July 30, 2010
When you’re living in Sydney in a fully furnished apartment, well serviced by public transport and with internet access, sometimes it can be hard to find an excuse to do some exercise. Well, how does taking in some of the world’s most beautiful coastline sound? There are multiple coastal walks to choose from around Sydney, and this website can tell you about all of them!
July 30, 2010
Hey there! Now that our new blog is well and truly up and running, we want to know what YOU want! What do you want to read about? What do you want to say? Posting comments on this blog or our facebook page, tweeting us, or emailing me (georgia@furnishedproperty.com.au) are all perfect ways to share your Sydney experience with people just like you! So jump on and tell us what you think!
July 8, 2010
Hey guys!
We’ve got two shiny new guesthouses – number 5 and number 7, Oatley road, Paddington – on the market! Have a look at this neat little walk-through of number 5:
Enjoy!
January 22, 2010
Most everyone knows that Australia is a place where the sun just isn’t too friendly, but it almost seems that not enough people take all the talk about sun safety so seriously. If you watch TV, you will have probably seen some pretty graphic and eye-opening commercials about skin cancer in this country, but… did it change anything? Did you choose to put on sunscreen that day or wear a long sleeve shirt and hat to the beach? Are we doing enough?
We care about the health and well-being of our tenants, so we want them to be well-informed of the dangers of the Australian sun. The facts sheet available on the The Department of Health and Ageing’s website is quite the shock, but these facts should be known.
Did you know:
Now, we don’t want to scare anybody from totally avoiding the beach. The sun can still be enjoyed; there just needs to be more precautions in line.
  photo credit: {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester} |
Tips for proper sun protection:
When not in the water at the beach, cover with light clothing. Apply sunscreen regularly, especially if you have been swimming. Avoid the prime sun hours of the day when the sun is the strongest. |
January 13, 2010
Go ahead and toss out those old calling cards. Skype makes expensive phone calls to friends and family back home a thing of the past. Actually, it makes paying for phone calls at all out of the question.
If you have ever found yourself in an internet cafe listening to someone with a headset talk to the computer screen, you have more than likely already encountered a Skype call in action, but the real benefit is making one yourself. All it takes is an internet connection and a free Skype account to take advantage of the no-cost Skype-to-Skype calls.
With that being the case, why is it that so many Furnished Property tenants have not yet tried it out? Nearly half of the tenants polled had said they never used Skype and typically relied on email and phone calls to keep in touch.
One Furnished Property tenant from Ireland stated, “I mostly use email, and I ring them once a week. I sometimes use MSN Messenger.”
Skype has been loved by backpackers since 2003, the year it was released, because it helped the budget traveller keep in touch with less impact on their travel funds. Seems like anyone concerned with a few extra dollars here and there, such as working holiday visa holders and international students, should jump at the opportunity to cut out extra costs. However, that does not appear to be happening.
And, it is not the case that they had never heard of Skype before. Of those same tenants polled, all of them knew what Skype was, but half had just not gotten around to trying it out.
“No, I’m a bad backpacker,” a Swedish tenant replied when she was asked if she had ever used Skype before. “I think about Skype, but mostly stay with calls and some emails.”
Here’s how it works:
Install the Skype software on your computer by visiting the website. Create a user name and search for friends already online. When this process has been completed, Skype can be used as an instant messaging program, much like MSN Chat or Yahoo Messenger.
Attach a headset to the computer, or just use your computer’s built-in microphone and speakers, and the program can now be used to make internet phone calls to other Skype users that are also logged on. What this means is if your family and friends back home also install the program and sign on, you can talk as long as you want – FOR FREE!
To take Skype to the next level, you can add in a webcam. That’s right, not only can you talk for free, but you can also see each other in the process. The world won’t feel so small to loved ones on the other side of the world anymore when you can both sit down and have face-to-face chats.
December 7, 2009
The Christmas season is just around the corner, and many of our Furnished Property tenants might not be noticing since there is a lack of winter holidays atmosphere here in the Sydney summer. While Aussies are quite used to hearing strange “White Christmas” type songs when it is a blazing 40 degrees outside, some tenants are caught off guard when December 25th actually rolls around and they realise they haven’t even sent their families a simple holiday card.
Without those cooling weather cues, it can just be hard for working holiday visa holders to get into the Christmas mood. So, for those who haven’t yet realised, it is time to start that gift shopping, especially if planning to send them to family overseas.
I’ve compiled a little help guide here in case anyone living with Furnished Property needs some tips for sending their families some Aussie Christmas cheer!
1) Christmas Cards – Some tenants might be a bit strapped for cash and just can’t afford much more than a card. But, who can really imagine sending a traditional card with snowmen and burning fireplaces when Christmas in Australia is the exact opposite?! So family and friends back home can get a real taste, try sending them Australian Christmas themed cards, such as this one with Santa surfing. Aldi has packs for under $5.
2) Fun Gifts – Sydney shops are filled with heaps of typical souvenirs that loved ones might enjoy back home, but for those looking for a more ecclectic gift, there is always the opportunity to send a real piece of Australian wildlife. Kangaroo scrotum keychain, anyone?
3) Thoughtful Gifts – Since our tenants are primarily working travellers or international students, families back home will be missing their presence at holiday events. What mother wouldn’t love to receive a framed photo of their child as a present? To accomplish this task, tenants can find a particularly nice photo of themselves in Australia, upload it to a local (based in their family’s area) photo printing shop, and have it sent out in time for the holidays.
Postage
When choosing to send a package from Australia to home, allow sufficient time for shipping. It is the holiday season, afterall, and it is always nice to be punctual with gifts. Besides this, there are a couple other things to be aware of:
1) Customs – Be as honest as possible with the customs declaration form. Otherwise, the item could be delayed, or not make it at all.
2) Know What You Can Send – It is a good idea to investigate if there might be any restrictions on any items being shipped. There are different regulations for different countries.
Hopefully, this gives the temporary Australia resident, working holiday visa holder, international student, or any other Furnished Property tenant a little bit of guidance when it comes to preparing for the fast approaching holidays.
November 11, 2009
It appears that the old saying of the grass is always greener is true no matter where you come from. Caroline, a 21 year old working holiday maker, arrived in Sydney about 3 months ago and decided to make the move because she was just tired of Sweden. She quit her former life as the manager of a food joint, gave up her apartment, and booked a one-way ticket to Australia. Now, Caroline talks about her less-than-normal life as a Furnished Property tenant in the heart of Sydney’s Kings Cross, full of unexpected coincidences and experiences that let us know that there is something to gain by being such a positive light.
“I was walking down the street last week wanting to know how much it was to get into Club Soho, which is kind of expensive. I went up to a guy on the street wanting to find out – a very good looking guy – and he said, ‘Oh my god, I’m promoting for this night club. Do you want to get in for free? I’ll walk you… as long as I get a few cigarettes.’ It’s like you never know what’s going to happen.”
Kings Cross is notorious around the world for its vibrant night life, and that draws in a large amount of backpackers and tourists throughout the year. Caroline agrees with the hype surrounding this location, which is why she lives there, and even states, “I think it’s better than living outside [Kings Cross]. I pay a bit more, but it’s so close to everything.”
Everything here includes the pubs and clubs that shape the local atmosphere, and, after three long months, Caroline is still not tired of being considered a tourist amongst backpackers. Actually, Caroline prefers the backpacker establishments when it comes to going out in Sydney because “you get to meet a lot of new people”. And, when it comes to the cost of a night on the town, she suggests to either have a pre-party at home first to save some money, or (she jokes) to just find a nice Australian guy to buy the drinks all night.
Besides laying back and enjoying the spontaneity of entertainment brought about by living in a city a lot larger than her hometown in Sweden, Caroline explains that it was her positive attitude that helped her to find two jobs within the first two weeks of being here, and now a third.
“I found another job at a coffee place. I just went there and said, ‘Hi, are you in need of staff? I would love to work for you.’ They told me to come back next week, on Wednesday. Two minutes. It was that easy.”
Caroline continues, “Be very open, and don’t be negative. Don’t say, ‘Oh, I won’t get an apartment, I won’t get a job,’ ’cause then you won’t get either. Being positive is good for jobs. …If you are happy and speak English, it should be easy to get a job. Just smile.”
Being from Sweden, Caroline has been trained to want things a certain way, but this has not stopped her from adopting the “no worries” Aussie lifestyle while here. Sure, the buses might come 10 minutes late, but she has learned to adapt and accept the good that comes her way. She even met some of her best friends while sitting on a bus! Caroline is definitely a roll with the punches type of gal, and this image exudes from her personality and every word she speaks. I found it a bit hard to imagine, but she was actually a little excited about the idea of fruit picking.
“Actually, I did think about fruit picking because of the second year visa. But, it would be cool, even doing it for a couple of weeks really… just going out there and just doing it. It’s the experience, so you can say you’ve done this.”
Caroline wants to experience all that Australia has to offer. She has recently discovered a love for surfing, and she would even say that it is more amazing than the skydiving she did last Friday. However, more than just adventure, Caroline is looking for the authenticity that the normal daily life can bring.
“So many backpackers come to Australia, and they are so into doing all the backpacker things. They go to all the places that everyone else goes to, and I think it’s underrated to do real Australia things, like hang out with real Australian people. It creates a whole different view of it… it’s their real life, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Caroline has no real plans for after her time in Sydney, but I’m sure that with such a positive attitude she will have no problems in taking the next step.
November 11, 2009
Pay for a couple of entrance fees, a few beers, a round of drinks, a greasy late night snack and a taxi fare, and your night out in Sydney has probably cost you close to next week’s rent!
It’s not easy making a budget night out for Sydney flatshare tenants. You all know the drill – You head out with good intentions, reminding yourself that you will only have a few before calling it a night. You say “hi” to some friends and decide to have just one more because everyone is having such a great time. One more turns into a few and before you know it, it’s 3 am and you’re stumbling into bed a lot less richer.
Believe it or not, there are ways that you can combat this vicious cycle. Just by making a few small changes to your routine, nights out in Sydney can be more budget friendly. Here’s how:
*Please be aware that alcohol is not to be consumed in Furnished Property guest houses. You may have to find a cheap, local pub to get you started.
And just when you thought the list would never end, I will impart yet another piece of hopefully enjoyable information upon your laps. For those looking for the best drinking deals during the week, be sure to take a look at Sydney Happy Hour for a mapped out view of the best locales to get your drink on from Monday to Friday.
Hopefully this guide can be of assistance to our budget Sydney flatshare tenants, as well as anyone needing to cut back their weekly night out spending habits. Cheers!
October 6, 2009
Claire is a native Dubliner that has been in Sydney, and Australia for that matter, for just 5 months. Unsure of what she wants to go back to university for in Ireland, this 21 year old thought it was just a good time to experience life down under. I recently set up a time so that I could learn a bit more about her adventures here as a foreigner. It was particularly interesting to hear about her work endeavours because, unlike our last month’s interview, Claire has found it anything but easy to find a job in this bustling city.
“When I was getting desperate for a job, I had an interview at KFC. The guy asked me what kind of visa I had, and I said it was a working holiday. He immediately said, ‘No, sorry. We don’t take backpackers.’ It was shocking. I’m not a backpacker. I want to work. I live in Sydney.”
Many jobs around Sydney are currently looking for residents of Australia instead of those that can only be hired on a temporary basis.
When talking to Claire about this hot issue for those on working holidays, she responded, “Residents could just as well leave in 2 months whereas another working holiday person could still work for up to 6 months.”
Claire’s frustrations on the matter are not unwarranted. It took her a long 3 months, numerous applications, and 4 previous interviews before finally getting a job at Wicked Campers. The funny part of this story is that getting that job involved no flaming hoops whatsoever.
“I applied to an ad on Gumtree, and a week later she called me and asked when I could come in. It was really laid back.”
Knowing a little bit about Wicked Campers already, I just had to ask her about the infamous Naked Special they offer customers. Claire laughed and explained, “A couple of people have come in naked that I’ve seen. We have to take a picture of it, too. This woman came in naked and was like “hi” – I was a bit shocked. Last week a couple of guys came in and one asked, ‘If I come in naked, I get a day off, right?’ He went outside and took his clothes off and came back in.”
“It’s a really good job, really. It’s really laid back and friendly.”
Even though Claire really enjoys her job with Wicked Campers, she does work 6 full days every week. She knows it’s not optimal, but compared to other people, she’s doing pretty good.
“I don’t get much time off, but if I had more, I’d love to go to Coogee Beach.”
“If I never had to work, I’d be out in the sun all the time – at the beach or in the park. I love it. The weather is so nice.”
As for jobs in general, I would say Claire has been quite lucky in her life. She has never had to flip burgers or dress up in a funny costume for children and low pay. When asking if she has ever had a horrible job, she replied without hesitation, “Not really. I’ve only worked at three places.”
After a bit more thought, she then added, “…but I guess when I worked at the bookies (a betting place), it was bad. A lot of long hours… Got a lot of drunken people in there. The all day shifts – you have no life. You work, sleep, and work.”
Before leaving, I asked Claire if she had any advice for Furnished Property tenants still looking for jobs in Sydney.
“Try Gumtree. Before, I was looking on Seek and other job sites. The job sites are more awkward. A lot of jobs are commission-based and say you can make lots of money, but it’s basically impossible to make money. Gumtree is more down to earth.”
Claire is planning on sticking around Sydney for a while to work and save more money. She hopes to make it to Melbourne and Brisbane, and possibly stay in Australia for a 2nd year. Thanks, again, Claire for meeting with me, and I hope you enjoyed your dinner voucher for Wagamama’s!
October 6, 2009
Well, my name is Eugene and I am currently living in 252 Campbell Parade. I originally come from Singapore and am in my 4th year now taking a Aerospace Engineering degree in UNSW.
My favourite beach in Sydney is obviously Bondi Beach because it has beautiful waves, nice pristine sand, beautiful people, wonderful pubs and all in all, it just radiates a vibrancy that one can never find in other beaches in Sydney.
I took up surfing because I didn’t want to spend my whole time in Sydney only studying and choosing a place next to the beach to surf is just about the best decision that I could have taken.
Just a note, it takes little less than 1 minute to reach the beach and it’s always a source of pride whenever I tell my friends that I live near Bondi beach… like really near.
