Noise
Noisy locations are often not the most desirable, and this means that a lot of potential renters will be put off. If the property is near to an area with a lot of traffic, nightlife, a sports venue, or even an industrial space that is likely to be noisy, it might be more affordable and easier to win. But can you cope with the noise?
There are actually many different methods that you can use to cope with the noise. Think about whether the apartment has been set up to properly block out the external sound? You may be able to make some simple changes that make a huge difference.
Thick and heavy curtains can help to create a sound barrier, and you can use white noise machines to drown out the sound. This can be particularly helpful when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Noise-cancelling headphones can potentially block out as much as 70% of ambient noise. Silicone earplugs may also block out a similar level of external noise, leaving you to get a peaceful night’s sleep even if the apartment suffers from external noise.
Lack of Light or Ground Floor Properties
A lot of people are put off when they see that there isn’t a lot of natural light entering buildings. Humans need sunlight, and it can certainly be very appealing to find an apartment with lots of large windows to soak up those rays.
However, there are workarounds. Using mirrors is a great way to maximise the light that is in the property already. LED striplights are cheap and easy to install and remove, and some of them can even mimic sunlight by replicating the hue of natural light. If a place appears dark and dingy, don’t worry too much as this is something that can be fixed.
The Area Doesn’t Seem Safe
It is best to live in an area that gives you peace of mind, of course, but if an area doesn’t seem safe it isn’t necessarily something you should rule out.
There are so many more potential security features including motion detection cameras with speakers. These can automatically video your intruders and even warn them that they are being filmed. It also gives you the chance to alert the authorities.
If your home is kitted out with security equipment and a smart doorbell, it is likely that any potential criminals will steer clear.
Poor Internet
There are still plenty of areas where the internet connection may not be ideal, and low-speed or unreliable connection can be a dealbreaker.
However, just because a home’s current setup isn’t great, it doesn’t mean that it will be when you move in. Shop around for the best 5G deals. A 5G internet installation can offer you enough speed for streaming, gaming, video calls, and pretty much everything else you need.
If the internet is poor in some areas of the property, you may be able to set up a booster, but this isn’t always an option. In this scenario, a powerline network can give you a lot more stability by using the existing electrical setup of the property to boost connectivity.
Work Travel Distances
Being shackled to the office is one of the main limiting factors in terms of where you can live. Nobody wants to spend hours and hours driving to work every day.
It could be time to talk to your bosses and considering moving your career to online work. In 2021, over 20% of people were working from home in Australia. If you can get yourself into this sort of position then there is every chance that you can cast the net much wider for your new rental property.
But what if all else fails… what next?
We’ve covered the issues that you might experience and some workarounds, but there are more novel ways to think about your living situation.
Find a Town That is Actively Trying to Get New People to Move There
There are towns and settlements out there trying to boost their population. The Australian Outback town of Quilpie recently launched a scheme to try and encourage people to move there. People who move in and buy a house receive the value of the land back as a grant, meaning that the land itself is effectively free of charge. Explore whether there are any places currently offering incentives for people to move in.
Take an Adult Gap Year
Maybe you always planned to travel but you’ve just never got round to it. If you can’t find somewhere to live in Australia, this could be the perfect time.
If you’re already freelancing or working online then it is even easier, but there are ways you can make money while travelling such as fruit picking(In Australia it seems when you don’t have to worry about big city life expenses you can save $5k a month fruitpicking) or finding seasonal work around Asian or South American countries. Even much of Europe is relatively affordable, and the cost of living can be as low as 1/5th of that in Australia.
Australians have a decent amount of freedom to travel and work, with the Department of Home Affairs having set up specific deals with countries including Greece, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Chile, allowing Aussies to work in their countries for up to 12 months.
Join Forces With Someone Else Looking For a Home
If you’re used to living alone or as a couple then you might not have considered options involving other people. Even if you have children, it is possible to find somebody else who is looking for a similar property and join forces. This way, you may be able to get a much bigger property and benefit from amenities like a bigger garden.
On top of this, if there are more people on the lease, you may be a more attractive option for the landlord.
Spend More, But Budget to AirBnB One Room For 5 or More Days a Month
By letting people rent your property for a few days a month, you can make a significant dent in the rent payments, which may mean you can spend a little more on the property in the first place.
If you’re able to go back and forth to your parents’ home then you can vacate the property during this time and let others stay for weekends while you stay elsewhere.
Alternatively, you may have a lounge space that is able to be converted into a bedroom, meaning you can invite others to share the space for a fee.
Move Back Home With Your Parents
A lot of people see this as a step backwards. However, it may just make a whole lot of sense for everybody concerned. Your parents may be happy to have you back, at least temporarily, and it can be an amazing opportunity to save some money while you don’t have to deal with the current price of rent.
Moving back with your parents may feel like getting rid of some of your independence, but there are definitely some big plus points to it, and you will be in a much better situation when the rental market calms down again.
