Moving to Melbourne in May 2017 - need a place to stay

Hi everyone,

I am relocating to Melbourne in the first 2 weeks of May 2017 for work. I am wondering what the best accommodation options are. I am a single non-smoker female in my early-30s with no pets. I will be working in Melbourne CBD.

I have been looking at various options:
- Short term: Either couchsurfing or staying in a hostel until I can find a place to rent.
- Long term: Either rent a room in a sharehouse or rent a studio/1-bedroom apartment (preferably furnished). My budget is no more than $300 per week but if it's somewhere that requires commuting then I would probably want to pay no more than $250 per week.

This is my first time relocating to another city and I am a bit lost as to what to do. Staying in temporary accommodation until I can find a place to rent seems sensible, but I am concerned about safety/security, particularly as I'll be bringing luggage and valuables such as a laptop. However, if I sign a lease before I get there, the property may not turn out to be what I expected and I don't want to be locked in to living in a place I don't like for 6 months.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
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2 Answers

Hi jm8,

Are you looking at living in the CBD?

If you are unable to attend any inspections before you actually move to Melbourne then temporary accomodation would be a good ideas as most rentals aren't able to be rented out to someone who hasn't been to an inspection. Definitely makes it hard for those coming from interstate. Do you have anyone that could inspect on your behalf? On the bright side you should be able to find something suitable in that price range :)
As far as hostels are concerned, if you stay at a decent hostel or pay extra to get yourself a private room you should be fine! Airbnb could be an option for you too.

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Hi Jm8,

OMG!!!! I FEEL your frustrations as I am in the exact same boat and moving over the exact same time from interstate also. Basically just waiting on finding "that place" to call home as like you it's all knew too me. I have a few friends over there but I certainly am going over blind. For the last 3 weeks I've exusted every search engine that's online And I mean all of them. I've signed up for flatmates.com. easyroomate. Studio apartments and short stay options and haven't really come back with anything solid. Day after day I'm emailed new properties but due to not being able to inspect or meet the owner I just keep getting pipped at the post. It's a long shot but everything happens for a reason and tonight I was almost ready to give up and go towards something like the air bnb....... Then I read your article. For a moment I thought I was reading my own ad that I've put up on the sites I've registered with. When I realized I'd just stumbled across someone that shares my current angst and frustrations I instantly answered out load "OMG I'll SHARE WITH YOU". you may think im a nutcase predetor. Rest assured I'm neither. I'm just a girl a few years older than you about to embark on a new life in a really big city really soon and have nowhere to live yet. Anyways the balls in your court. Short term is def the first step. I'm not even sure if what I'm suggesting is legal on thiS CHAT and if it isn't my apologies. Just flick me a reply if it sounds like something ud like to discuss further and we can go from there. I'm definatley keen to meet some new people that could become friends eitherwsy . All the very best of luck in your search for a place to call home otherwise.

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leighr1

Hi I have a room from 18th May, large house modern clean, and a lock on the door. If your happy to share your email I can send you the link - best wishes Leigh

leighr1

https://flatmates.com.au/P519205

leighr1

Maybe it's an option short term until you are sure what you want

sarahbalnaves

Hi Leigh. Thank you for your message. I can be reached in email [email protected]. look fwd to hearing from you. Regards Sarah

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