If you plan to live in Europe on a temporary basis, you will probably want to rent an apartment. There are many different apartment rental arrangements available, ranging from yearly and monthly rental agreements, to shorter arrangements perfect for travelers. When renting an apartment in Europe, you will have the opportunity to live like the locals do, as many European apartments are actually located in historical buildings or quaint structures similar to the homes that local residents live in. It can be quite a unique experience, and certainly one that you will never forget.

Cost Savings from Apartment Living
Although some people who live in Europe on a temporary basis prefer to stay in hotels, apartment living can offer many cost savings. First, you will have the comforts of home available to you, including a kitchen. This alone can save you plenty of money as opposed to eating out all the time. You will also be able to experience local markets and all the fresh foods that are available to enjoy. This is also a much healthier way to live, as home-cooked meals are almost always preferable to restaurant meals, at least from a health standpoint. For those who plan to stay in Europe for a longer period of time, renting an apartment is still usually a better idea than buying a home, as it allows you to be more flexible in your living arrangements.

Shopping for an Apartment in Europe
If you are looking for rental apartments, or a "flat to let," you can either check out rental consortium, travel and rental sections in U.S. newspapers and magazines before traveling to Europe, or simply do some local shopping around once you get to Europe. Local tourist bureaus can often be quite helpful when shopping for apartments in Europe, as they can put you in contact with local rental agencies. These organizations also commonly have lists of apartments which are for rent, which can be quite helpful. Many people choose to stay in a hotel when they first get to Europe to allow adequate time to shop around and find the perfect apartment to rent.

It's important to ask plenty of questions before committing to a rental agreement, and you should be certain that you understand all the terms and agreements before signing a rental lease. If you are working with rental agency, they will probably have plenty of pictures to show you, and you will be able to learn many details about the available rental properties before you ever go see them. This can save a lot of time and effort as opposed to shopping locally for an apartment on your own. Rental agencies often specialize by area or city, so you might have to check with several different agencies if you haven't made a choice as to your preferred region. There are also agencies, associations and publications that specialize in working directly with rental home owners. These rental home associations often advertise heavily with vacationers, but their offerings are also good for those who plan to live in Europe for an extended period of time.