7 Tips For Finding Student Accommodations in Sydney

Traveling in Sydney to Study? Here Are 7 Tips for Finding Student Accommodation

The state capital of New South Wales, Sydney, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most expensive, livable, and beautiful cities. It is home to prestigious higher learning institutions such as Macquarie University, the University of Western Sydney, the University of South Wales, the University of Sydney, and the University of Technology Sydney.

With two of its universities ranked among the top 50 globally, it has attracted approximately 35,000 students to live and study in its city. Thus, if you plan to travel to Sydney to study, finding the ideal place to stay throughout your academic journey will be a challenge.

To help you out, here are some tips to help you find the best student accommodation.

Start Your Search Early

Sydney is one of Australia’s most famous student destinations, so various types of Sydney student accommodation are available. If you want to find the best place to live, you should begin looking for potential locations as soon as possible. Usually, renters should begin looking for apartments one to two months before moving out as a general rule.

And remember that the same place you found will most likely be available if you’ll look early. However, if you put off looking for an apartment for too long, your options will be limited.

Narrow Down Your Options

After you’ve made a list of potential locations, it’s time to cross a few off the list. In doing so, it is critical to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each location. When narrowing down your options, one of the most important considerations is the distance between your university and housing, as living in Sydney is expensive.

Also, it is better to choose a location with the amenities you want, such as pools, laundry facilities, and parking areas. Keep in mind that your perceived need for specific amenities may change as you narrow your search, so be open-minded and flexible.

Check Out Different Areas of Sydney

One of the most student-friendly suburbs in Sydney are Darlington, Marrickville, and Randwick. Make an effort to visit the various locations in Sydney. It is always best to experience the environment and neighborhood in that area, and it is a great way to decide where you want to live.

Also, you might never know if you like a specific neighborhood to settle in if you do not visit it. And you might regret not checking it out at the end of the day when you have already settled in your newly bought place.

Ask Around for Recommendations

If you are unfamiliar with the areas of Sydney or are having difficulty finding the right place to settle, the best way to decide is to ask for recommendations. If you have family and friends in the Sydney area, seek their advice. Besides, they might make great recommendations that will help you decide where to live.

However, if you do not know anyone who knows the areas in Sydney that well, you can also go look around the internet. You might find people from housing websites that can help you decide.

Consider Your Budget

According to the CNN 2021 list of the most expensive cities to live in, Sydney placed fourteenth. Living there while renting an apartment as a student can cost you around $500-$1,000, depending on the location. And that does not even include other daily expenses, such as food and transportation.

Meanwhile, if you have the option to rent a room in a house, it may cost you $150-$250 a week. The closer the place is to campus, the more expensive it will be. And that is why it is essential to consider your budget before anything else.

Read Reviews Online

Once you’ve decided where you want to live in Sydney, do some research on the internet to see what people say about the area. It is a crucial step in the decision-making process because it gives you an idea of the location and allows you to learn about other people’s points of view.

Furthermore, there are countless websites that are helpful for finding reviews, like StudentCrowd, Studenthut, and Student.com. They can be helpful in finding available houses and apartments for you to stay in when studying in Sydney.

Contact Agents Directly 

As someone unfamiliar with the layout and neighborhoods of a city like Sydney, hiring a professional who devotes days to scouring areas for available apartments and houses could be a huge advantage. While if you intend to live in a major city’s downtown area, having a real estate agent will be highly beneficial in arranging appointments to view available spaces.

Some of the most trusted student housing agents in Sydney are JLL, Ray White, Scape, and LJ Hooker. Moreover, they can help you get in touch with potential landlords or property managers. They will also give you a general idea of rental prices in the area so that you can better budget your money.

Roommate Matching

If you are on a budget, one great way to reduce your accommodation expenses is by sharing a room or an apartment. By looking for a roommate, you could find someone who you can share the rent with or, better yet, get to know someone while in Sydney. You can get creative in finding potential roommates.

To start with, if your university has a roommate-matching program, take advantage of it. If not, you can look for potential roommates on various websites or social media platforms like RoomSync and Servitas.

Final Thoughts

Indeed, finding an excellent place to live, especially in a bustling city like Sydney, is a challenge. That is why the tips given above will help you decide the suitable accommodation for a student like you. So keep them in mind, and you’ll surely find a place in no time!