Thinking of taking the big step...

[fearless]

And moving out by myself.

I've mulled over the idea for quite a while now, but a $45,000 credit card debt kinda held me back.
But, now that I've got the debt pretty much under control, I've decided that it is time to start looking for a house to rent by myself. It's time I had my own space, to do as I please, to have control over who enters my house and for how long they stay. I probably will not finally do it until some time early next year but thought I should start looking at what is out there.

I'm gonna go check this place tomorrow: http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=5943171

Wish me luck. 

[Texan38]

Hey, the place looks nice! You must post tomorrow and let us know if the place is actually as nice as it looks!

Lots of luck!!

[David_CA]

It looks nice.  The price is a deal... or would be in US dollars; I don't know how your money compares to ours currently.  The deposit seems high, but maybe that's the norm for your area.  At any rate, good luck with it.  It'll be great to have your own place where ever you choose.

[aztecan]

Hey Steve,

The place looks quite nice. 

Just a thought - have you ever considered buying a home? I don't know how the financing works in Oz, but I have found owning is so much better than renting.

Also, my mortgage payment is less than most people pay in rent around here, and I can do what I please with my house, including painting it something other than white.

Just a thought.

HUGS,

Mark

[fearless]

David,
I should clarify - the rent is $450 per week, the bond is the standard 4 weeks rent ie $1800.

Mark,
I'd love to buy but property in the areas I want to live is outrageously expensive - the place i'm looking at to rent would sell for $800,000+. There is no way I could service a mortgage like that, and no way the banks would lend me the money.

[aztecan]

David,
I should clarify - the rent is $450 per week, the bond is the standard 4 weeks rent is $1800.

Mark,
I'd love to buy but property in the areas I want to live is outrageously expensive - the place I'm looking at to rent would sell for $800,000+. There is no way I could service a mortgage like that, and no way the banks would lend me the money.

The house would sell for $800,000!?!
That would be $543,201 in U.S dollars.
HOLY COW!

Its bad enough the rent is $1,800 a month.

I guess I am a pretty lucky guy to be able to afford a house.

I hope you find the place you like. Steve. I agree, living on your own is something I have always preferred.

HUGS,

Mark

[fearless]

I may have overestimated that Mark - i just did a check on the suburb and $600,000 is more likely.
Redfern, where it is located has a bad reputation (unfounded, for most part). If it was 100 metres away and on the other side of the road it would be Surry Hills and $800,000+

[Robert]

that is a nice looking place.

if you do the math, that's about $300.00US/wk or $1200.00 month.  For a 2 bedroom apt with a fireplace in the master bedroom and french doors opening to the verandah?  Patio and garden?  Fabulous.

It's hard to make comparisons but in SF that place would go for $3,000+ (USD)

Is it a single family dwelling?  or duplex? 

How far to work?  Is it on the bus line?

Shopping/stores/bars nearby? 

[Oceanbeach]

Hey Stevie,

The place does look nice and I am happy for you.  I lived with people once, we were students and had a lot of fun.  Some of us even graduated.  As one of the graduates, I got a job after college and bought a crappy little house.  I got a better job, opened a little company, fixed up my crappy little house and bought a bigger better place.

There is nothing like home ownership though, the first night in the crappy little house, I walked from room to room going, "mine".  I didn't like the wall paper in the kitchen, it had little girls, lollypops, doll buggys and puppies.  I remembered "mine" and ripped it all out.

I lived with a few people over the years since HIV.  For the past 10 years, I have lived in several rented houses with no one but the dog, life is good when one can live without other people    Have the best day
Michael

[leatherman]

I lived with a few people over the years since HIV.  For the past 10 years, I have lived in several rented houses with no one but the dog, life is good when one can live without other people

i couldn't agree more  After a couple roomies right after my first partner died, I took a big step and kicked everyone out. For 10 yrs, I kept the roof over my head and though our 6 spaniels passed away, I got 4 of the great-grandpups from the same line and kept us all safe, dry and warm. The freedom of all of it being "mine"  kept me from giving up my place and moving in with my second partner for almost 4 yrs. LOL Now that he's passed away, and I've ended up in a new place, renting with one of my old roommates , and a deadbeat second housemate.

Oh how I miss the days of living alone at my old house (that's the one I moved from 2 yrs ago next month to live with my partner); and ironically it's just 7 houses away, around the corner. LOL 

Good luck and best wishes on a new home, fearless. May all your neighbors be quiet and clean. (instead of loud and messy like the crack dealers next to me. ROFL)

[dixieman]

Sydney, New York City, San Fransico, DC, Los Angelas etc are just expensive places to reside... a place like that would rent for 500.00 to 600.00 here in Alabama... per month at the high end... my  mortgage is not a third of that in an historic neighborhood... it makes one wonder How can anyone save money? I put away 1/3rd of my salary per month... just in case of an emergency.

[fearless]

Things have moved along somewhat since I last posted about this.

I've looked at many a 1 bedroom house to rent, and to be honest the thought of paying $550 a week for something not ideal made me reconsider my options.

I'm gonna buy a house. It will mean that I'll have to move from the inner eastern suburbs to the inner west of Sydney. Physically, only a 3km shift, but in terms of phsyche and status a world apart. Surry Hills, where I live, is now tre-chic and full of 'soccer mums' (it wasn't when I moved there 20 years ago) and Newtown, where I will likely buy, is tre-grunge - young and vibrant with a gritty feel.

I'm currently getting finance approved but I have my eye on this cute little (and I mean little) one bedroom house. It has me written all over it.

check it out at: http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=2007473676

[Miss Philicia]

STATUS++ /FAIL

[RapidRod]

Sweet Steve. Are all the homes there that expensive or is it just the area?

[David_CA]

Looks really nice, but DAMN that's pricey!  Even with conversion, that's around $340,000 USD!  It is great owning a house, though, and for us is cheaper than renting.  Good luck with it!

[skeebo1969]

   Steve,

   That looks to be a nice and cozy little flat for sure, but jeez that price sure is steep!  I hope everything goes well with the financing.  When rent started to sky rocket in Miami I bought my first property, a condo, at twenty three.   Owning your own house is a big responsibility, but it sure beats giving someone else my money for the use of their property.

[aztecan]

Steve,

The house is adorable! I loved the hardwood floors throughout and the corner fireplace.

Oh, and the double French doors that open on onto the terrace/patio, the vintage architectural details, all a plus.

I don't think you can go wrong with owning a home and this one looks very nice.

Price is relative. The house I lived in while in Santa Monica, California, with my ex, was appraised for more than $800,000 U.S., and was only 600 square feet.

No landlords, no roommates - sounds great to me.

HUGS,

Mark

[fearless]

Expensive - yeah, but Newtown is mcuh cheaper than where I live. I'd be looking at $580-650K for a similar place in Surry Hills.

Property prices in Sydney are generally over the top, even in the current climate, with the average house price well over $500,000. However, the average price in inner city areas (a 5km radiou) would be closer to $900K - 1M mark, if not above. Hence, me forking out a fortune for a little 1 bedder. But hey, the suburbs are no place for a little poof like me.

Average Sydney house prices are nine times average annual household income which is one of the highest multiples in the world, apparantely.

David, the current conversion makes it sound not too bad in US $ but only 18 months ago the Aussie $ and US $ were almost on a par!!!

[fearless]

Mark,

It is adorable. And, the photos don't do it justive with all the current tenants junk in there and they left the best feature out - it still has the original cast iron cooker in place - you know, throw a log in there and keep it going all day - kettle on the cast iron plate ready to make a cuppa when guests pop round.

The more I see it the more I want it. damn

[skeebo1969]

   I see lots of mirrors on the bedroom wall.  Guess you won't be needing that, huh?

[fearless]

yeah, there hard to miss Tom.

But, believe it or not, if i get the house they will be going. I hate built ins at the best of time and in such a small room they take up too much space. I have the perfect little wardrobe and chest of drawers for in there.

I also have other mirrors 

If you think Newtown is expensive this is what's on offer in other inner city areas (mostly apartments). very scary stuff indeed. http://www.mortonandmorton.com.au/mm_fs?t=property/buy

[Robert]

hey steven

thats'a a great deal.  Like Mark says, it's all relative.  A place like that would easily go for $500k+ in SF. (here in Red Bluff more like $100K)  I love it.  The size, the floors, the patio, the neighborhood. You'll never regret it. In 20 years it will easily double in value and should you decide to move, oh, say, I don't know maybe out in the country somewhere, you can hold on to this place for your retire annunity and collect a nice, little rental check every month.

I hope it works. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. 

merry christmas...robt

[Rural_oz]

Hi Fearless

I lived in Newtown and then Enmore for nearly 10 years and absolutely loved it.

Good luck with your hunt for the perfect home   

(have you looked at St. Peters or Marrickville?  I was lead to believe they are the latest hot suburbs)

[skeebo1969]

   It looks great Steve.  Can't you take those mirrors off and put them on the ceiling?   I like that garden/patio area, very nice indeed.   I agree with Robert in twenty years it will more than likely double the price you paid.

   Good luck!

[Miss Philicia]

Is that man with the large genitalia moving in with your, Stevie?

[David_CA]

Is that man with the large genitalia moving in with your, Stevie?

Ms. P... never one to leave out the important questions.

[Ann]

Mark,

It is adorable. And, the photos don't do it justive with all the current tenants junk in there and they left the best feature out - it still has the original cast iron cooker in place - you know, throw a log in there and keep it going all day - kettle on the cast iron plate ready to make a cuppa when guests pop round.

The more I see it the more I want it. damn

Great house Steve, hope you get it! You CAN see the cast iron cooker if you take the virtual tour. It's so small and adorable - I want one!

And those floors are to die for.

Good luck!

Ann

[fearless]

Is that man with the large genitalia moving in with your, Stevie?

I can always rely on Philicia to cut straight to the chase. The idea is that I buy the house myself but he's will be able to stay as often as he likes for as long as he likes. That's what kicked this all off as I currently share a house and therefore have to tip toe round the flatmate all the time.

Once we double glaze the bedroom window we'll be set 

[Mouse]

Oh good.

Now when I am down there for a semester I'll just crash with you and eat all of your food.

[fearless]

You're on Mouse.

As a fellow littlun you will not take up much space and I like the idea of having my own little house boy, even if only for a semester  I have the perfect little space to keep you in, too.

Newtown, where I'm looking is full of students as the University of Sydney is on the eastern side of the suburb - see link with house and uni marked http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

[red_Dragon888]

arise, go forth and conquer!!!