Choosing Where To Live

Once you have decided to move start to narrow down where you want to live. Whatever your budget – you will need to be flexible. So write a wish list and then grade the wish list. Work out what is a must-have and a nice to have. Also, keep in mind that this is not forever – you are going to move again.

What is important to you – being near transport, a quiet quiet area, parking costs, furnished our unfurnished, share or live on your own?

Public Transport

If you have to pay for parking at Uni or Work seriously consider public transport nearby. You can save on parking fees, petrol and can have a stress-free commute, and get a little exercise in as well.

Parking

If you have a car and there is nowhere to park it – it’s going to get annoying very quickly. Also, consider if you have to park your car on the street where it is open to the weather and vandals.

Noise

Visit your potential property a couple of different times during the day/night.

Does the kid next door practice the Trumpet from 7.00 am?
Is there a bar nearby that plays live music until 10.00 pm every night?
Are you or your flatmate a shift worker so is noise in the house during the day going to be an issue?
Is there a house being build nearby and constructions starts at 7.00 am?
Does your neighbour have a yappy dog?
Do you want to live in a party house?

Find out more about noise restrictions in your state at Domain.com.au.

Close to Amenities

Being close to the local shops is great if you can ‘pop to the shop’ for your groceries or meet a friend at the local cafe. If you move too far away from your family group of friends living on your own can get lonely very quickly. Find out where the nearest chemist, supermarket, parcel locker and gym is located.

Furnished or Unfurnished

An unfurnished apartment is going to be cheaper than a furnished one because you have to buy everything, including a fridge, washing machine, bed, couch etc. So add this into the costs. Once you have furniture when you move it will cost you money to hire a van or a removalist. If furniture is supplied it might not be your taste or show signs of wear and tear, don’t be too precious when you are first moving out as we mentioned – this is probably not your forever home.

Safety

Outside your property – It’s important to make sure you will feel safe walking home from the bus/train station in the dark and making sure your neighbourhood is safe. Check if the front and back door have adequate lighting and nowhere for someone to hide behind a bush!

Inside your property – Consider your safety inside your rental. If you are house sharing will you have a lock on your door, rules about one night stands? If you are renting a flat on the ground floor are all the windows secure and the doors have good locks or an alarm?

Choosing where to live is exciting

Take your time, ask people questions especially if you are moving into a share house – find out why the last person is leaving and if there is a people are only staying for a short time and then leaving. Read more about House sharing here. And keep an open mind if you do find the perfect place there is no guarantee you will get it.

Related Article: How much money do you need to move out