You've made your decision to leave Spain. Now the preparation starts and it's a job that will require a lot of time and effort. A well-planned relocation can ensure you don’t forget anything important and adapt to a new country quickly and easily. But where do you start that preparation? From sorting out taxes, health coverage and permits to searching for a school, house or even a furniture storage solution, there are plenty of things plan for and the earlier you work on them, the better. The home search is one of the first things expats should focus on, since so many issues depend on it, i.e. what school you should choose for your children. Selecting the right home will contribute to your well-being and it can make a big difference to how well you adjust to your new country. Over the years and with the knowledge gleaned from our hundreds of successful relocations, we've identified some important areas to focus on when it comes finding a new home abroad: 1. Location When deciding the neighborhood (or town) where you would like to live, ask yourself the following questions: - Is it convenient to commute to work? - Can my children easily get to school and to other extra-curricular activities? - Is there public transport and/or a school bus route nearby? - Are there shops and other amenities within a reasonable distance? - Is it a quiet and family-friendly area? 2. Affordability Many people choose their future homes before they leave Spain. This is not necessarily an inconvenience, but it does mean you need to do a bit more research. Your available income in the new country will depend on many factors, from local taxes to your lifestyle. Are you familiar with the local taxes? Have you compared the cost of living in your new country with the cost of living in France? What activities are you planning to do in your leisure time? Considering all these before starting your home search will help you set a realistic budget for your future home. 3. Availability So you've chosen the ideal area, but what if there are no flats available or no homes within your budget? Sometimes it might just take several weeks to find the right place, perhaps even more. Depending on your destination city, the demand and offer of homes can vary significantly, so it's worth keeping an open mind to alternative neighborhoods and not restricting your search to only one. 4. Pets If you have pets, include them in the process of choosing your new home. If you're looking for an apartment, is it big enough? Is it well protected so there's no risk of your pet getting lost? Are there convenient green areas and parks nearby for daily walks, if you have a dog, for example? Some landlords might be reluctant to allow pets, so make sure to always ask during the visits if pets are allowed, and if so, what rules need to be considered.