Anne received the job offer of her dreams: She would manage her company's expansion into China. She had lived there before, but as a student -- and housing was provided for her. Now, she needed to relocate to Beijing on her own. Her passport and visa situation had been taken care of by her employer, but because the organization was new to China, the HR department was unsure of how to help her secure housing. Where should she start?

One of the first things you will be concerned about after securing an overseas job is where and how you will live. A successful search for an apartment requires forethought and a little bit of preparation, particularly if your employer doesn't have expertise in this area.

Home-finding Trips

Many companies arrange a "look-see" trip, which generally lasts about a week and involves getting acquainted with the city, its neighborhoods, schools and services you might need when you settle in. This is usually followed by a home finding trip, where you will spend a concentrated period of time meeting with rental agents, looking at apartments and/or houses. The nice thing about doing a home finding excursion after an initial look-see is that you are somewhat more familiar with the city and have an idea about the neighborhoods you might want to live in. In Anne's case, it was important to live in an area where her children could walk to school, and where she and her spouse would feel comfortable.

Many employers hire consulting firms that specialize in global relocation to arrange and execute such trips. This is a good idea because you are dealing with individuals with a lot of experience in the area of relocation and housing, who can advise you (often with the help of local partners on the ground) about neighborhoods, leases, and services like utilities.

Managing Expectations

Many Americans own homes that are large by the standards of other countries. In certain European or Asian cities, where space is at a premium because of historically narrow streets or very large populations, many people live in apartments. For this reason, some Americans are unhappy about initial accommodations they are shown. Be aware of how the locals live and try to gage your expectations accordingly. One professional tells her clients that, "The best advice is to keep an open mind. Things will be different, but that's the exciting part!"

Friends and Neighbors

It is important to think about where you want to live. What are your priorities? Do you want to live in an expatriate community, or mix with local populations to get a feel for the culture? Do you need a neighborhood within walking distance of your office or the local school? Just as you would in a domestic housing search, consider what makes you happy; these lifestyle considerations become even more important when compounded with the challenge of living in a new culture.

Anne felt much better after her company agreed to let her make an initial trip to Beijing to scout out different neighborhoods. The city had changed quite a bit since her last stay there, and she was able to identify two neighborhoods that she would feel comfortable about living in. She was also able to visit a few schools that might be appropriate for her children. Her husband felt better about the relocation once he was able to see what they were agreeing to in terms of lifestyle. They planned their home finding trip with excitement, working closely with a contracted relocation company.

Part Two: The details: how would Anne pay for housing in this expensive city, and could she read the lease?