The Gold Coast in Australia is a top choice among students. It has top-class colleges and provides the best education. If you are also a student who wants to study abroad and build a successful career, then the Gold Coast is the best pick. You can find many options for student accommodation in Gold Coast.

Whether a shared flat, personal space, close to the university, centre of the city, within your budget or any other requirement, there are many options for you. However, if you are wondering how to find the best one for you, then read this article. You'll find a complete checklist to pick the right student accommodation in Australia. So, let’s take a look at it.

Checklist for Choosing a Student Accommodation

International students who move abroad for the first time struggle with finding a good place to stay. If you are looking for a place to stay on the Gold Coast, then you need not worry about anything. It's because in this article, you can find a complete checklist that you can refer to while finding student accommodation in Gold Coast. So, here it is:

Choose a Housing Type

Firstly, you must choose a type of student accommodation in Gold Coast that you like. There are multiple options for it, such as On-campus halls that are run by the college, private halls by companies, shared flats and homestays. You can stay on campus if you are a fresher, as they are safe and affordable. The private rentals and shared flats are best with modern facilities and privacy. The homestays give you a local experience. So, choose the one you like the most of all these.

Start with a Budget

Secondly, you must have a clear budget. This is important because without a clear budget, you cannot decide on what to do and where to live. Your rent varies by the type of housing you pick. On-campus Halls cost you AUD 250 - AUD 400 per week, while PBSAs range from AUD 350 to AUD 600 per week. You can get shared private rentals for AUD 200 - AUD 350 per week. Finally, the Homestays charge you around AUD 250 - AUD 350 per week.

There are also different charges that add up to the rent. It includes utility bills like electricity, gas, water and Wi-fi. There are also food, groceries, travel, security deposit and stationery. So, based on these expenses, prepare a budget and try to stick to it.

Check Out the Location

Thirdly, you must check out the location of the student accommodation in Gold Coast. It must be close to your college campus, well-connected for travel and in the centre of the city. The neighbourhood must be safe with a low crime rate and well-lit streets. Check for cafes, shops and supermarkets in the locality. You must ensure there are security cameras, card access and patrolling in the location. Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Robina, and Varsity Lakes are the top choices of students. Thus, you can find a high student population in these areas.

Furnished and Unfurnished Options

Fourthly, there is another major choice you need to make while choosing a place to stay. It is about the furnished and unfurnished options. The furnished option has a bed, mattress, desk, chair and kitchen basics like fridge, microwave and stovetop. If you also have a living room, it might include a sofa and a table as well. On the other hand, if you opt for unfurnished rooms, they are cheaper in rent, but you need to pay for the furniture. These are better if you are planning for the long term, as you can personalise them as per your taste.

Check Amenities

Fifthly, it is not just the house you stay in that matters, right? So, it's crucial to check for the amenities before you move into any student accommodation in Gold Coast. So, here are a few things you must ensure are available at your place, such as Wi-fi, study spaces, laundry facilities, transport access and social spaces. These are important as you cannot always rely on outside services for these needs, as it can get expensive. Moreover, it would take more time and energy to get these done from anywhere else.

Lease Agreements

Sixthly, you must check the lease agreements carefully before signing anything. Make sure to check the bond for the deposit amount. It must usually be 4 weeks' rent. Next, check the notice period, inclusions and duration of the tenure. Make sure to have a written tenancy agreement and do not accept any verbal deals without any written proof.

Keep an Eye on Red Flags

Seventhly, when looking for student accommodation in Gold Coast, you must watch out for the red flags. It can save you from trouble in the later stages. It means you shouldn't pay deposits before visiting the site. You must avoid deals that are way too cheap compared to market prices, and pay only in bank transfers and avoid cash. Moreover, you must ensure to only rely on trusted sources.

Thus, this is a checklist of things to note when looking for the best student accommodation in Gold Coast. However, if you need any professional help with it, you can reach out to experts online.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Gold Coast in Australia is like a Golden ticket for students. It has top colleges, beautiful places and great opportunities. Global students want to experience it and thus choose to study at any of the best colleges here. Thus, they moved to the Gold Coast looking for a good student accommodation in Australia. This article includes a complete checklist for international students on finding the best place to stay in Australia. It includes the types, areas, red flags and more. However, if you want to skip the struggle, you can just count on experts for help. They can help you find the perfect place while you handle the rest of the process.