House Hunters Sydney – The Properties
As I mentioned in my previous post, we had a several criteria for our Sydney apartment search: distance from downtown, comfort/cleanliness, and design/aesthetic. In the end, it came down to the following 3 contenders:
1. The Dusty Warehouse 2 bed 2 bath $740
This apartment is a renovated warehouse, which is an aesthetic that we previously enjoyed living in Charlotte. JZ loves the industrial look with concrete beams and high ceilings. The open layout of the kitchen and dining/living area makes the unit seem even more spacious, and it also comes with a covered secure parking space with steel pipes to lock up our bikes. I like that the location is close to a large mall and a park, and it is also an easy 10 minute walk to John’s office.
The first time we saw the unit, the tenant was in the process of moving out, and the place was extremely cluttered and filthy. The carpet was especially bad: terribly matted, stained, and dusty. The unit has air-conditioning, although the filter is severely clogged with dust. Other than the filth, the biggest downsides are that the front door opens out onto a busy street and is near a highway. There also is no porch or outside space attached to the unit itself, but there is a beautiful rooftop garden.
2. The Parkside Greenhouse 2 bed 2 bath $760
I love the neighborhood this unit is located in; it is very green and family friendly. There are several parks nearby and lots of cute cafes and eateries only moments away. The unit has access to a large pool and fitness center located a block away. It is a little off the beaten path, but still only a 15 minute walk to John’s office. When walking around we saw several mums and bubs (the colloquial term for babies) running errands together. Most of the apartments in this area are well outside our price range, so I was very excited to find one we could afford.
The unit is quite small, but boasts a sizable porch in the back that looks out into a courtyard and park. The carpet is considerably cleaner than the first unit, but still could benefit from a good vacuuming. The biggest downside is the lack of heat and air conditioning. When we were at a local grocery store, we ended up talking with a woman who has lived in Sydney for the past 20 years, but is originally from Texas. Her parting advice to us was to not even consider an apartment in the neighborhood without air conditioning because it’s location on the water created a swampy summer heat.
3. The New Trackside Tower 2 bed 2 bath $720
After exhausting our options within easy walking distance to the city, we expanded to suburbs within biking distance and close to public transport. For reference, this unit is a 35 minute walk to Johns office, and is also right next to a metro stop. It stands out because it was part of a brand new building and has “penthouse finishes” (they finished the residences in November, and therefore actually resembles the listing photos) The “penthouse finishes” include tile floors throughout, nicer appliances, and a microwave is included. It is towards the top of the building, which means the street noise is a little further away.
Unfortunately, the neighborhood is still transitioning from its past as a suburb full of racial tensions and public housing. While there is a park two blocks away, there is a large university nearby so there are lots of students about. Also, the train stop across the street is convenient, but it does not have a particularly homey feel walking out the front door. A grocery store is allegedly under construction in the lower floors of the building, but we did not see much evidence that is coming as soon as the realtors indicated.
Now that you have all the information, which one do you think we chose? Check back soon for the big reveal!
Other posts in this series:
The Hunt
The Decision
#2 and buy a window air unit
Did I miss where you say those rent prices are weekly?
Haha…that was in the last post. 🙂