Renting in Brisbane is quite challenging, just wanted to share a few thoughts after helping a friend with their property search.

So, when I first arrived in Australia, I also booked a room online, but when I got there, I was shocked. It was a complete scam! I had no choice but to accept it. 😮‍💨 Now, my best friend is coming soon, and I don't want her to go through the same ordeal as me. Since I'm on vacation and have nothing to do, I decided to be a "proxy viewer" and share today's findings with my friends~ Today, I viewed a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment with a semi-open balcony in the living room. The size is not very large, but it's enough for one person. There are basic appliances like an oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. It also has central air conditioning and underfloor heating. However, the bedroom only has a small window that can be opened, so ventilation might not be great. The flooring is similar to most houses in Australia, with tiles in the living room and carpet in the bedroom. Carpets are not easy to clean, so daily maintenance is necessary. As for the location, it's near the Queensland State Library. Since my friend is from QUT, I tested the walking distance from QUT, which took about 25 minutes. It's mostly on main roads and relatively safe. There are also several supermarkets along the way, and plenty of restaurants downstairs. The surrounding area is quite lively. In terms of price, it's relatively normal, just over $500. You can move in from January, and it seems like there's room for negotiation according to the agent. However, my friend hadn't made up her mind at that time, so I didn't pursue it further~ It's really a two-hour search for a room, but only two minutes to view it. It feels like I spent more time on the road than actually seeing the place. [Facepalm] But honestly, I suggest that those who are not in Australia should find a friend to help them view the property in person, or consider using professional proxy viewing services. I've summarized a few points to pay attention to: 1. It's best to walk the distance from the school to the apartment in person, as Google may not be accurate. 2. Pay attention to the surrounding environment because online listings only show the location, and you can only understand the nearby situation by visiting in person. Focus on the distance to supermarkets, bus stops, and subway stations. 3. Generally, agents are less willing to show properties on weekends, so try to choose weekdays. 4. Pay attention to natural lighting and noise conditions. Lastly, I wish everyone good luck in finding a suitable house!