A lot of people dream about buying property abroad, but I keep hearing the same advice from experienced expats: rent first, learn the city, then decide.

It makes sense. A neighborhood can feel very different after living there for a few months. Traffic, noise, weather, safety, walkability, building quality, and even grocery access can change how you feel about a place.

For those who bought property abroad (or decided not to) how long would you recommend renting before buying?