One reason I'm thinking of not living there is the cost and the amount of time it takes to get to work. Choose convenient areas and it's really expensive, choose reasonable and it's a long commute... unless you share. If you're looking at somewhere convenient to the city like eastern suburbs /lower North shore/ inner west/ anywhere, it's around $250-$300 for a studio per week... for a 2bed you're looking at almost double that (more expensive if close to the water). My friends have been telling me that while I was overseas the rent sky rocketed since the financial crisis as everyone turned to rental from buying. I traveled 1.5hrs one way at one time and I don't want to do it again... although it's nothing in comparison to people who travel from places like Brighton to London! But I really think they really need more decent public transport, when I was there in Aus I spent a lot of time waiting for a train/bus as they'd cancel them/ change destination just like that!
I plan to pick my stuff up with a family friend, the other city I'm heading to is where she lives... she's arranged for me to share a place with her relative and the room is waiting for me already. When I find work I will look for a place to be on my own... def need a job to hunt for a decent place, if there are others inspecting the same place you have such slim chance of winning it. (letting agencies choose public servants and corporate employees-- esp people with a higher role-- over others as they are the least 'risky'?)
