language that can be understood easily. Example: “six, 1, dos, and 33, and then two, finally XYZ.” Silly? Maybe. But it works!

4. Once you exchange numbers, you can negotiate further. Tell them how an extended stay is beneficial for them as well as you.

This tactic doesn’t work every time, but you’d be surprised at how often people are interested, and how many nomads simply don’t ask or even dare to try!

grey cat stretching on floor in cute apartment in Tulum Mexico
I often miss our apartment rental in Mexico!

Flatio.com & Other Rental Websites

Though this has yet to happen to us because the first two methods are so effective (to date), there is the option to use other rental website services such as Flatio.

I only just discovered Flatio recently, but basically, it’s like the extended stay version of Airbnb, except with better rental prices and guaranteed support. You don’t need to sneakily reach out to hosts to snag a great deal. Everything is upfront.

While I haven’t used this service yet, it looks like it could be a great way to find accommodation if you are wanting to base yourself somewhere in Europe.

It looks like most of the accommodation options listed are for major cities across Europe like Lisbon or Porto in Portugal.

But interestingly enough, you’ll also find apartments abroad for rent in unexpected places such as Sydney, Australia, or Buenos Aires, Argentina. I even saw a place listed in Zimbabwe!

Finding Accommodation Overseas via Coliving & Coworking Spaces

screenshot of Selina colivng and coworking website for finding rentals and accommodation overseas
As you can see, a room in Selina (Lisbon location) is kind of expensive (price includes coworking, facilities, and all events).

Since Paul and I travel full-time with our cat, Yoda, we never had the chance to live in a coliving or coworking space. Even if we were free to do so, it’s always double the price compared to the local gems we tend to find.

Nevertheless, if you are a solo female traveler or a flexible digital nomad couple with a higher monthly budget, sometimes you can land awesome deals in coliving and coworking spaces around the world.

The Selina franchise is a great example of this. They have locations in hundreds of top digital nomad destinations.

Want to be a nomad in Mexico? Practice yoga and work lakeside as a nomad in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala? Portugal? Colombia?

Selina usually pops up in places that attract freedom-seeking souls, backpackers, and digital nomads.

So if you’re heading somewhere cute with a decent amount of coffee shops, nightlife, or Instagram photo spots, you can bet Selina will be lurking around a street corner. 👀

Local Housing vs Expat Options — Which Is Best?

I try to practice responsible tourism wherever I go, and this typically means I don’t support big companies who are moochin’ off and exploiting local communities.

That doesn’t mean I’m comparing expat housing to corruption, or pitting local accommodation against expat accommodation, mkay?

However, if we aren’t careful, we can unknowingly support huge real estate corps because they make housing for wealthier expats and remote workers who are happy to overpay because, to them, $2500 for a 2-bedroom with a pool and on-site gym is a great deal compared to rental prices back home. But if the local housing is $500-800/month then the choice to overpay 4-5x will hurt the community.

This is the case for places like Tulum Mexico, for example. Real estate there is booming, but in such a way that’s pushing the locals out of their homes while destroying the surrounding natural environment.

So, the question remains: should you stay in more local housing or accommodation for expats with all the shiny nuts and bolts?

I can’t answer this question for you, but I will say that local housing often provides more than enough creature comforts to live well, without having to contribute to irresponsible tourism.

Not to mention, locally-owned housing (by locals or long-time expats residing there) is more affordable, too! ✨

Sending Money Overseas — How to Pay Your Rent

Wise is the best online tool for sending money to another country/currency

Long gone are the days where you have to wait for 7–10 business days to execute an international bank transfer (or, is that just the millennial in me speaking?).

No matter where we are, or what currency we need to pay our rent in, Paul and I have always used Wise (formerly TransferWise). And only once have we used Xoom, a service by PayPal.

Wise is simply the best for sending and receiving funds in multiple currencies. It’s so easy and the fees are minimal. If I remember correctly, to send roughly $650 USD in Mexican pesos (to a Mexican account), I only incurred a $7 or $10 fee.

The best part?

The money typically arrives instantly, or within a few hours!

Final Thoughts on Renting an Apartment Abroad

Were you expecting me to reveal a big secret about how to find accommodation overseas as a nomad??

I receive so many DMs about our past Airbnbs, housing, etc, (y’all remember the cute tiny house we rented in Guatemala or the boho-chic studio with a huge jungle garden in Tulum?), so I hope this post helps answer any questions you have about “our process.”

While they’re not perfect, these tactics have helped us secure housing in countries from Mexico, Belgium, Colombia, Guatemala, France, and more!

If you have any tips or suggestions, feel free to comment down below. Happy apartment hunting!

Save this guide to Pinterest!

girl sitting in apartment abroad with text overlay "finding housing overseas"
gallery of apartment rentals overseas with text overlay

By: Bri · In: Digital Nomad, Living Abroad, Slow Travel

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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