Apartments Around the World: Renting in Sydney, Australia
July 7, 2012 | Best Cities, Best Cities and Neighborhoods
Picture yourself with your toes in the sand of Bondi Beach, the sun beaming down on your face, listening to the sound of the waves of the Indian Ocean crashing onto the shore. If this sounds like paradise to you, then hop on the next flight from LAX, because you’re headed to Sydney, Australia.
After you’ve traveled the 7,488 miles from Los Angeles to Sydney, you’ll be delighted to see some of Sydney’s iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Sydney Olympic Park and the Queen Victoria Building.
After your 14 and a half hour long flight, you’ll be more than ready to try some authentic Australian cuisine. For those of us who are daring eaters, consider trying some kangaroo meat, emu meat, crocodile meat, and wombat meat. For those who aren’t so adventurous, have no fear. Sydney boasts a great variety of foods, such as the Australian hamburger and pavlova, that are sure to get Americans acquainted with Sydney’s culinary culture.
Sydney is filled with many neighborhoods, both in the city and the suburbs, which have plenty to offer every renter. In the city lie the neighborhoods of Darling Harbor, Haymarket, Chinatown. The main commercial center of the city holds the George Street Mall and George Street. Darling Harbor is a prime leisure, cruise, and dining destination. The main areas of suburbs hold some affluent homes, as well as some working class areas filled with history, cafes, and restaurants. With a variety of neighborhoods to choose from, Sydney offers renters plenty of options for every budget and taste.
When renting in Sydney, Australia, renters have one very important decision to make. Furnished, or not furnished—that is the question. If you’re planning on living in Sydney for at least six months, unfurnished is the way to go. Rents in Sydney are usually priced per week, but your contract may ask you to pay the rent on a monthly or fortnightly basis. In an unfurnished apartment, you will have to pay your electricity and water bill yourself. You also need to pay 4 weeks bond for any rental property. This Sydney apartment rental bond stays with an independent entity and is released when you vacate the property and return it back clean, neat and unharmed.
If you’re only staying in Sydney for a short time, then a furnished apartment is the right choice. A typical rent for a furnished apartment ranges anywhere from A$200 to A$2,000 per week, and usually covers the electricity bill.
Once you’re determined how long your stay will be, you can check out Australian apartment rental sites to see what your options are. If you’re not seeing something you like, you can reach out to a Sydney real estate office, and they can continue the apartment hunt for you.
According to Living in Sydney, the Sydney property rental market has been extremely tight in recent years. Housing shortages have made it increasingly difficult to get good deals on rent in Sydney. Sydney renters have been prepared to offer 20% above the asking rental to secure a quality property in prime locations. Before committing to signing a lease in Sydney, be sure to check out your tenant rights.
Whether you’re in the suburbs of the inner west or closer to the eastern beaches, Sydney is a delight for travelers and renters alike.
