So yesterday exBoyfriend and I, yes that is what I am now calling him, started our search for two 1-bedroom apartments in Surry Hills. Well that would have to be one of the most depressing experiences of the last 10 years. Besides the obvious emotional side of leaving our home and starting afresh, real estate prices in this city are RIDICULOUS!!! I had no idea. I literally feel violated.
I haven’t rented in Sydney since an enormous, but cheap, 3 bedroom terrace in Bondi Junction with Miss Cal 6 years ago. It was so big we practically had our own wing each. Before that I was living in Melbourne back when it was considered Third World. Then before that it was the Legendary ‘432’ Surry Hills terrace where I have no idea how much I paid in rent, only what I spent on vodka. So it was a huge culture shock yesterday to discover what Sydney-siders pay in rent. My wallet aches just thinking about it.
I’m quite attached to the idea that I am somewhat glamorous! Especially as I am fast approaching 40 and surely at this age you should be able to expect a certain level of comfort. I like shiney new things with bells and whistles. In an apartment I like to have a balcony, at least 1 four-walled bedroom, a dishwasher, and non-stained carpet. I don’t think I’m asking for that much? Well it appears that such an apartment requires a deposit bigger than a mortgage and an ongoing monthly rent equal to New Zealand’s GDP.
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| Ummm... NO! |
I spent most of the day trying to do the sums. And it did my head in. Thank god I had exBoyfriend with me or I’d be still wandering the streets aimlessly multiplying by 52 and dividing by 12. To further complicate matters, neither of us can bare to think about anything but joint custody of our treasured boys Jackson and Sam. It seems approx. 1% of rentals allow pets. Most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. And they haven’t even met Jackson and Sam, so judgemental. They are cleaner than I am and definitely make less mess. Some would say they even smell better!
So after all of the traipsing around Surry Hills/Darlinghurst/Woolloomooloo we found just one apartment that had potential. Dishwasher – yes. Balcony – yes. It has a lovely bathroom, lots of cupboard space and a carpark. Bedroom only has two of the four walls but we all need to make concessions. Most importantly they allow pets! Brilliant! Almost kissed the agent. Now I have to go through the tedious process off applying and references and payslips blah blah blah. Why don’t they just take my word for it! I am too fabulous for words, can pay all my bills and in the right light I’m semi-attractive. And it would really help us out.
Everyone please pray to the Rental Gods that this one comes through! And if you have any hot tips be sure to let me know. And if you are a real estate agent call me immediately! You are my new best friend.
Note: This is the first in a new series of posts called "Single gay man looking..." as after only a few days I am already overwhelmed with how many new things I will have to do on my own. Damn, this is a whole new frightening world.
9 comments:
I will be going through the same dreaded apartment hunt myself in a few weeks. The place I'm in now is horrible- i had to take it as I was desperate to move and didn't have time on my side to look for better places. I know how awful it is -some places ask for ridiculous amounts of rent.
Strange thing is- there is no standard. The place I am in now is a shitbox, no other way to describe it. Yet I've seen worse places ask for more rent. Then the two bedroom place around the corner a few months ago is heaps nicer, own laundry (I have share laundry it SUX!), built ins, security building and it was only $10 more a week... go figure.
I hope you get the place because it will be such a relief to sort that out, where you are going to live.
A tip, this is what I did with my rental search- already have a stack of payslips, references, copies of i.d. etc all photocopied ready to go on the day of inspection and hand them in right there and then. Oh and i did a letter of introduction about who I was, my lifestyle, how I intend to look after the place as if it was my own (basically, how fab you are!) to put with all that stuff. Handed it in with application form there on the day. Don't know if it all actually helped but I ended up getting a phone call from the real estate on the Mon morn by 10am after Sat house hunt.
Good luck!
x
www.realestate.com.au........
11/559 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
$260 per week
Anonymous, you are a champion, thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it.
St. Murphy
There is a share flat on offer, large bedroom with en suite, dishwasher, 2-story apartment with two balconies (one off the bedroom) underground parking, pets welcome. Vodka always in the cupboard. On the gayest street in the country. How do you feel about a commute? Is Toronto to far?
l8/2 Clapton Place, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
$475 per week
8/10 Royston Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
$290pw
4/259 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
$415pw
this one is gorgeous I think agents details are below
Apply Online
Innercity Property Agents Pty Ltd - East Sydney/Darlinghurst
2/301 Liverpool St
Darlinghurst 2010
View Agency Profile
Lee Papadopoulos 0405 002 006
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Agent's Phone Number
Steven this is a share apartment i dont know what that means for sydney, but you can have pets 6 Belvoir Street Surry Hills
$250 p.w.
2 bedroom apartment on 6 Belvoir Street Surry Hills
Occupying the elevated corner on the 4th floor, this home features a generous covered terrace, ideal for entertaining or just soaking up the sun and offers expansive views across Prince Alfred Park (currently being refurbished)
This stylish and comfortable apartment sets the scene for a great lifestyle. The cosmopolitan vibrancy of Surry Hills offers a tempting choice of eateries, entertainment and great shopping. Redeveloped in 2003, this appealing apartment is located close to Central Station and is an easy walk to the CBD.
The high ceilings, spacious rooms, large terrace and great location make this apartment the ideal home.
The apartment features:
• Generous open plan living flowing to the terrace
• 2 double bedrooms, both with large BIRs
• Main bedroom opens to the terrace
• Gourmet kitchen, granite benchtops, gas cooktop, SMEG oven, dishwasher
• Spacious bathroom with bath and separate shower, WC
• Internal laundry with dryer; 2nd WC
• Reverse-cycle air conditioning
• Secure building
• Secure undercover parking for 1 vehicle
• Access to large common entertaining deck on 5th floor
CONTACT ADVERTISER
Property Summary
Category:
Apartment
Bond:
$1,500
Allow Couple:
Yes
Allow Kids:
Yes
Allow Pets:
Yes
Allow ShiftWorker:
Yes
Allow Smoker:
Yes
Allow Students:
Yes
Gender:
Either
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Property Location M
Oh Goodluck *fingers-crossed* finding rentals bites big time. It worked out cheaper for us to buy a place than to rent one big enough :$ It's a shit house, but it's big enough lol
3/52-60 Renwick Street Redfern. $640pw
Offers over 119sqm (total 144sqm) of internal areas, due north large sundrenched living areas flowing onto landscaped courtyard and large gourmet kitchen with dishwasher and quality gas appliances. Split level, two separately metered areas with direct private and secure access from street and car park, both levels featuring a full sized bathroom, laundry facilities and living areas. Perfect for shared residents who require their own space. 2 min walk to Redfern station, 6 mins to Central
Available late March, let me know if interested and I'll send you more info. Paul 0434565047
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