Best place to look for Shared Accomodation?

JerseyVics · 16-02-2009, 06:37 PM

While I'm still trying to grow some cohones and finally stay at a hostel for a third of the price I'm paying for a Melbourne CBD hotel right now, I'm contemplating skipping the whole backpacker idea and going straight for an appartment type, shared accomodation. Considering they rent on a weekly basis, it might not be a bad deal and could actually work out cheaper than a hostel (and definitely cheaper than my current hotel)

Any suggestions?

Oh... my job search isn't going as well as I had expected so I might be going back to Sydney where I already had a successful interview... so this can serve as a universal thread for both Melbourne and Sydney shared accomodation search help.

thanks,
--Russ

**Peuty** · 16-02-2009, 06:44 PM

http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin...=bhp&t=shr&cu=

Choose your state, then browse away!

JerseyVics · 16-02-2009, 07:01 PM

thanks

Yellow_Festiva · 16-02-2009, 07:05 PM

Week by week stints are near impossible to secure. I have stayed in share accommodation and now have my own share house.

When I was a tenant, 2-3 months was a minimum stay, and when I look for people it's the same thing.

I have also stayed in about 50 hostels around the world and wouldn't travel any other way when alone. Most aren't that bad and the price cannot be beaten.

If it's a week you're after, go to a hostel, they will usually give you a free day if you say you will stay the week.

Cheers,

Jason.

JerseyVics · 17-02-2009, 09:48 PM

i'm not having any luck with hostels... walked into three today and they were all booked

MYVYSS · 17-02-2009, 10:13 PM

mate to be honest Sydney might be a better bet at the moment, with the fires in vic a fair few people are using hostel's to live in whilst they sort other accom and might be like this for a while, that happens when 7000 odd people are made homeless in a short period of time.

rodderz · 17-02-2009, 11:32 PM

Cheap rent-
http://www.news.com.au/business/mone...013951,00.html

JerseyVics · 23-02-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYVYSS

mate to be honest Sydney might be a better bet at the moment, with the fires in vic a fair few people are using hostel's to live in whilst they sort other accom and might be like this for a while, that happens when 7000 odd people are made homeless in a short period of time.

yup... I'm moving back to Sydney March 3rd

is it true that even when you do find a place they have to select you as a tenant? check references, etc.? how long does this process usually take? I'd like to get a room pretty much a few days to a week after arrival.

Anybody looking for a roomate?

Yellow_Festiva · 23-02-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseyVics

yup... I'm moving back to Sydney March 3rd

is it true that even when you do find a place they have to select you as a tenant? check references, etc.? how long does this process usually take? I'd like to get a room pretty much a few days to a week after arrival.

Anybody looking for a roomate?

Share accomodation is a little bit more casual compared to getting a lease at a real estate agent.

If you reply to an add, here is my advice:

Dress smartly, (wear shoes!!!!). Don't ask stupid questions about who's 'job' it is to empty the bin etc.

Act as LOW MAINTENANCE as possible. Say you know how to clean up after yourself, say you have lived in this situation before, say you sleep through anything, say you already have a job lined up and your income is steady. Remember, you only ever smoke outside (unless the owner is a smoker) and you keep to yourself.

As a landlord, this is what I'm looking for, so make yourself look attractive to other landlords. Think what you would be seeking in a tenant should the roles be reversed.

The time it takes for 'approval' depends on each person. If you are looking in a popular area, or an area close to the city, you will be up against a dozen other applicants. From what I have experienced, if you are a skinny blonde between 20 and 30 you generally have no problems lol.

When you see a place, and are interested, don't be all coy about it. Leave by saying "From what I have seen I'm interested, but am also going to look at a few other places this arvo, so if you would like me as a house mate let me know soonish" (or words to that effect).

Where in Sydney do you want to be?? Although I have no room at my place, I still have a few contacts I can call upon to see what they have available.

Good luck,

Jason

JerseyVics · 23-02-2009, 09:28 PM

North Sydney/Chatswood up that way...

BlackLS · 23-02-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseyVics

North Sydney/Chatswood up that way...

Rental places are pretty scarce around them areas especially with the Macquarie Uni/Business Park rail line just opening up this week. Perhaps the Inner West?

Yellow_Festiva · 23-02-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseyVics

North Sydney/Chatswood up that way...

Try these:

http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Unit-...AdIdZ108992999

http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Unit-...AdIdZ108992100

http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Unit-...AdIdZ108965803

The last one seems to be the best one???

Is there a specific reason why you want to be up that direction? It is an expensive area to live in, and it is very hard to find shared accommodation.

I lived in a large 16-17br share house in Vaucluse in the Eastern Suburbs of Syd. The building was around 80 years old, and the kitchen / bathrooms were very dated. But hey, it was $110 a week, had both harbor bridge and opera house views and there was a ton of street parking.

Not for everyone of course, but suited me just fine. Not the area you were asking about but the price and location cannot be beat.

I can make some phone calls tomorrow if you are interested.

JerseyVics · 24-02-2009, 10:07 AM

Well, I am looking there because thats where the job would be.

Although after spending an hour on the phone with the potential boss last night, he can only pay me $800 a week, so after taxes, living expenses and food, I might not have any money left over or would even have to dip into my savings.

Not sure if I should be taking this job? Or am I being a snob?

I should continue looking for jobs before deciding on the living location...

Thanks for your efforts Yellow Festiva, I appreciate it!

AusM · 24-02-2009, 07:40 PM

Another place to look would be at Uni notice boards. Most advertising is still paper and not online AFAIK. You should have a good chance of finding someone that would take you in short term, and maybe a fully furnished place as well. If you can't see somewhere advertised, it might be worthwhile leaving your own ad...

JerseyVics · 25-02-2009, 02:32 PM

cool, i'll check it out once I get up there

JerseyVics · 04-03-2009, 10:11 AM

some luck... I had a good place picked out, ready to view it once in Sydney and I get an e-mail saying its been rented out on the day of my flight...

what do you guys think about using a real estate agent to find a room? I've emailed a few to see if they have properties that may not be listed online, but it doesn't seem like they're too quick to respond.

JerseyVics · 14-03-2009, 09:38 AM

just in case someone finds this thread useful in the future... real estate agents: not a good idea! Maurice helped me visit a few of them and their rent was thru the roof... the cheapest option was $50 more a week than I'm paying now!

anyway... I got a job, got a place to live now I gotta find a girlfriend... and I'll be all set!

LOL