Choosing where to live shapes your entire experience of a country, so it deserves more research than most people give it. The factors that prove decisive over time: commute above nearly everything, since an hour each way corrodes any lifestyle; safety and the feel of the street at night; proximity to schools for families; access to transport and groceries; and the social texture of the area, meaning whether it is an expat enclave, a purely local district, or a mix.
That last choice is underrated. Expat heavy neighbourhoods offer soft landings and instant community but can insulate you from the country and cost more. Local districts integrate you faster and cost less but demand more language. Many people do one first and the other later.
Process wise, take temporary housing first, then visit shortlisted areas at different times of day before signing. Test the commute at rush hour, check what deposits and fees really total, and never rent long term sight unseen from abroad; photographs are marketing, not evidence.