Current Events > Sydney/Australian CEfolk, I seek your guidance

(+) Yeah! (+)

I am moving to Sydney in late February to start a job with the Sydney Symphony. I need to find a place to live!

They are paying for me to stay in a hotel for the first month while I search for a place to live.

I have a couple questions about the renting process over there.

1) how long is the turnaround process, generally on signing for an apartment? Is it something where I should begin reaching out before I move there, or would a month be enough time to find a place to live once I am there?

2) my salary is $115k (and hopefully there will be some additional teaching/gig money on top of that). What sort of neighborhoods should I be looking into that would not leave me barely getting by? I am very much hoping to live somewhere in the city where I can get to Circular Quay by train/bus, as I dont believe I will have a car for a little while.

3) is the apartment process similar to somewhere like NYC, where I should expect a broker fee, first months rent, and security deposit all on signing a lease? How do those usually work with rent being per week and not per month?

Very much appreciate if anyone here has any advice to give!

Up now that it is daytime in Australia lol

one last bump

if decide to head to australia. beware of those spiders with the giant web. worse than venomous snakes/dingos combined.

You'll be looking at about $600 a week for the city proper, and that's a 1 bed apartment.

Here is a link to the current NSW rental laws;

https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/starting-a-tenancy

@TreyFlowers lives there and is a good dude, maybe he can help. Mr_Mallard also I believe but I can't tag him.

008Zulu posted...

You'll be looking at about $600 a week for the city proper, and that's a 1 bed apartment.

Here is a link to the current NSW rental laws;

https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/starting-a-tenancy

$600 a week is insane.
I'm in Melbourne and I'm only paying about $330 for a one bedroom apartment

Ser_Jaker posted...

$600 a week is insane.
I'm in Melbourne and I'm only paying about $330 for a one bedroom apartment

I was checking out some rentals in Sydney, roughly 1400 for a 3 bed. 7200 for 4 bed 4 bath 2 car garage apartment. But yeah, that is crazy high. City living, not for me.

what instrument do you play

You'll have to pay a fortnight/month's rent in advance and a bond which is equivalent to a month's rent.

Turtlebread posted...

what instrument do you play

The best instrument to play innit

My advice, don't live in Sydney, it's a shithole. I live in Brisbane and I'm from Melbourne.

But yeah, Sydney is most expensive city in Australia, so be prepared for that. 115k (assuming AUD) is not a lot to get by solo in Sydney if you want to live close to the city. If you mean 115k USD, then you'll be comfy.

I'd start looking now, line up a few inspections if you can. It's a very competitive market in Australia ATM though and rents are skyrocketing with the inflation and interest rate increases in 2022 (cash rate has gone from like 0.25% to 2.85% this year)

Redfern/Mascot/Kensington/Surry Hills are all close to the city, maybe try those suburbs.

You generally pay bond (month rent) and first 4 weeks up front. Rent can be paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly depending on your agreement with the real estate/landlord.

Feel free to DM me for more advice

^yeah I think those suburbs should be alright since there are a lot of students living there, chances are itll be fine for someone who is earning 6 figures.

i feel like this is a rare instance where reddit might be better

Turtlebread posted...

what instrument do you play

bass

TreyFlowers posted...

My advice, don't live in Sydney, it's a shithole. I live in Brisbane and I'm from Melbourne.

But yeah, Sydney is most expensive city in Australia, so be prepared for that. 115k (assuming AUD) is not a lot to get by solo in Sydney if you want to live close to the city. If you mean 115k USD, then you'll be comfy.

I'd start looking now, line up a few inspections if you can. It's a very competitive market in Australia ATM though and rents are skyrocketing with the inflation and interest rate increases in 2022 (cash rate has gone from like 0.25% to 2.85% this year)

Redfern/Mascot/Kensington/Surry Hills are all close to the city, maybe try those suburbs.

You generally pay bond (month rent) and first 4 weeks up front. Rent can be paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly depending on your agreement with the real estate/landlord.

Feel free to DM me for more advice

thanks for the advice!

Yeah, Im not looking to stay in the CBD or anything, I was in Potts Point for the few weeks I was there and mostly I am just hoping to be close enough to the music scene to be able to go to jazz sessions and whatnot when i am not working. Most of those you listed seem to be in the 30-ish minute range by train which is a-okay for me.

It is in fact 115k AUD; Ive lived on like, 20k for the past few years living in nyc, so even if Im not living lush Im hopeful it will still be at least a little more comfortable lol

If you consider sharing a place then it opens up bigger/nicer/closer to CBD as well. Try flatmates.com.au if you are interested in that.