If you're considering a move to Europe, here's my best advice as a U.S. expat who has lived in Italy and France, among other places.

Going on vacation to a new country is not the same as finding a new home there.

Alex Ingrim, originally from Washington, left the U.S. to study in France and met his now-wife, Louisa.

Over the past 17 years, Ingrim, 36, has resided in France, Canada, the UK, Malta, and now Italy.

Based in Florence, with approximately 70 clients, he is a financial advisor at Chase Buchanan USA, specializing in advising Americans on taxes and financial planning for moving to Europe.

His advice for a scouting trip to find a new home abroad is:

1. Visit during the off season

To ensure a pleasant experience during your visit to your dream destination during peak travel season, book a follow-up during the winter months or off season.

Rewritten sentence: Living in that place full-time would give you a better sense of what it's like to be there.

"Winter travel to the Costa del Sol in Spain or holiday destinations in Cyprus may provide a more realistic view of daily life compared to the summer high season, according to Ingrim, who spoke to CNBC Make It."

2. Stay for at least 6 weeks

To truly uproot your life for a new one abroad, it's essential to spend at least six weeks there.

Ingrim advises that you start shopping and doing chores as if you lived there.

"He argues that if you only go grocery shopping for two weeks, you won't be fully committed to it. Instead, you can simply cover up some of the gaps in your daily routine with some temporary fixes."

If you stay away for more than a month, you may encounter new challenges. For instance, you might not be able to visit a laundromat and would need to find a place with a washer.

In Europe, many homes lack dryers, so hang-drying clothes will be more common.

Ingrim says, "After six weeks, the little things you say like 'Oh, haha, it was really fun when we were on vacation' would just annoy you to death."

3. Run the boring errands

During your extended stay abroad, break out of vacation mode by running your usual errands at the grocery store, bank, electronics or repair shop.

"Understand your realistic budget at home before splurging on cafes and restaurants while traveling," Ingrim advises.

Rewritten sentence: As your consumption habits change, your lifestyle may also need to adapt.

"People frequently complain about having to go grocery shopping frequently due to their apartment's lack of an elevator on the third floor, making it challenging to carry heavy food up the stairs."

According to Ingram, although it may seem insignificant, it's essential to take this into account when making accommodations.

4. Stay in a home you'd want to live in

Staying in an Airbnb or homestay that matches your budget will allow you to assess the quality of construction, your space needs, and how you will adapt to a European kitchen.

Prioritize the amenities you need and want when selecting a neighborhood.

What is your primary mode of transportation? Will you be driving or relying on public transit? If you don't drive frequently, is your neighborhood walkable?

Ingrim asks if there are restaurants and shops that you would like to visit.

Ensure that you research areas with a strong school district if you have children or plan to have them.

Ingrim remarks, "What will your lodging look like and how will it fit into your daily lifestyle within the neighborhood is being determined."

Don't forget to consider your hobbies, such as whether you want to live near a gym (which is not common in Europe, Ingrim notes) or a neighborhood with many bike paths.

""If it's not readily available, it will be annoying to go and find it later," he says."

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