10 Problems Only People From Sydney Will Understand
5. Renting Is Ridiculously Expensive & Buying Property Nearly Impossible
With such a large population to house and scarcely enough space to do it, the largest Australian city is also the most expensive Australian city to rent a room in.
Renting in Sydney is highly competitive and has become so expensive that it is not uncommon for one room to be shared (illegally) by at least four people or landlords squeezing a mattress into a tiny bathroom and advertising it as a cosy ensuite. There is a tough compromise that has to be made when renting in Sydney: live closer to the CBD but pay way too much for a room that's way too small, or live in a nice and reasonably priced room that's an hour and a half away from the city.
The other alternative to renting is buying your own property, but Sydney property is easily the most expensive in Australia with a median house price is over a million dollars. The reality is that living with your parents whilst working or studying full-time is just the norm for most Sydney-siders.