There are many factors that will decide where to live in New Zealand.   For most the work that you will be doing will determine where you will be living.  Wherever you live you will be close to the stunning scenery and have access to an outdoor lifestyle.  The cities around the country have rather different...

Buying property in New Zealand is generally quick, efficient and safe. It takes four to six weeks from offer to moving in, and is relatively inexpensive compared to most European countries. There are few restrictions on foreigners buying property there, although ownership certainly does not guarantee residency rights. It is worth mentioning though, that buying/building...

Portuguese estate agents must be licensed and qualified, so ask to see their INCI certificate and AMI licence. With typical agent fees of more than 5%, private sales are common – look out for boards saying vende-se or para venda. By Christopher Nye Among Portugal’s largest online property portals are casa.sapo.pt and imovirtual.com, or a...

Renting property in New Zealand is a very good option for those who are only staying for a limited period.  It is also a good option when you first arrive to allow you to get to know the local property market before considering buying a home. The Department of Building and Housing has standard agreements...

Step one is to get your professionals lined up and ready. That should certainly include a lawyer who is independent of the estate agent or developer whose property you are viewing, who is qualified and who is a specialist in property in Spain and land law, known as urbanismo. By Christopher Nye It is also...

Whether you are planning to buy a holiday or investment property or are moving to France to live and are buying your main residence you need to consider the best options for funding your purchase. Here we set out how the French property market works and the options available to borrowers. Sources of funding...

The property buying system in France is completely different to what you might experience elsewhere. It is better regulated than in many countries, making a purchase safer, but more expensive. For a start, agents (immobilier) are licensed. They will have a Carte Professionnelle, be professionally insured and work under the Loi Hoguet, their code of conduct. They may...

Whatever reason you have for taking the plunge and moving abroad, there’s a lot of planning that goes into it. One of the most important things you should arrange before you make the big move is where you are going to live. But, how does renting accommodation in Portugal compare to your home country? Written...

There are many advantages to renting rather than buying in Spain and it is worth considering renting initially even if you plan to buy. How do you find a rental property, what are your options and how does the rental process work? Here we set out what you need to know before renting in Spain...

Although the Spanish property market and mortgage process may be different from what you are used to at home, it is possible for foreigners and expats to buy and get a mortgage in Spain. However not all banks – and certainly not all mortgage brokers – follow the procedures of the recently regulated mortgage market...

Maybe it has always been your dream, the streets of Paris, the romantic vibes of the Côte d’Azur, its incredible wine and cheese delights, or anything edible really, maybe it’s just a case of a temporary work relocation to the land of love. Written exclusively for Expat Network by Nestpick In France, locals queue...

For many the idea of moving to France is to buy an old farmhouse deep in the country to renovate and settle into a rural lifestyle. For others it is the attractions of the cosmopolitan life in Paris. With prices in Paris it is generally more practical to rent rather than buy, but buying is...