The phrase “location, location, location,” first popularized in a 1926 real estate ad in the Chicago Tribune, remains as relevant today as ever—particularly when it comes to the quality of life for expatriates on assignment.
Curated Housing Insights: Residential Area Grids
For hundreds of cities around the world, your AIRINC Client Engagement representative can provide a Residential Area Grid. This resource includes a curated selection of neighborhoods and towns, along with representative housing units and rental rates. While not exhaustive, these listings reflect popular and viable housing options that meet essential criteria for safety, security, convenience, amenities, and housing quality—ensuring a comfortable standard of living for your assignees.
Visualizing Housing in Larger Cities
In larger urban areas, these recommended housing zones can also be viewed geographically within the International Housing Guide tool on AIRLINC, often alongside information on nearby international schools. This helps assignees and mobility managers visualize and assess options with greater clarity and context.
Collaborating on Localized Solutions
When supporting a new office opening or worksite launch, it's essential to collaborate with local stakeholders—including:
- Managers
- Security advisors
- Destination service providers (DSPs)
Together, you can identify neighborhoods that are popular with local employees, align with relevant security protocols, offer reasonable commute times, and are close to preferred schools.
Adjusting for Urban and Security Challenges
In major metropolitan areas or cities with high traffic, you may need to tailor housing budgets to prioritize proximity over prestige. This adjustment can significantly reduce commute times and enhance the day-to-day experience for your assignees.
In high-security locations, consider updating your housing policy to ensure all expatriates reside in the same gated communities or apartment complexes. Keep in mind that the most suitable location might not be the most central—or the most expensive.
Ongoing Support from AIRINC
Your AIRINC Client Engagement representative is always available to help assess new or existing housing locations and ensure your housing allowances are aligned with your mobility strategy. Periodic reviews are especially useful in locations where assignees continue to face challenges during the house-hunting process. To read about other considerations when entering a new market, read Mike Wincott's blog "Home Truths: Avoiding the Hidden Costs That Can Trip Up Your Assignees".
