How to find a place to live in Hamilton, New Zealand
The day before yesterday, I began the search in earnest for a place to live, & the means to pay for it. The reason for the location is that: A. it’s on the main highway of the North Island, & B. in the Center of the Island, for selling a Motorhome. I’ll need to empty it, do a little freshen up, & then look for another vehicle. That will take some time, as it’s a good time to sell, rather than buy, to get my money back.
I found a disturbing pattern, that needs addressing. Most people are looking for tenants (in a flatmate situation) who are working full time! And a lot of those people are tenants themselves...
In this economy that greatly surprised & offended me. How dare they! So many people are out of work, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that I found that an unreasonable expectation.
Your choice of expletives😡 😢 😤🤬😳🤭
So I considered a new approach, to find a place of my own. Affordable housing is indeed a rare gem these days, & highly prized. I started by doing my budget, which is extremely tight. Sorted NZ have a fantastic budgeting tool that works out your budget as you go, allowing you to tweak areas to make it fit, for people like me who suck at maths 😂
First step, find a place I think I can afford:
Now see if it fits my budget.
Here’s a really good budget tool, that’s easy to use:
https://sorted.org.nz/tool/budgeting-tool#/welcome
Alternative living options for these times, are something even older adults need to look at.
Flatmate living:
https://sorted.org.nz/guides/planning-and-budgeting/going-flatting/
Check what I might get from the government if I’m successful in my application:
Work and Income:
Next looking at cheaper options for the basics, for a rental situation:
Electricity providers:
Having very limited internet on my phone (7gig per month) makes the process difficult, but thankfully we have public libraries with free wifi. We must be grateful for the small things eh. And an hour free each day on a 2 Degrees plan.
That helps the budget for the essentials. I’m looking at the possibility of using the internet as an entertainment option, for streaming. Not sure it fits in the budget, but I don’t have a TV, amongst other essentials for land based living, at the moment.
Cheapest broadband:
https://www.glimp.co.nz/broadband
It’s an interesting exercise trying to set up again, & finding all the resources who will help me with essentials for free. I hope my research helps others to find what they need too.
A doctor is important:
https://doctorpricer.co.nz/-37.7825893,175.2527624/62#list
For furniture I looked online & found the best place to look for free stuff was Facebook Marketplace. I didn’t find what I needed, in the area I’m in, but in Auckland there’s heaps.
To do a basic setup I’ll need:
- a single bed or double
- fridge
- washing machine ✅ (a friend is loaning me one)
- vacuum cleaner (I may have this)
- clothes rack
- TV
- sofa bed or couch for the lounge
- small dining table
- a dining chair (for sewing at) ✅ (another friend)
- A toaster & kettle (I may have a kettle)
- a service who deliver free, as the truck doesn’t have access for furniture
*Update*
So far I’ve been offered & accepted a property that’s huge in comparison to m my current living space of 5m 😂 but tiny in all respects. I’m thrilled to bits this wee green came up, as it’s in a block of ex council units, has parking outside the door, is back from main roads, has been fully renovated, has privacy, & no lawns to mow etc.
There are a Lot of people who need help with this stuff. I’ve seen dozens living in cars, & not because it’s their preferred option.
Let’s get our caring side out & do what we can to alleviate people’s poverty. 🤗 And I’m not just talking about mine.😉 I now understand people who have assets & no cash 😂
I heard about this today:
https://www.plainenglishawards.org.nz/enter-the-2021-awards/2021-peoples-choice-best-award/
How am I doing?
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