Foreign property buyers are, almost without exception, the subject of one unique set of circumstances – the visits by family and friends.
Article written by The Overseas Guides Company
As any expat will tell you, the first few months can be difficult to settle in. Language and cultural differences can make it hard to make new friends; indeed in some places, people can be quite “cliquey” and not fully accept outsiders – particularly foreigners – into their social mix.
Combined with this can be the initial feelings of homesickness, where you miss those near and dear to you back in the UK. And despite your eagerness to have visitors, they seem to stay away in order to let you settle in first and adapt to your new surrounds.
Once you have settled in, however, it can feel like the reverse is true, with long-lost friends and distant relatives lining up with your close loved ones to pay you a visit – or in other words, score themselves a free place to stay as part of their travels to your new part of the world. Then there is Christmastime, when relatives decide it would be a novel experience for you to host Christmas abroad. This can be a really magical experience, as you reconnect with family and close friends and take in the festive cheer of a different culture together.
It does, however, also present a unique set of challenges – regardless of whether it’s the sister you adore or your barely tolerable mother-in-law that has paid you a visit.
First and foremost, you are finding yourself living under the same roof as people you may never have lived with before, or not in a very long time. This easily creates tensions, often over the silliest of things.
Also, while your guests are holiday, you may not necessarily be – which can generate confusion as to what role you are really playing. Are you a babysitter, a travel guide or more of a B&B owner that doesn’t get paid?
Before you accept your first guests, particularly the ones staying for more than a weekend, put together a plan of what you will do and how you will cope. Some things you may like to consider include:
- Putting together some ideas of places your guests can visit on their own while you are busy, and include simple directions for them.
- Taking some time to show them how the washing machine/dishwasher/iron/heating/air conditioning work, and where the plates/glasses/wine/towels/washing powder are kept.
- Being upfront with any plans you may have where your guests will have to entertain themselves.
- Getting a spare set of keys cut so that your visitors can come and go without disturbing you.
- Booking some time off work if need be so that you can spend quality time with your loved ones.
- Maintain a place you can go for some time alone if you find yourself feeling claustrophobic – the bedroom, sunroom, garden, local park or the nearest pub.
Remember that this should be a wonderful time, so plan ahead of your visitor’s arrival what will be happening when so that you don’t find yourself caught in the awkward situation of trying to maintain your normal routine while your guests want to celebrate their holidays with you!
For more information about property for sale abroad, visit the listings on Rightmove Overseas.
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The views and comments herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Rightmove Overseas, Rightmove Group Ltd or Rightmove Plc