Hi,
My friend and myself (both IT men) are planning to move in first weak of Feb to sydney.. We do not have much savings so we are planning cheapest possible first 3 months. (during which we will hunt jobs). Here is our cost estimates... just the rough estimates..

Rent : 600 AUD per month (not much far away from central city as it will increase our commuting costs)
Food : 400 AUD per month
Transport, laundary : 200 AUD per month
Others : (internet,utilities, phone etc) 100 AUD per month

1300 AUD per month per person... (is this plan closer to cheapest one with some comfort)

[quote=gh_be_aussie;9044114]Hi,
My friend and myself (both IT men) are planning to move in first weak of Rent : 600 AUD per month (not much far away from central city as it will increase our commuting costs)
Food : 400 AUD per month
Transport, laundary : 200 AUD per month
Others : (internet,utilities, phone etc) 100 AUD per month

1300 AUD per month per person... (is this minimum one )[]

Sorry to break to you but I would imagine you have no chance of getting anywhere near those figures

I think those figures are a little optimistic to be honest.

I would have thought $600 per week for rent would be more accurate.

Mate, you will need a bit more than $1,300 per month! My wife and I spend $1,200 per fortnight on our living expenses (including the mortgage) and we're in Adelaide, which is a lot cheaper than Sydney.

I live in Sydney and have to agree with the above posters.

- Even some distance from the city you will not find anywhere to rent for $600pm, $2,000pm for an apartment should be about min budget. Take a look on domain.com.au for examples - quick search cheapest I found was this one room appt for $380pw - http://www.domain.com.au/Property/Fo.../?adid=4080306

- I don't do the food shopping but I expect food should be at least 600pm, maybe more

- For two of you transport would be around $400 pm

- You can get internet for about $40 pm, utilities I'm guessing $150pm mobile phones for two cheapest would be about $20 pm (if you bring an unlocked phone)

Adding up the above for two seems like about $3,500 per month would be a minimum, its costing me quite a bit more than that!

Also bear in mind that you will need temporary accommodation when you arrive, finding somewhere to live takes time, around a month is average and temp usually costs more, the basic place we stayed in was more than $1,000 pw and while nice enough was not luxurious.

Do you have a job to come to - bear in mind incomes in IT here should be fairly high too, so don't sell yourself cheap!

I'm not really sure why the other posters on this thread have replied saying that this is not acheivable? The original poster said :

My friend and myself (both IT men) are planning to move in first weak of Feb to sydney.. We do not have much savings so we are planning cheapest possible first 3 months.

Every other poster on this thread seems to be saying "NO those figures are too low" and comparing to their own situations (e.g. with mortage etc !!!)

Lets assume that the OP and his friend will be staying in a shared house. I looked on gumtree, eastern suburbs of Sydney and straight away I found a room for $170 per week (including bills) at bondi junction. This is a 15min walk (or 3min by bus) to bondi beach....and a 5min walk to train station.

In terms of transport, a Mymulti zone 1 ticket is $164. Unlimited train and bus travel.

Laundry costs - I've got no idea to be honest.

Food - $100 per week for one person on a strict budget.. no problem at all. For 2 people pooling together @ $200 - EASY.



Really not sure where the other posters on this thread are coming from, with their answers....

My mortgage is $1,100 per month. That's actually cheaper than a lot of people are paying for rent, so it's a perfectly valid comparison.

but if you were planning the "cheapest possible first 3 months" - would you get a mortgage, or even rent your own apartment or house ? No ! You'd share with others.


To the OP, you might have some money left over from your food budget, for a few surf lessons at bondi. This is a bargain...

http://www.ouffer.com/ouffer/320

That's true, but the OP is talking about renting with a mate.

he's only saying "rent", he's not specifying whether or not he means "in his own place with his mate" or "happy to share". I'm assuming the latter.

gh_be_aussie - where are you ? why aren't you online to let us know what you are planning to do ? This is all very inconsiderate of you. From now on, please remain online on British Expats, 9-5pm Mon to Fri, and await further instructions / advice.

You can easily rent a room in a shared house with two single beds for very cheap and share the rent costs of the room over the first three months until you find work. No big deal, like the other guy said, just look on gumtree

This is what every second Aussie does when they head to the UK, it's just that some people here in Aus are a bit more stuck up in that respect and think it is "below them".

Some people who haven't traveled don't really have an understanding or a perspective (people who have grown up in Sydney, not gone anywhere, and who's sole aim in life is buying the biggest house possible in the suburbs).

Your budget is easily achievable, and if you want to live on rice, pasta, canned tuna and frozen vegetables then you will be able to get those surf lessons and a few schooners down at the pub on top.

People talking about renting your own apartment or buying a house and getting a mortgage are living on a different planet.

Enjoy the experience, living cheap can be fun for a time and gives you a great perspective on life.

Closest to cheapest, I would agree.

With two of you sharing, that allows a combined $300 pw for rent.
That could get you a furnished twin / double room in a guest house. Perfect for singles, couples or two friends. Located within walking distance of Central Station....

Food: 2 of you at $400 per month = $800. We spend about $1,000 pm for 3 of us.

Comfort level depends on what you are used to, it would not do for me, but I do know others who survive 'comfortably' on such income. We spend about $4,400 pm for our comfort level.

Great.. you really catch the spirit of scenario...

Thanks for sharing useful info...

You can do it. My wife and I lived in $2800 a month which included car and some shopping and getting around so it can be done. Sure you won’t be living in the best of places and you won’t have too many luxuries but go for it. Worst case scenario, you would know you had a good shot at it.

With due respect, anybody disagreeing with me – I can mathematically break it down.

The main thing is your ‘mindset’. If you are in the zone and ‘want’ to do it, you can…..