Home comforts make all the difference for expats

It's a long way from Sydney to Beijing, and we're not just talking flying time. When you're an expat posted far away from home, the living environment matters. It's exciting to immerse yourself in your adopted home's culture and lifestyle, but a few familiarities are also nice.

This means having a home that's as comfortable as you're used to, but it's the extras that make the transition easier. Like having a trusted 'someone' on hand who can help with language translations, or directions around your new city. Or not having to find your own support services, or manage your own cleaning and maintenance issues - because someone else takes care of that for you.

It's the reason why serviced apartments make an ideal living arrangement for newly-arrived foreigners, and why so many of them stay there through choice.

For Australian Michael Sams, Beijing in 2007 was his first overseas posting. He liked the thought of a serviced apartment that would require no upkeep, and allow peace of mind as he travelled extensively around China.

He settled on Beijing Kerry Centre at the heart of Beijing's diplomatic, commercial and financial centre. Location was key. Keen to avoid the traffic, he liked being able to walk to his office without leaving the building. Beijing Kerry Centre incorporates grade-A serviced apartments, 5-star hotel, office towers, health club and shopping mall, all integrated with China World Trade Centre - so it ticked all the boxes.

Sams' three-bedroom apartment 'feels like home'. It has a spacious lounge and dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and plenty of room for space to store golf clubs and suitcases.