Discovering Australia

Housing Home Finding

Selection of a rental home in your new community is one of the most critical aspects of your relocation. Your consultant will provide basic information on neighborhoods, schools and activities to help you with the first steps of this decision. Things to Consider Before beginning the rental search, it is important to determine which community best fits your needs. The city you are moving to may be a large area with many different residential areas. Each of these areas has its own advantages and disadvantages. In selecting an area, consider the points below. It is likely that several communities may meet your needs. Commute Time and Public Transportation Driving long distances to work and navigating large freeway systems and traffic can consume much of your time. Is it important that you have access to public transportation? You should consider this when selecting a location in which to live. Cultural Activities and Sports Events Most large cities and communities offer concerts, museums, plays, opera, sport events, universities, and other venues of cultural interest. Typically, they are located in the central part of the city but may be spread throughout the area. Housing Do you prefer an urban, suburban, or rural area? With some important exceptions, larger and newer houses are further away from the city center, perhaps offering more luxury for the money. However, you may have to drive further to work, access stores and services. Types of Rental Housing In Australia, many people live in houses rather than apartments. A high percentage of homes will have a minimum of three bedrooms and often more than one bathroom. It is not uncommon for houses in Australia to have garages, big gardens, and swimming pools. As the climate is excellent, Australians make the most of their outdoor space and many have a barbecue built into their garden. Home air conditioning and heating are not common, and most properties come equipped with ceiling fans. Expats moving to Australia will find a range of property types available: + Apartments — often referred to as flats. Flats with just one room are called studios Apartments with three or more bedrooms are not as common + Townhouses — sometimes called units or villas + Detached houses — it is estimated that more than quarter of the homes in Australia are detached houses + Semi-detached houses + Units or “terraced houses”

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Discovering Australia