Finding and Renting Fully Furnished Apartments (Around the World)

I’m often asked how I travel slowly and find affordable places to stay. The answer is that I find and rent fully furnished apartments around the world. I’ll share exactly how I do this below.

But I should first clarify that I realize slow travelers are not the only people who need to rent furnished apartments as their short-term or long-term lodging.

Those who are moving, business travelers, those with homes under construction, families of those undergoing medical care, college students, and more, need furnished apartments, too.

And it can feel daunting to search for furnished apartments as our short-term or long-term housing when so much around us is already changing.

I also find this process challenging because my level of cleanliness is not someone else’s level of cleanliness. It’s my number one challenge with furnished apartments.

I always clean a furnished apartment before I can relax in it. I notice the dirt and debris buildup in corners, the fingerprints, the sticky knobs and handles, the stains, etc. I like things clean.

So there is no perfection. Things can go wrong. Hotels have these challenges, too.

It helps me most if I streamline how I find furnished apartments, so I can discover reasonably priced short- or long-term lodging that’s as comfortable and predictable as possible.

But, wait, are fully furnished apartments a sustainable choice?

There are serious concerns about how to best welcome travelers as we all transition to more flexible—and sustainable—lifestyles.

These concerns include the impact of Airbnb, the loss of local rentals, increased traffic brought to neighborhood communities, and the climate challenge of cleaning up after tourism.

We don’t want our travel and living choices to force others out of the local housing market. We don’t want to contribute to traffic, noise, or climate issues.

We want to support locals and local communities wherever we go.

So I’m trying my best to make sustainable choices when renting fully furnished apartments around the world by doing the following…

• rent furnished apartments built into the host’s property (attic, basement, garage, yard)

• rent the host’s primary home while they are on holiday

• rent the host’s holiday home while they stay at their primary residence

• walk, bike, and use mass transportation to avoid bringing an auto into the community

• hire local drivers and tip them well to ensure they receive a living wage

• let the host know that they don’t need to supply personal or household cleaning supplies

• if they’ve automatically stocked supplies, we tuck them away and buy our own

• use our own eco towel, washcloth, and toiletries

• wash our laundry and bedding, and hang dry whenever possible

• shop at the local health food stores and farmer’s markets to support an eco-community

• recycle during our stay (if bins are not provided, use paper bags for this)

• practice our quiet voices in indoor entries, hallways, eateries, shopping areas, etc.

The Benefits of Fully Furnished Apartments

Finding and renting fully furnished apartments wherever I roam helps me travel slower, more affordably, more flexibly, with more comfort and ease. Furnished apartments allow me to…

• travel slowly

• settle into communities

• live like a local (for a month or more)

• enjoy a private nest (while still adventuring)

• get to know those in the community

• become regulars at local farmer’s markets and restaurants

• prepare healthy food each day

• wash and (hang) dry laundry

• relax in comfort and ease

• often spend about 50% less on lodging (than nightly rates, long-term hotels, or private hostel rooms)

• spend less than (or equal to) what I’d spend on mortgage/rent in my home country

• the freedom to roam and learn about the world

The Ideal Fully Furnished Apartment

The key for me is knowing what I love when it comes to housing, allowing myself to seek it, and then verifying the housing I’ve found is what it appears to be.

This takes conscious effort, though, because it’s easy for me to tell myself that I should just settle for less than what I want, and I can also easily make assumptions that are far from accurate.

For instance, I love a simple apartment with a soothing ambiance. This boosts my mood. Here are the features that create this for me…

• minimalist (just the basics, streamlined, efficient layout, small feels spacious)

• light interior (white is amazing, acts as natural lighting, reduces power needs)

• clean (newer interiors are often the cleanest/easiest to keep clean)

• cozy (a nest, studio, efficiency, mother-in-law, cabin, easy to heat)

• pleasant view (of anything, it could be a pleasant view of a wall)

• high-speed internet + modem in the unit (private, to plug in ethernet, to reboot)

• front-loading washer in the unit (cleans anything, gentle, less detergent/water)

• dryer in the unit (in colder regions)

• dishwasher, if possible (for initial and occasional thorough cleaning)

• spacious kitchen sink with a single faucet handle (easier to use/keep clean)

• showerhead secured above head (hands-free rinsing)

• firm bed (reviews are telling, always ask)

• hard/carpet-free flooring (minimizes bug issues, easy to clean, no vacuum needed)

• pest-free (no ants, etc., reviews are telling, always ask)

• charming area (old towns, ancient architecture, beautiful surroundings)

• a neighborhood that looks safe (I look at Google Maps Street View)

• walkable to all I need (I verify via Google Maps)

• a building that looks safe (I view entrance, hallway, and stairwell photos)

• owners/hosts that seem safe (kind, detailed, allow me to handle cleaning)

• within my budget (reasonable price for the area, reasonable price for the owner)

• ability to pay for utilities (if I’m in the home more than the average tourist)

I keep this list close while I browse all the online listings, viewing photos and descriptions to find what I love—or something close enough to make me grateful.

What if Photos are missing from the Online listing?

It’s so important to know exactly what one will be living in while traveling slowly. So I gently ask for any missing photos. Here are the photos that seem to be missing most often…

• building entrance

• stairway/hallway to the apartment door

• laundry facilities

• views out the window

If I ever find myself feeling guilty about gently asking for missing photos—if I’m tempted to just hope for the best—I remind myself what happened when I didn’t ask for photos in the past…

• scary buildings

• dangerous buildings

• leaking doors

• soggy floors

• ants everywhere

• large chunks of peeling paint

• rusted (shut) faucets

• a bathtub with no working showerhead/curtain/drain

• large items blocking the front door

• wooden floor block at the kitchen entryway

• fuses that blew if more than one item was plugged in at a time

• melted, smoking stove

• broken handle on the washer (requiring a screwdriver to open/close)

• laundry room filled with so many boxes that it was difficult to enter/exit

Travel adds incredible adventure to life. So if I have the online ability to to bypass unnecessary chaos, I want to do that. When lodging is safe and functional, we can relax and thrive.

Extra Details to Verify Before Booking Furnished Apartments

In addition to the above, I pay attention to a few extra details, which make a big difference when booking apartments online…

• if the dates I’m hoping to rent are unavailable, I message the host to inquire if the dates might actually be available

  • the host may not have opened up those dates yet (so they just appear booked)

  • the host might be holding those dates for another who has not yet confirmed (the host then speeds up that process and gets back to me if it’s available)

  • the host may want to alter their schedule if they know I want to book long-term

• if a monthly rate is not listed, I message the host to ask if they ever offer monthly rates

  • I let them know that I completely understand if not

  • they have nearly always offered a monthly (discounted) rate

  • (hosts also get a break from frequent cleaning, as I handle that)

• on the listing site, I check for “house rules”

  • some hosts place “house rules” in a hidden section of the website (I expand each section to view)

  • some list illegal house rules (I don’t book those apartments)

• I verify whether insurance is included and if it automatically protects both parties

  • if I don’t understand everything, I contact the booking platform for clarity

• I look at the photos/profiles to see if they reveal lodging names or addresses

  • if so, I look up those names/addresses on the internet

  • I might find the listing on another website (with more photos or better pricing)

  • if the listing reveals its own website, I reach out directly

Websites That Rent Fully Furnished Apartments

There are now so many website platforms that list fully furnished apartments, travel lodging, vacation rentals, short-stay housing, or long-stay housing. So I’m going to share websites below, in alphabetical order, that I think tend to have…

• websites that tend to appear professional

• some reasonable pricing options (monthly rates, discounts)

• some consistency

• messages that tend to be returned

• hosts that tend to be involved in the process

• websites that tend to discuss insurance if something goes awry

airbnb

Airbnb is listed first because this list is alphabetical, but Airbnb has changed over the years, so I’m careful when using it nowadays.

I’ve found inappropriate listings that should not be on Airbnb, and availability and quality have waxed and waned, but it’s a system I’m familiar with.

In the end, with more and more furnished apartment platforms joining the market, I compare many other options to Airbnb before making my decision.

High ratings and glowing reviews with an emphasis on the kindness of hosts and the spotlessness of the rental are what I rely on for a sense of reliability.

Should something go awry and Airbnb customer service not properly help, I will telephone Airbnb’s U.S. legal department until the matter is politely resolved, including…

• if the customer rep is hostile, dismissive, and not following protocols

• if the customer rep is advocating for a host that acted illegally

• if anything else doesn’t sit right

I’ve dealt with at least two fraudulent Airbnb scenarios that were challenging to resolve. It was a bit shocking. Airbnb’s legal department eventually fixed things, but it took a lot of patience.

Had that not worked, my credit card company would have resolved it for me.

blueground

When Blueground first arrived, they appeared to work with property owners to turn empty spaces (that were not renting well) into furnished rentals that locals and travelers would want to rent.

Stays for a month, a year, or longer.

And they’ve done so by implementing a beautiful minimalist style (owners’ personal items are not stored in the apartment—not on shelves, in closets, under sinks—no clutter).

Even though Blueground might appear expensive and completely out of budget in some cities (their prices seem to fluctuate with demand), I find Blueground seems to offer…

• affordable apartments in Athens, Greece

• other affordable monthly rates—especially last minute (I check their website regularly)

• some affordable 6-12 month rates

• in-person or virtual/video viewings

• high-speed WiFi, desks, and chairs

fairbnb

Fairbnb is the answer to what many have been unhappy with at Airbnb. Placing people over profit, Fairbnb ensures hosts offer only one property to the tourist market “to promote a more sustainable industry and provide travellers a more genuine and authentic experience … a more equitable and sustainable tourism model.”

• one host (one house) rule

• the host earns the same

• the guest pays the same

• 50% of the platform fee funds local projects in the communities one visits

flatio

Based in Europe, Flatio has been recommended to me by slow travelers, remote workers, digital nomads, and retirees. Flatio points out the importance of offering furnished accommodations for travelers, students, employees, those between moves—and even those seeking luxury housing options…

• stays for weeks or months

• fully furnished

• everything ready for one’s arrival

• utilities and WiFi included

• no hidden fees

• no deposits for stays shorter than six months

Furnished Finder

Furnished Finder began as a website catering to traveling nurses seeking lodging for one to three months while on assignment. But some of the hosts/landlords welcome other lodgers, too.

I find it a website worth checking out. I explain my situation when inquiring, to be sure they know.

I’ve seen Furnished Finder listings on other lodging platforms, too, which is another indicator of the willingness to accept a variety of month or more lodgers.

I’m currently in a Furnished Finder apartment, above the hosts/landlord’s garage, and I’m very grateful for their kindness and the sense of family and community.

“Think of us as the specialized resource for 30-day and greater stays, but with a few key differences from traditional advertising sites.

“First, our traffic is not vacation goers but rather short term Traveling Professionals on work assignments who require at least one month of Furnished Housing.

“Second, we do not get involved with the transaction--the lease agreement and rental payments are between you and the Traveling Professional only.

“Furnished Finder does not charge any booking fees because we do not believe in the obsolete ‘Air-Fee-N-Fee’ business model.

“Keep your money in your pocket and manage your own bookings directly.”

nature.house

Nature House exists to help one find lodging in nature, with a stash of more than 18,000 nature houses worldwide and more than one million guest stays so far.

Closer in alignment with fair lodging initiatives, Nature House earns a 10% commission per booking and donates to local nature projects.

I’ve not yet booked a Nature House, as I often stay in towns and cities, but I’m looking forward to trying Nature House due to our readiness for more peace and calm.

Here is a description of what Nature House offers…

“A nature house is situated away from the masses and is not part of a large holiday park. The most important thing is that a nature house is situated in beautiful surroundings.

“In a nature house you can retreat from the busy, daily life and just relax in the middle of nature. A nature house is a place where you come together with friends to celebrate life and where you let the (grand)children get acquainted with the beautiful, European nature.

“It is the ideal starting point for a voyage of discovery through rolling hills, vast meadows or towering mountain areas. You can go fishing, mountain biking, hiking or just relax with a book on a rainy day.

“From hut to villa; nature houses come in all shapes and sizes. They endure storms and are sometimes located in inhospitable regions, but are always a pleasant place to spend your holiday.

“A nature house is not just a place to sleep during your trip, it is a way of celebrating your holiday.”

plum guide

Plum Guide is for those who have tired of unpredictable or less than stellar lodging. Plum Guide is expertly curated lodging. The options are stunning.

I have to emphasize that when I first browsed Plum Guide, I drooled, but I didn’t think there was a chance I’d find an affordable lodging option.

However, when I left the destination blank, chose the dates, then sorted by lowest price, that is when I could see the most affordable Plum Guide lodging options.

The results inspire me to consider travel to areas I might not otherwise have thought to choose.

Also, this is the site I would use if I were to book lodging for a special occasion, for a large group gathering, or for business.

“Expertly curated by us. Exceptional quality for you.

“The official selection of the world’s best stays.

“We don't list a lot of homes. Just the right ones.

“Just 3% of homes in each destination win the Plum Award, the new global quality standard for vacation homes.

“We've done the hard work for you. We review every single home available in each of our destinations and select the top 3% in each price bracket.

“Selected through the world's most rigorous vetting process.

“Our Home Critics review thousands of homes and put the best to the test, obsessing over every last detail.

“With our expert team just a phone call away.

“Remember when real people who knew what they were doing helped you plan your trips away? That was lovely. It still is. No hidden numbers or call centres, we're here to help.”

Vacasa

When Airbnb fees increased, I noticed Vacasa could offer the same rentals at a cheaper rate.

Yes, I’ve found the same rentals listed on both platforms, but I’ve found them cheaper on Vacasa. I’m guessing this might be because Vacasa fees are cheaper for the hosts.

Or maybe it’s because Vacasa is a smaller platform, with mostly North American availability.

For instance, last spring when we wanted to spend a month in Sun Valley, Idaho, the only affordable monthly rental we could find was on Vacasa. Nothing else came close.

Now I happily peruse Vacasa.

local rental (and real estate) websites

Searching the internet for local rental (and real estate) websites that are based in the community we want to stay is sometimes the wisest way to find furnished apartments.

Apartment buildings, guest houses, vacation lodging, student housing (which also rents to non-students), and real estate rental agencies often appear in those search results.

This is how I found an apartment in the South of France (at the last moment), lodging in the Swiss Alps (before the natural disaster), and furnished apartments while waiting out the pandemic.

To find local furnished apartment rentals, I search for the following online…

• [insert city] furnished apartments

• [insert city] short-term rentals

• [insert city] furnished flats

• [insert city] vacation rentals

• [insert city] serviced apartments (I decline the cleaning services during our stay)

• furnished apartments in [insert city]

• short-term rentals in [insert city]

• furnished flats in [insert city]

• vacation rentals in [insert city]

• serviced apartments in [insert city] (I decline the cleaning services during our stay)

Of course, some of these local rentals cater to people who spend hundreds or thousands of dollars per night on their lodging. But that is not how I stay. I’m frugal. Fortunately, those fancier listings do not dominate this market, so I bypass them and move on to the reasonable listings.

travel bloggers

After experiencing a slightly fraudulent housing snafu in Italy, we shortened our month in Italy to just a week. This was because we (all of a sudden) didn’t have housing to check into and we were not comfortable going through the search process again in Italy at that moment.

Had the online housing selection been a bit better (in winter), or had local on-site rental contracts not been required (or had they been written in English), we would have felt differently. But we were exhausted from our unexpected adventure.

We needed to decide where to go next.

So, we checked into a nice local hotel for a week (thanks to credit card points) and brainstormed our next steps. This is where my boyfriend mentioned that he had always wanted to go to Portugal (which was one of the warmest places in Europe that winter).

I happened to reach out to a travel blogger based in Portugal, and her adorable apartment was available for a month. We couldn’t believe it. We were so grateful.