I am going down to Sydney to study abroad for 5 months starting in February. I am a BROKE college student and am most concerned about where to find the cheapest apartment that is still in a fun/convenient area. I'll attend the University of Sydney. I have checked out all areas surrounding the University and also Bondi Beach because all I want is to learn to surf!!
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Also, do you think that I can find an Australian roommate? I am doing this all by myself because I want to branch out and have some experiences for myself without the influence of the same friends around, but I feel like all the ads are for non-students and hope that I can find a roomie that would appreciate an open-minded, adventurous American student!

I'll take all the advice I can get as I am nearing the end of my preparation time here in Seattle.

Thanks!!

quote:

Originally posted by annb04:
. I am a BROKE college student.....all I want is to learn to surf!!

Um, not if you're broke you won't. Here's a price list.

A few sites for finding a roommate -
Flatmate Finders
Share Accommodation (Gumtree)
Fltmates.com

Good luck, have a good time in Oz.
Cheers.

Well I guess what I was trying to say is that I would rather pay cheaper rent to have some money to surf. BUT thank you for that link because I just found out that I can add surf lessons to my University Curriculum! Sweet!

Well Sydney wouldn't be my first choice if I had little money.If I were you I'd get a job asp and get them pennies saved. Being broke in Sydney not going to be fun.
Jean

Hey again! So as I have noticed most people seem to want to let me know about how expensive Sydney is and as I am asking for advice I appreciate this, however, seeing as I have been enrolled in my exchange program for a few months now I have taken much care to research the city and get in contact with as many people as I know that have travelled or lived there.
So, in response to this, I wrote my post in hopes that I could get some POSITIVE advice from people who have some experience that could give me a few pointers on some cool and less expensive areas of the city and places that I could further research.
Seeing as I am going on this journey alone and am getting anxious as I anticipate my departure from home, the last thing I need is discouragement.
So in response to everyones advice and to preface future help. I know how expensive the place is and it doesn't change the fact that I am still a poor college student who was given an opportunity to go abroad to a city that was chosen for me. I know how to work for my money and am already looking for ways to continue these habits while abroad. That said if anyone has any POSITIVE advice to offer that would be HELPFUL to me, please feel free to let me know, otherwise you can reply to a post of someone who hasn't done their research. Thank you!

annb04,
Now don't get snotty with folk, they are only trying to put the realistic facts before you so that you'll have some sort of life in this great city. I'd assume the university will offer advice on accommodation. One bit of advice I'd give you in addition to my previous comment is get registered on www.hospitalityclub.org
this is a great site to contact local people meet up and have a chat,you'll get lots of advice and suggestions from the folk who live in Sydney and you may be offered free accommodation. We met some wonderful people on our round the world trip and I'd recommend contacting locals.
Best of luck and keep safe.
Jean

Annb04, my advice FWIW, unless you have a friend or know someone in Sydney, I'd book into a hostel for the first few nights. I'd recommend YHA - they would have a lot of useful information as to permanent accommodation. You could also contact the University.

I live in Melbourne but have been and stayed in Sydney many times. Friends of mine who live in and around Sydney have said some of the areas worth looking at are Redfern, Haymarket, Alexandria, Darling Harbour, Camperdown, Stanmore, Enmore, Newtown , Annandale, Glebe. and Leichhardt.
Also, with Redfern has good areas and not so good areas - East Redfern is the good part. My friends tell me it has become "gentrified".LOL

Paddington is very popular but also higher in rent.

There is also the inner west, Stanmore, Ashfield, Erskinville, Strathfield. Burwood and Croydon. Train service to the city is good and access to the Sydney University from these suburbs is easy.

You could also have a look at domain.com.au to help you get a "feel" for rental prices. Good luck, and if I can help at all let me know.

Hope this helps.
Cheers.

Thank you for the tips I will definitely get registered on these sites and check out the mentioned areas. All I meant with my last comment was that as much as I appreciate people with experience letting me know the facts, I do actually need some advice that will allow me to be proactive and as I am getting more anxious I want to be as optimistic as possible. So thank you again for the help and I will post more once I do a little more research. Thank you!

The University of Sydney has an accomdation service and can help you find places to live.

In my opinion the cheapest and best place to live around Sydney Uni is the Inner West (look at Newtown/Glebe/Camperdown). It is further away from the beach but much closer to the uni, far cheaper than Bondi and still close to public transport. Newtown in particular is on a lot of train and bus lines, is walking distance to Sydney Uni (and the city if you're feeling active) has lots of share housing and is just generally pretty cool.

You might also want to look at the accommodation listings at www.gumtree.com.au they have a mix of travellers and Australians and you can put your details there and have people contact you, or contact people needing roommates. I've used it to find every housemate I've ever had and found it to be quite useful.

This sounds great! I am looking into a place in Newtown right now and waiting to hear back. I have heard from friends that lived there and from research that it's a really fun and great place especially for students or young adults so I am really leaning toward it! Thanks so much for the advice!