Finding A Place To Live In Australia

If you’re making the journey over to Australia from another country, either permanently or on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), it can be really daunting trying to figure out where you might live when you get there. Especially if you don’t know the country well.

There are many considerations that you’ll have to take into account for your individual circumstances, some of which you may never have even thought about.

First Arriving

When you first land, you should have somewhere booked and ready for you to stay in. Stepping off the plane and finding an apartment that very same day is highly unlikely, so don’t rely on unrealistic expectations.

The more mature person emigrating might want to book a hotel, but if you’re a younger traveller on a temporary visa, a hostel will be fine! Do some research – many travel companies offer arrival packages with accommodation in addition to practical help.

They’ll help you get set up with a bank account, tax number, medical practitioner and they’ll even help you find a place going forward.

Do You Want Furnished or Unfurnished Accommodation?

Again, if you’re a young person, you’re probably looking to rent and so a fully furnished place is super ideal. However, if you have permanent residency or you’re moving over with the whole family, nobody can blame you for wanting to personalise the place.

A move is expensive, so you could consider looking online for second-hand goods whilst you’re finding your feet. Who knows – you may even find some vintage gems!

How Much Privacy Do You Need?

If you are a person who likes their own space and a place for everything, a flat share might not be a great idea for you. You don’t want to come across as the bossy one making everyone keep quiet or wash their dish as soon as they eat from it.

Perhaps a studio would be better for you? If you’re easy going but still respectful of others, you can find a flat share easily. Consider whether you might even share a room with someone. It sounds silly, but you can save money living in a shared bedroom; think of it like a hostel but better. If you’re only going to be somewhere for a short time, it could be ideal. Have a look at what’s out there before you judge!

Location, Location, Location!

When you first arrive, perhaps you don’t know the good places. Perhaps you don’t even know which city you might like to live in.

You should have a think about the obvious things such as where you’ll work and the proximity. Living in the CBD could be convenient. Additionally, you should think about your own tastes. Would an area for young families be good for you, or do you like to be in the heart of the action?

Australia isn’t all about Sydney and Melbourne, but those cities are great places to start. Some of Australia is very much rural and so if you like city living, avoid the outback. If you like beaches, there are so many choices – just be prepared to pay more if you want that dream ocean view.

Good luck with your Aussie adventure!