I really don’t like house hunting. It’s stressful, takes a lot of time, and depressing when you consider just how f**ed the rental market is at the moment. 2 years ago we had no trouble looking for rentals, properties were plentiful, and prices were more or less reasonable.

We went to 5 properties on the weekend, some were really quite disgusting. Some hadn’t been vacated yet, and the squalor that some people live in absolutely astounded me. If this is the quality of tenant that they are willing to take, then why are we having such trouble?

We found two places worth applying for, 1 in Ryde, not 500 metres from where we live, and one in Ermington. The one in Ryde was ok, nice big backyard for the monster, but the kitchen was a bit feral (although really our current one isn’t much better). The second one in Ermington was a lot nicer, huge amounts of space, but the backyard was a bit small. And Ermington is even FURTHER out in the suburbs… we’ll probably see our friends even less.

The other thing we’ve had to consider is whether we should ditch the idea of a house altogether, give Shelton to a friend or Adam’s parents, and get an apartment. We would at least be able to save up enough money for buying a house. The thought of having to part with our big slobbery boy I think would be terrible… let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

I have to say it really is a depressing state of affairs in Australia at the moment. Housing prices are over-inflated, and rental vacancies are lower than ever. Even rental prices are going up 5-10% a quarter. I’d like to just say “stuff Sydney, I’m going to Melbourne”, but I hear it’s no better there.

Oh well, we find out tomorrow or Tuesday where we might end up next… wish us luck!