Living cost in Sydney (Around/near CBD)?

Question

Hi everyone,

Just want to your advice regarding:

1) Weekly price range for an apartment (for 1 person) that's within/near CBD (e.g. Pyrmont, Glebe, Broadway, Milson's Point, Ultimo).

2) My job's is in the centre of the CBD. Thus do you think I should opt for an apartment near/in the city (to avoid transport costs) or an apartment near a train line (i.e. involving travelling to/from work everyday).

3) General living costs such as gas/electricity/internet for a relatively cost saving person.

4) Grocery/food costs - for a person with relative healthy (non-junk food/takeaway) diet.

Thanks - Might seem like odd questions but any advice would be really appreciated. I'm getting nervous just thinking about moving to Sydney! So many things to think about - oh my goodness~

Answer 1

The basic one bedroom apartment 15 minutes same road as train station goes for around $200p/w petersham area

#3 really depends on if your a internet junkie or just the average user

Our family of seven uses $400 p/w on grocerys relatively healthy so yours should be around $100

Answer 2

1) See www.domain.com.au

2) Public transport in Sydney is a shocker. Live near the city if possible where you can at least get a bus. Trains are ALWAYS late.

3) Budget about $10 week gas, unlimited broadband $150 month (yes it is expensive)

4) $120 week food

Answer 3

It's just expensive!  I live in Redfern (which people will tell you not to do - becasue lots of aborigines live there) but the prices are cheaper, and it was a half hour walk to work in the city for me, and only about 15 mins on the train (once I walk there, wait for a train, squeeze in, etc).  My flatmates and I share and pay $340 a week.  I reckon your better slighly further out, and sharing a place - studios and one bedders are popular and therefore more expensive.  Also try realestate.com.au and flatmatefinders.com.au

Look at Ashfield/Strathfield - it's an express train to the city, and there is a saturated market of appartments.  It is a very asain area, which turns some people off, but it also means prices are more competitive.  Trains (from platform to platform) take around 15-20 minutes.

General living costs - so so.  Internet is pricey.  Either you pay to install and rent a phone line (up to $200 to install) and then pay about $50+ a month for net.  Alternatively, go wireless, pay the same, have lower downloads.  Unwired offers poor strength and speed, Virgin is no longer as competitive, but you do get free calls...

Food is what I find the most expensive!  Aldi is the cheapest, but they aren't as widely spread.  Try not to buy in small, suburban shops (price is higher) although the people are nicer, and Coles/Woolowrths in city locations can often be much pricier.  I can't work out how much I spend on food, it's a lot, and it's never healthy, cause it wastes too much/costs too much considering I am never home.

Good luck