Where will you live when you land? It’s one of the most anxiety-inducing questions for any ESL teacher moving abroad. Housing arrangements vary dramatically by country and school, and getting it wrong — overpaying, signing a bad lease, or falling for a rental scam — can haunt your entire contract. This guide walks you through the housing options, how to research neighborhoods remotely, when to book a serviced apartment as a transition, and how to avoid the rental scams that target newly-arrived foreigners.
The Three Housing Scenarios
ESL housing generally falls into one of three categories. Understanding which applies to your situation determines everything else:
Scenario 1: School-Provided Housing
Common in South Korea, China, and parts of the Middle East. The school provides an apartment (usually a studio or one-bedroom) as part of your compensation package.
- Pros: No deposit, no lease to negotiate, no upfront cost, zero hassle
- Cons: You get what you’re given; quality varies; you may prefer a different location
- Common variation: Some schools offer a housing allowance instead, letting you choose your own place
If you have school housing: Confirm the details before you arrive — size, location, furnished/unfurnished, whether utilities are included, and whether you can swap to an allowance if you dislike it.
Scenario 2: Finding Your Own Housing
Common in Vietnam, Thailand, Latin America, Europe, and many other places. You’re responsible for finding and securing your own apartment.
- Pros: Choice over location, size, and budget; can find something that fits your lifestyle
- Cons: Significant upfront cost (deposit + first month), paperwork in a foreign language, risk of scams
Scenario 3: A Hybrid Approach (Recommended for First-Timers)
Book short-term accommodation for your first 2–4 weeks, then find a long-term place once you’re on the ground. This is the lowest-risk approach and lets you see neighborhoods before committing.
Why You Should Rarely Sign a Long-Term Lease Sight-Unseen
The biggest mistake new teachers make is signing a 12-month lease for an apartment they’ve never seen, based on photos from a landlord or agent they’ve never met. Risks include:
- The apartment looks nothing like the photos
- The neighborhood is loud, unsafe, or far from work
- The building has problems (mold, pests, unreliable water/electricity)
- The landlord is difficult or unresponsive
- You’re overpaying because you don’t know local rates
- It’s a scam — your deposit disappears
Unless your school has personally vetted the apartment (and even then, get photos from a trusted contact), plan to find long-term housing after you arrive.
The Serviced Apartment Strategy
For most first-time teachers, a serviced apartment for the first 2–4 weeks is the ideal transition option. Serviced apartments are fully furnished, include utilities and Wi-Fi, offer hotel-like flexibility (no long lease), and let you live in the city while you hunt for a permanent place.
Advantages of Serviced Apartments
- No deposit or long-term commitment
- Fully furnished with everything you need
- Utilities, Wi-Fi, and cleaning often included
- Flexible check-in/out
- Usually located in expat-friendly areas
- Good for setting up bank accounts and registration (real address)
Where to Find Serviced Apartments
- Agoda, Booking.com, Airbnb — for short stays with monthly discounts
- Local serviced apartment chains — Search “[city] serviced apartments” or ask in expat Facebook groups
- Expat Facebook groups — Teachers often recommend specific buildings
- Your school — Many schools have relationships with serviced apartment providers
Cost: Typically $400–$1,200/month depending on the city. More expensive than a long-term lease, but worth it for the flexibility.
How to Research Neighborhoods Remotely
Even if you don’t sign a lease before arriving, researching neighborhoods helps you book the right transitional housing and know where to look later.
1. Join Expat and Teacher Facebook Groups
Search for groups like “[City] Expats,” “[Country] ESL Teachers,” or “English Teachers in [City].” These are goldmines for current, on-the-ground information. Ask: “Which neighborhoods do teachers recommend? What should I avoid?”
2. Use Google Maps Extensively
- Measure commute time from potential neighborhoods to your school
- Check for nearby amenities: grocery stores, gyms, parks, public transit
- Use Street View to get a feel for the area
- Look for the nearest subway/metro stations
3. Research Cost of Living by Neighborhood
Use sites like Numbeo, Expatistan, or local rental sites to compare rents across neighborhoods. City centers and expat hubs cost more; residential areas 20–30 minutes out are usually cheaper.
4. Ask Your School or Recruiter
Most schools can tell you where previous teachers lived and which areas are convenient. Ask specifically:
- Where do most foreign teachers live?
- What’s a reasonable rent for a one-bedroom?
- Which areas should I avoid?
- What’s the commute like from common neighborhoods?
5. Check Local Rental Sites
Get familiar with local rental platforms before you arrive:
- Vietnam: Batdongsan, Facebook Marketplace, expat groups
- Thailand: BahtSold, DDProperty, Facebook groups
- South Korea: Zigbang, Dabang (Korean-language; ask a colleague for help)
- Japan: GaijinPot, Real Estate Japan
- China: Wellcee (English-friendly), Ziroom
- General: Airbnb (for short-term), Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist (in some regions)
Country-Specific Housing Systems
Housing works differently in each country. Understanding the local system prevents costly mistakes:
South Korea: The Jeonse System
Korea has a unique deposit-based system called jeonse, where you pay a large refundable deposit (often 30–70% of the property value) instead of monthly rent. Most ESL teachers can’t afford this, so they rent via wolse (monthly rent with a smaller deposit, typically 5–10 million won / $3,700–$7,500). School-provided housing avoids this entirely.
Japan: Key Money and Guarantors
Japanese rentals come with upfront costs unique to the country:
- Key money (reikin): A non-refundable “gift” to the landlord, usually 1–2 months’ rent
- Deposit (shikikin): 1–2 months, partially refundable
- Guarantor (hoshonin): Many landlords require a guarantor or guarantor company fee
- Agency fee: Typically 0.5–1 month plus tax
Total move-in cost: 4–6 months’ rent. Foreigner-friendly services like Sakura House or Leopalace21 simplify this for short-term teachers.
Vietnam: Reasonably Straightforward
Vietnam is one of the easier countries for foreign renters:
- Deposit: typically 1 month’s rent
- Lease: 6–12 months common, but 3-month and monthly options exist
- Utilities usually paid separately
- Large supply of furnished apartments aimed at expats
China: Restrictions on Where Foreigners Can Live
Foreigners in China can only register at certain buildings approved for foreign residents. Your school or a foreigner-friendly agent (Wellcee is popular) can guide you. Deposits are typically 1–2 months.
Middle East: High Upfront Costs
The UAE requires rent paid via multiple checks (1, 2, 4, or 6 checks per year). A 1-check annual payment gets a discount but requires the full year upfront. Deposits are typically 5% of annual rent. Housing allowances are common but may not cover the full cost.
Avoiding Rental Scams
Scammers specifically target newly-arrived foreigners who don’t know local norms. Common scams:
1. The “Pay a Deposit to Hold It” Scam
A listing looks too good to be true. The “landlord” (often overseas) asks for a deposit via wire transfer or crypto to “hold” the apartment. You arrive, the apartment doesn’t exist, and your money is gone.
Protection: Never pay a deposit before viewing the apartment in person and verifying the landlord’s identity and ownership.
2. The Fake Listing
Photos are stolen from a real listing elsewhere and reposted at a lower price. Same outcome: you pay, nothing exists.
Protection: Reverse-image-search the photos on Google. If they appear on other listings or travel sites, it’s a scam.
3. The Bait and Switch
You see photos of a nice apartment. When you arrive, the actual unit is different (smaller, dirtier, broken). The landlord pressures you to sign anyway.
Protection: Never sign or pay on the spot. Walk away. There are always other apartments.
4. The Agent Who Disappears After Payment
You pay an agent fee and deposit, then they stop responding.
Protection: Use licensed agents with verifiable offices. Get a receipt. Pay deposits via traceable methods, not cash.
General Anti-Scam Rules
- Never wire money or pay via crypto/Western Union for housing you haven’t seen
- Always view in person before paying anything
- Verify the landlord owns the property (ask for ID and property documents)
- Get everything in writing — lease, deposit terms, what’s included
- Pay deposits via bank transfer so there’s a record
- Be suspicious of deals well below market rate
- Ask other teachers before committing — they know the going rates
Documents You’ll Need to Rent
Have these ready for renting in most countries:
- Passport and visa
- Employment contract or letter from your school
- Proof of income (sometimes)
- Passport photos
- Local phone number (get a SIM immediately on arrival)
- Local bank account (may be required for some leases)
Questions to Ask Before Signing Any Lease
- What’s included in the rent? (Utilities, Wi-Fi, water, garbage, building maintenance)
- How much is the deposit, and under what conditions is it refundable?
- What’s the lease length? Can I break it early, and what’s the penalty?
- Is there a penalty for late rent?
- Who handles repairs, and how quickly?
- Is the building registered for foreigners (where required)?
- Are pets allowed (if relevant)?
- Is there a curfew or guest policy?
- What’s the neighborhood like at night?
- How far is it from work, grocery stores, and transit?
When to Use an Agent vs Going Solo
- Use an agent if you don’t speak the local language, are new to the city, or want vetted listings. Fees are typically 0.5–1 month’s rent.
- Go solo if you’ve lived in the city before, have local contacts, or want to save the fee. Facebook groups and direct-from-landlord platforms (Wellcee, Facebook Marketplace) work well.
A Practical Arrival Plan
- Before departure: Book 2–4 weeks in a serviced apartment or Airbnb near your school.
- Days 1–3: Rest, get a SIM card, set up a bank account, orient yourself.
- Days 4–10: Research neighborhoods, visit 5–10 apartments, learn local rent rates.
- Days 10–14: Narrow down to 2–3 options, negotiate, sign a lease.
- Weeks 3–4: Move in, set up utilities, register your new address with immigration if required.
This approach minimizes risk and gives you time to make a good decision. For more on the arrival period, read our guide on your first week abroad. And don’t forget the emotional side of the move — see our guide to culture shock.
