Congratulations! You’re either moving to or extending your stay in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. You’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of living in the most popular destination Down Under at your own pace and at the time you feel like it. Surrounded by some of the friendliest people in the world, you can absorb the best of local and international cultures in a way that no short visit would allow.

Still, before you’ve settled, you have to find that perfect place you’re going to call home in the future. This is not an easy task since you have to take many elements into account when choosing the apartment that is perfect for you and those living with you. Here are just some tips that should help you make the best possible decision in that respect.

Location

As always, the real estate business is pretty much centered around this magic word. You might look for a place that is close to where you work or study or in the proximity of a school your kids will go to, but you may have to pay more than if you opted for a similar place in a different area of Sydney.

This is the moment when you have to analyse how much money and time you’d spend commuting or driving your kids to school and see if the savings you’d make by renting a cheaper apartment justify the decision. You may easily find that you’d actually be better off paying more for the apartment but saving money (and time) on transport. If you still have to rely on transport, make sure you check the availability of public transport in the vicinity of your apartment, since walking and cycling long distances along hilly and winding streets of Sydney can prove to be quite challenging.

Double-check the price

Depending on where you come from, you may be more or less surprised to find that the rental prices in Sydney are weekly rentals, rather than monthly. Some people may find it more convenient and easier to handle, while others can simply get carried away and rent a place they actually can’t afford.

The advantage of this is that you don’t have to wait for 1^st or 15^th to move in and you don’t have to write monthly cheques. However, be prepared to have your rent increased by whatever your landlord feels like since there’s no restriction like in some other countries.

Moving your stuff

The act of moving is actually equally stressful. You have to pack all your belongings and organise for them to be moved safely and swiftly. When negotiating with the removal company, make sure you mention all the heavy stuff they’ll have to deal with, besides all the boxes. You can either hire a company to pack your things or do it yourself, but the job has to be finished before the big day.

Since you want everything to go as smoothly as possible, make sure you find a reliable removalist from Sydney, who will know how to move your stuff to your new home without doing any damage. The last thing you want is to start your life in a new home disappointed because something went wrong during removal.

Check how furnished your new apartment is

Again, while in some countries you rent a place with all major appliances, the situation in Sydney may vary. Chances are you’ll have to get your own fridge and washer, for example, so the wise thing to do is to sort it out before you move in so that you can start living a normal life as soon as possible. Imaging not being able to have a cold, refreshing drink while moving in on a hot afternoon in Australia. Doesn’t sound great, does it?

So, if you want to find the right apartment for yourself and your family in Sydney, simply follow these tips and you’ll see that it’s going to be much easier to make the right call. After that, you can relax and start enjoying life in this beautiful city.

by Diana Smith