House searching continues...

Jetty in Esplanade

During the time I was chasing after a car, Slavka spent time inspecting houses and flats. Overall, the first two weeks have been quite exhausting. First I had jetlag and I slept like three to four hours a day until I got out of the time zones shift. In the office I had to work, I had training for the new project that I've already been assigned to. This is a nice, small project for customers in New Zealand, so I'm quite looking forward, I would like to go there to have a look. But every evening after work I once again turn on the computer and till late night we are looking for apartments and cars.

old and new together

We set the maximum price to $400/week hoping that we will manage to find something at this price level. But I do not know, whether just a new year is a good time to search for lease, because after the Christmas break it looks to me there is a very great demand, probably greater than sometimes in July. But nevertheless we started looking for one.

park in the center

Slavka did all visits mainly because I could not leave the work. But it all works here completely otherwise than at home. Inspection is mostly in the morning around ten, at lunch or around four PM. Overall it takes maximum 15 minutes. At first we thought it's too little time but it turned out that even 5 minutes is enough. Either it looks ok, or it looks terrible. So the decision is always quite quick.

church and skyscraper

Slavka went for a few inspection of apartments quite close to the city center, but it is true that apartments here are terribly tiny. Two-room apartments with such a small bedroom that it barely fits a bed and that's all. Therefore we decided to look either for a flat, which will at least look a bit ok, or some small house. Properties here are always in a complex, which is either the some of apartments or houses together.
But we were very surprised how many people come to such a inspection. 30 or even more at the same time. Anyone have a quick look and if it's ok, the another process starts. From agency you need to be taken quite comprehensive form to be completed and brought back to the real estate agency. You need also to pay one week the rent in advance. In the event that landlord chooses us, this deposit is used to cover the first week rent. But in the event that after successful selection by landlord we decide not to take the apartment, the deposit shall be forfeited to his benefit. This way they taking that people do not make many requests at once and then you just choose what suits them best. It is all up side down here, the landlord here is more protected as a tenant.

men at work:)

We found a pretty nice apartment in a great neighborhood and we also sent the application and paid a fee. The application form is also very interesting. Everything has to be filled in, even the numbers of shoes. No joke. The form has about 10 pages, mentioning the previous employment, residential address, at least two references to people, contacts at work, your friends, family. Then as much indentification documents as possible must be enclosed, such as passport, driving license, credit cards, insurance card, and of course, document the credit, so attach salary slips, bank statements and so on. The more data you enclse the more likely to be choosen by landlord.

another church - here are many of 'em

hm...church ??? :)

After two days the lady wrote us that unfortunately they did not select us. At this time we've seen quite a few flats and houses. We found that since we are new to Australia, it is very difficult to get local references and get a lease. Thus, at the end of week we acted. Slavka was on visual inspection of a house where it happen to be just three people, so we decided to take action. Chance of us beeing selected from among the three was quite high since it is possible that no one except us have placed application form to this house. And that was the case. We have brought the application form, paid and already after 15 minutes they called me from real estate agencies that they give us a chance to live in the house. Hooray, we did it.

no, this is not a church, it is a restaurant

Our house is located about 10 km from the center, I neet about 20 minutes to get to the work by car which is quite nice. It's a huge bulgalow, we have a double garage, living room together with kitchen, bedroom with private bathroom and two more rooms, to this one more bathroom and separate toilet. Outside a small terrace and that is everything we need for now. Perhaps too much.
I am satisfied, only Slavka has to get used to that we are a little bit further to the city center than before. Otherwise it is ok. The only bug is that there is a very weak GSM signal, so we have not good internet, which we have so far only through the phone. But I plan to get an ADSL2+ line so I hope after that it will improve.