Looking for friends in the Balmain area..

[mrdeanos]

Hi Everyone,

We have now been living in Balmain for 8 months - enjoying a lot, and are looking for people to meet, expand networks...you know the score. I live here with my girlfriend - and we are both from the South East in the UK...like to go out, chat, have more than a couple or so bevvies. We are mid-thirties, no kids, both working (all 'at present!') and like to have a laugh! Give us a shout if you'd like to be in on a round!

[Cookiecrew]

Hi there,
We are not in Balmain YET but would love to be! Went at Christmas for holiday and tried to check out some areas we'd like to live if/when we get there. Can you tell us what the rental market is like there at the moment and generally what you think of Balmain?
Any insider info greatfully recieved.
Thanks

[mrdeanos]

Originally Posted by Cookiecrew

Hi there,
We are not in Balmain YET but would love to be! Went at Christmas for holiday and tried to check out some areas we'd like to live if/when we get there. Can you tell us what the rental market is like there at the moment and generally what you think of Balmain?
Any insider info greatfully recieved.
Thanks

Hi Guys,
Well luckily for myself, my girlfriend was already renting a house when i arrived in september last year. However, all my possesions were due to arrive from the U.K. and we were living in a one bedroom cottage. If i am honest we found the whole rental prosess very frustrating. When people veiw a rental property here in Oz, they do so in a crowd. Ten or so couples would wonder around the property and if you liked then you need to fill out an application as soon as possible and take it to the real estate agent. And then wait for a reply for a week or so. There were storys of landlords holding auctions for rental propertys!!... We took the decision to send along side our application a letter stating we would be prepaired to pay a full years rental upfront...We got the place. (WE DID NOT NEED TO PAY UPFRONT).... But dont let that put you off.

We are now in a fantastic three bedroom apartment with veiws of Anzac bridge and we love it. Apart from the frustrating rental prosess, Balmain is a great location with a very safe and friendly village atmosphere and great places to eat and drink. And if you have kids then all you need is a little dog to really fit in with the Balmainers. Good luck.

[Cookiecrew]

Thanks for this info. The renting process sounds like a nightmare (having not rented property for years) but at least we are now forewarned and will maybe try the "year up front offer of payment" if we need to. Not bringing any kids or dogs with us but hope that doesn't mean we won't fit in to Balmain's village life!