Accomodation & Living

**SandyDown** · 22 July 2005, 14:52

Originally posted by jhorsfield30

Just some feedback from people on their tips for finding accomodation and scoping a new area.

Does anyone on a contract bother to find accomodation other than b&b and guest houses and does anyone interact with the local area?

I have always found my own apartment every where I go contracting, the exception is here in Germany, its provign to be a nightmare to get an apartment, the apartments are really small (studios same size as hotle rooms), and the unfurnished one really means unfurnished, i.e. not kitchen, not even a sink or taps, some peopel say in some cases the unfurnished flat means no floor either !!! hence staying in a very very nice hotel, but because I booked a fe months worth they gave a very good deal... I have also always tried to mix with the locals, and even went to dutch language classes while in Holland (still can't speak dutch though!!) I think it really inriches your experience about the different places you go, I traditionally fall in love with everywhere I go.. but I feel like a tourist on a never ending tour ....

**s2budd** · 25 July 2005, 12:40

Accomodation & Living

I can only stand B&B / Hotels for up to a few weeks at a time. After that it all gets a bit rubbish.

I usually start in a Hotel and then try to rent a room from someone who lives in the property where I will be renting or from one of the local buy to let people if I have to. Once or twice I have rented a flat but they tend to be very tedious in terms of bills and extra paper work.

I also find that renting this way is less expensive and I have "my things" arround me.

**MrsGoof** · 26 July 2005, 08:01

I once lived in a hotel in Hong Kong for 4 months. Despite being a great hotel , huge room, amazing view over the harbour and Kowloon I almost went mad.

Get some proper accomodation if you can, you can't imagine my elation when I got home and was able to cook myself some food.

**basshead** · 26 July 2005, 09:03

I started off renting a room and that was ok for a few months as the guy I shared with had a nice flat, all mod cons etc but I got bored/lonely so now I've moved into serviced apartments which have kitchens, dvd players, broadband, hifi and so on. Its more than double the cost but has a gym so I can stay in shape and other colleagues are staying there so it makes it much more bearable, cooking for each other etc. Having worked away from the family for a year now, I like to make the money, but happiness is worth more to me so don't mind shelling out

**jhorsfield30** · 28 July 2005, 14:02

Happiness begins at home?

I know what you mean, I have done alot of travelling in contracting myself and have always lived on the move. There comes a point on every contract if it is longer term that you have to settle a little and enjoy where you're living?

Accomodation & Living