Belinda Au

You could try areas around universities. Lots of share opportunities there. UNSW (Kensington, Randwick), UTS (Surry Hills, CBD), USyd (Surry Hills, Newtown, Darlington) All have good public transport to and from the CBD.

I have lived in Sydney all my life and I rent. I can only give you my own experience. Minimum rentals are 12 months. Typically when the 12 month period ends, by agreement with the landlord you can continue on a month-to-month ongoing basis (I have been doing this for 3 years where I am now and have had only 2 rental increases which have been pretty reasonable in my opinion). Open viewings can be arranged for any time. Traditionally they are on a Saturday but for shares it will be when it's convenient for those living in the property (weekends or after work). I have heard of rent bidding. Have never experienced it myself and would avoid like the plague any estate agent/property that's asking for it. Quinkla is correct in that you should be here when looking for property whether it's alone or share - for practical reasons on both sides I should imagine. :smile:

It's never too early. Start now. :smile:

Nice perspective, Lady R. Sometimes you need to do things and go places to find out it's actually not for you. Sorry it didn't work out for you but it looks like you're in a better place for the experience regardless. :smile:

Good for you! There's no substitute for giving it a shot. Hope everything works out well for you. :smile:

:ssign18: Danka! Good luck with everything - hope you all get here!

Hey DD. Welcome. I understand employment's a bit tough in Tassie of late. Melbourne sounds like a good plan. As does hanging around this place. Loads of great people - that homesickness will be gone in no time for you I hope! :smile:

:laugh: Don't bother with the block, FD - you will be found!

I don't really understand all of these kinds of "blanket statement" posts. Nowhere is perfect. Nowhere is everyone exactly the same - good or bad. You enjoy the good stuff about a place or people and you navigate the rest as you can. I'm Australian. I don't think I'm particularly rude and arrogant but yeah, I have my days where I can let rip. :laugh: I love living here and I love the UK as well which why I'll probably be ping-ponging it for the time being. Do I love everything about both places and the people in both places? No. Is there a lot I love about both? Yes. See again my living plan: You enjoy the good stuff about a place or people and you navigate the rest as you can. Peace out. :wink:

Hi Maisie Welcome to a great board. Hope your app works out for you and you get to enjoy some time here with your family. :smile:

Hi Kymmbo - well I'm slack as! I think I've been around for 2 months or so and did I ever come in here and say Hi? 'course not :laugh: Loads of great people here, eh? Nice to meet you - better get going and say hello to others as well!

oh god, that is just terrible! :sad:

crack heads and drunks. repeat offenders we call them. very entertaining, God love 'em. :laugh: strawberry, isn't it? I think I'll sit outside in the apartment common space tonight and have my Bastard. Moonlight. How can I not? :smile:

not superstitious but full moons freak me out. I've worked in A/E on a full moon like @Lindor and it is madness. :laugh:

:laugh:

well that's seriously **** news to wake up to. :sad:

:laugh: there's almost no choice but to have breakfast that way.

and for £170 a week!!! :wideeyed: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jun/03/shoebox-studio-flat-london-renters-hours

It would be lovely to meet some of you. Unfortunately I will only be in London for the first week of July. May not be there again until Sept/Oct...... maybe one day!

Hi Blobby - even though I'm Australian and live here currently, I can really relate to what you say. Due to a chronic illness that has prevented travel for the last 8 years (thankfully resolved) I often feel the way you do which is then followed by a move. I have lived here and in the UK on and off for 20 years. My lifestyle here is better but I feel more "connected" in the UK. I wish I could explain why that is but I can't. I'm never really happy in Oz. Even though I feel more "at home" in the UK, I then get strangely homesick and I'm back in Oz again!!! The fact I'm not married or have children or pets makes the ping-ponging even easier to do. I'm sure none of that is any real help to you but as someone else has already mentioned, perhaps it will make you feel a little less like there might be something wrong with how you're feeling if you know you aren't the only one. In fact, Northshorepom has some excellent ideas worth exploring - I think I might explore them myself. :hug:

Congratulations!! :smile:

Gosh Judy. That sounds awful. I'm really sorry to hear of those difficulties and I'm sure some on here who are planning to return will be grateful for the heads-up. :hug:

It's been a while since I travelled but every experience I've had with them has been fantastic. Using them again in July. Recommend.

Agreed Captain. Short turnarounds are no fun. But I just could not miss this. :biggrin:

Tilly, I have moved back to the UK a number of times over the years sometimes I stayed for 6 months, sometimes a couple of years and often with not a lot of cash. Enough to find a roof over my head for a couple of months and I generally found work (temp) quickly. Having said that, that was more than 10 years ago and I think a lot has changed. I plan on going back again in 12-18 months' time but this time I'll be going with a sizeable chunk of savings as I just have a feeling things won't be as easy as they had been for me previously. I also don't have family over there now so I think a bit of extra planning is in order. :biggrin: