Best Short Term Housing Solutions for Expats or Travelers
Whether you are relocating for work, studying abroad, working remotely, or simply exploring life in a new city, finding the right short-term housing solution is often the first major hurdle. For foreigners, temporary housing in an unfamiliar city is rarely as straightforward as it looks — inflexible leases, language barriers, heavy documentation requirements, and a lack of transparency all add up to a stressful experience. Fortunately, the rise of short-term apartment rentals, serviced residences, and co-living spaces has made it far easier to find a flexible, move-in-ready base abroad. This guide walks you through the most common challenges, and explains how to find a move-in-ready base in a new city.
Common Challenges Foreigners Face When Renting Abroad
For anyone arriving in a new city for the first time, the rental process tends to be more complicated than expected:
- Inflexible lease terms — most traditional rentals require a minimum twelve-month tenancy, which simply does not suit expats or travellers planning a stay of weeks or months
- Heavy documentation — landlords often request local proof of income, employment letters, bank statements, and sometimes a local guarantor — documents that newly arrived foreigners rarely have to hand
- Language barriers and contract risk — misunderstanding lease terms, hidden charges, or maintenance responsibilities can lead to disputes and unexpected costs, particularly in Japan and South Korea
- Opaque listings — photos that do not match reality, missing furniture, or undisclosed management fees are common frustrations
- Starting from scratch — traditional rentals typically require tenants to source furniture, set up utility accounts, and arrange Wi-Fi independently, adding significant time and effort to what is already a busy transition
An Overview of the Short-Term Rental Market
Asia's short-term rental market has seen sustained and robust growth in recent years, driven by the recovery of international travel, the widespread adoption of mobile booking platforms, and an expanding middle class. Because the barriers to traditional renting remain so high, international students, overseas professionals, long-stay travellers, and digital nomads are increasingly seeking short-term housing solutions that are more flexible, more straightforward, and more transparent than the conventional rental market can offer.
In response, developers across the region have been rolling out monthly-let residential properties — typically with lease terms of one to twelve months — successfully bridging the gap between Airbnb-style short stays and traditional long-term rentals. The result is a growing ecosystem of temporary housing solutions built specifically around the needs of people in transition.
Where to Find Short-Term Apartment Rentals?
Foreigners searching for short-term apartment rentals typically turn to three main channels and each with its own trade-offs:
- Property listing platforms offer broad market coverage, but the majority of listings target long-term tenancies. Genuinely flexible short-term rentals are relatively scarce, and filtering for short stays can be time-consuming.
- Airbnb and similar booking platforms provide night-by-night availability and instant booking. It is useful for very short stays, but costs escalate quickly over weeks or months, quality is inconsistent, and some cities have introduced legal restrictions on short-term letting that tenants should be mindful of.
- Estate agents can assist with viewings, documentation, and contract signing, but typically charge a commission and move at a pace that does not suit foreigners needing to move in quickly.
How to Live Somewhere Temporarily — The Smartest Way
Faced with the complexity and inflexibility of traditional renting, a growing number of foreigners are turning to purpose-built international accommodation brands such as Weave Living. With transparent all-inclusive pricing, standardised services, and highly flexible lease terms, Weave Living offers a fundamentally different approach to temporary housing for international residents. Here are the most frequently asked questions:
1. What Is the Minimum Rental Period?
Weave Living's short-term apartment rentals are highly flexible, with stays ranging from a few days to a month or more depending on the property type. This is ideal for short study programmes, temporary work assignments, or anyone wanting to try a city before committing to a longer stay — with no obligation to sign a year-long lease.
2. What Is Included in the Rent? Are There Any Hidden Charges?
Weave Living operates on a fully all-inclusive model. Monthly rent covers utilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, management fees, and day-to-day maintenance, along with a fully furnished unit — refrigerator, washing machine, television, desk, and bed all included. Pricing is entirely transparent; there are no hidden charges, separate bills to manage, or accounts to set up, making it one of the most hassle-free short-term housing solutions available.
3. What If There Is a Language Barrier? How Do I View a Property From Abroad?
Weave Living's teams are bilingual or multilingual and experienced in supporting foreign residents throughout the rental process. Comprehensive online viewing options — including 360-degree virtual tours, floor plans, and high-resolution photographs — allow prospective tenants to assess a property in full before arriving in the country. Bookings are handled online, and once moved in, maintenance requests, enquiries, and day-to-day arrangements can all be managed via a dedicated mobile app.
4. What Are Common Types of Temporary Housing and Where Are They?
Weave Living's temporary housing solutions span major cities across Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo. The main types of temporary housing are serviced apartments and coworking-oriented spaces, offered across five residential series:
- Weave Residences — Spacious luxury apartments for families or professionals
- Weave Suites — Serviced apartments with hotel-standard amenities for business travellers and short-stay expats
- Weave Place — Furnished and unfurnished units for families and medium-to-long-term residents
- Weave Studios — Co-living spaces built around shared amenities and community life, popular with students and digital nomads
- Weave Campus — Purpose-built student accommodation close to major universities
5. What Happens If Something Needs Repairing?
Weave Living's dedicated property management team handles all maintenance and residential issues promptly. Tenants simply submit a request via the mobile app or contact the service line — no need to chase a landlord or find a tradesperson independently. This removes one of the most common sources of stress in temporary housing arrangements.
6. How Safe and Legally Secure Are Weave Living Properties?
All Weave Living properties are equipped with round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, professional security teams, comprehensive access control systems, and regular safety inspections, ensuring residents can live with confidence in a lawful, secure, and well-protected environment.
Whether you are navigating a work relocation, a medical stay, a study programme, or simply exploring a new city for a few months, Weave Living's short-term apartment rentals across Asia offer the flexibility and peace of mind to settle in quickly and live well.