Going to OZ! Advise needed...

Zascar

Hi, I'm going to be going to Perth at the end of February. Ive never been to Australia and I'm very exceited, but i ned some advice. A few questions:

I want to rent an apartment with friends, and I was told that most apartments are unfurnished. Obviously I don't want to have to get furnature, but is it difficult to find rentals furnished, what is the best way to go about it?

I plan on buying a car at some stage, but I've no idea what I need, how much to spend, or where to get it, can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm not going to be doing a massive amount fo travelng, but need somehting appropriate...

All heppfull advice much appreciated.
thanks.

Ozeire

Yeah you find alot of the time that alot of apartments or units as they’re known are unfurnished. But if its like Bondi u'll often find good furniture on the side of the street some times...lol

Yeah u heard me right. With so many people coming and goin people tend to just leave they're unwanted furniture on the street side when they’re leaving a place .

otherwise they are usually plenty of second-hand Furniture shops round that are good value and wont break the bank to furnish your apartment .

Take care though a lot of the times people who rent out apartment often want Ref from where you work . And aren't that inclined to rent to Backpackers. So a little tip is get to know someone that's been there for a long time and has a full time job. If your really lucky you might get them to say they're the ones renting. See to an landlord they're a safer bet.

As for the car thing well its pretty much the sky over there. You can go from a few $100 to a few $1,000. The distances are massive over there eg Melbourne to Sydney takes 10 hours drive. Buy from a Garage is usually the best bet. Buying private is prob cheaper but unless you know what you’re doing you can get really stung bad.
The local papers usually have add’s for any thing from estate cars to VW Bugs . URL=http://www.autotrader.com.au/]Autotrader.com.au[/URL] is a great place to see what types cars are available

Another great site is http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/

Hope some this helps you and loads of fun mate

U might drop by my site www.irishdownunder.net and let me know what you think


AL

kelle

I know it's got nothing to do with the subject, but when I was building my house I tried unsuccessfully to rent an unfurnished flat (in Ireland) as I had all my furniture from my last house. Ended up buying a mobile home.

Zascar

Originally posted by Ozeire

U might drop by my site www.irishdownunder.net and let me know what you think

Thanks Mate very helpfull! Actually I have been using your site loads of times over the past few days. I meant to reply to the thread you had earlier but never got a chance. Fair play for doing it, its a lot of work and I suppose sometimes you never really learn if people find it usefull or not, but once you build on it, and get some exposure I'm sure you see how people appreciate it.

Don't worry about the criticism you got from the others, yes the site could use some work on layout etc but "Contact is King" and there are lots of usefull rescources to be found. If your planning on doing any more work on it give me a shout and Ill give you some tips. I used to design websites myself, so I'd be glad to give you some advise, in turn from more Oz advice from you . Also I've collected a few usefull liks that would be a nice addition to your site... Drop me a mail...

If anyone else wants to add anything, any tips on traveling at all It'd be great.

Zascar

Silvera

I'm also heading 'down under' v.soon.

Open a bank account within the first SIX WEEKS of arriving, otherwise it can become more complicated to do so. (Thats what I've been told anyway.)

And don't forget your travel/medical insurance - I got mine from coverworks.com.


Silvera.

HarryD

most places are unfurnished, but there are furnished places out there to cater
for people like you.
The best place to look is the notice boards in the internet cafes.
(although some of them have agreements with hostels not to allow people advertise accomodation on their notice boards)
Not sure if there is a WWC in Perth, but it's a great place for noticeboards.
(I found good furnished, cheap accom in the Sydney one)
You also might find accom adverts on the hostel notice boards, but
normally they don't last long as the staff in the hostel tend to take them down
(as it's stealing their business)
You will however be lucky to find a place with 3 or more vacancies in the same house.
Might be an idea to consider living apart.. it would be excitin :-)

it's real easy to buy a car in oz
most of them come with 'rego' which is tax/insurance,
so it's ready for the road.
In Oz the car is insured not the person (as in Ireland)
Buying a car is a hit and miss situation.
You could be lucky or unlucky.
Myself and some friends paid 5000AUD for a Van which
looked good, but only lasted a month, before dying
leaving us stranded in the midddle of nowhere.
I bought a car for 500AUD later, and it got me
all the way around Oz without a problem :-)

Again you'll see lotsa cars/vans/campers advertised in the hostels/internet
cafes, most of them will have the usual kitout (tents, roof racks, water cans,
..etc)

Hope this helps,
Ray