Uni student rental guide: Sydney

Every year, thousands of students pour into Sydney looking for rental accommodation. The good news is that thousands of other students leave their rentals after completing their uni studies, so vacancies are always available. As a newcomer, however, you may not know where to look.

All the amenities you want grow organically in suburbs that cater to uni students. Your job is to hone in on the ideal areas and start your search for a rental in a desirable suburb. Here’s a cheat sheet to get you started.

Northern Suburbs: Marsfield, North Ryde, Eastwood

Macquarie University is located in Sydney’s northern suburbs. Since its founding in 1964, the student population has grown to over 34,000, creating a vibrant student culture in nearby suburbs. There are student-friendly apartments in Macquarie Park, but suburbs south-east of the campus offer the most affordable rentals. Some of these include Marsfield, North Ryde and Eastwood, with Marsfield being the closest to the campus.

Inner West: Camperdown, Ultimo, Newtown, Glebe

The University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are both located close to the CBD in Camperdown and Ultimo. Students at these universities generally live in Newtown, Glebe and Forest Lodge. There are plenty of rentals to choose from in these suburbs. A little further away, but still easily accessible, is Surry Hills although rentals tend to be more expensive.

Eastern Suburbs: Randwick, Kensington, Coogee, Bondi Junction

Established in 1949, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is located on a sprawling 38-hectare campus in Kensington, about seven kilometres south of Sydney’s CBD. Many students choose to live in on-campus residential communities, which include modern apartment complexes. Students who want to live off campus often find rentals in nearby Randwick or Bondi Junction. If you’re a beach lover, you could find a rental in Coogee, which is only a short bus ride away from the campus.

Western Suburbs: Penrith, Parramatta

The University of Western Sydney (UWS) has campuses in six locations in Sydney’s West. The UWS Penrith Campus at Kingswood is one of the main campuses that has most of the student services, lecture theatres and computer rooms. If you need a place to live in the local area choose a home in Penrith, which has a range of shops and restaurants to suit any taste. View available rentals near other UWS campuses: Bankstown, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Hawkesbury.

Student rentals run the gamut from bedrooms in private homes to five-bedroom inner-city terraces that cater exclusively to students. In some former industrial areas like Woolloomooloo, warehouses have been converted into student accommodation. Start your rental search early to find the greatest range of choices and read ‘Applying for a rental without history’ for tips on securing your first rental.