Hacker News Reader

Comment by gizajob | Hacker News Reader

Currently in Melbourne Australia having been dropped right in it by a friend who said I could rent their place while they're on holiday and then they changed their mind last minute yesterday, leaving me suddenly homeless on Christmas Eve. Currently in a park on Christmas day a three hour train ride away, because I had nothing else to do and rides are free today. Thanks for your post, it really cheered me up on a Christmas Day unexpectedly spent totally on my own, half a world away from family. Peace

View on HN

I have been homeless in Melbourne too. Rent market there is a bitch to get into. I had usd30k in my Account, but no home as no one wanted to rent out to a single young male.

University was no help either. Got Lucky and met some hosts at a party.

Wait why don't they want to rent out to single young male?

Just totally curious.

Party house. Or at least that's the theory.

Yes this. And or that they do not feel co.fortable having another man in the house (for when it is a Studio rental in a larger house or when it is an established shared flat.

Out of curiosity, why were the reluctant to rent to a single young male? Is there an Australian stigma against renting to that demographic?

From my experience in Melbourne and in the major EU cities, the primary reasons for this I learned from landlords are:

- They prefer tenants willing to lease for longer time-frames, single young males are very likely to relocate rather quick.

- Single young males are less likely to take good care of the apartment.

- A working couple has a better financial stability.

Hmm, that makes sense. Unfortunate though.

In the US there are supposed to be equal opportunity housing and landlords aren't supposed to discriminate like that, but of course it's hard to prove or enforce and many do anyway...

Yeah, familiar with this phenomenon.

I'm curious about the party story

Went to a houseparty with classmates from my MBA. Somebody kthere was going home and leaving Australia after graduation. So his room was available. Little sis I know that the appartment housed two gorgeous Colombian girls whom I had an absolute ball with the coming year.

The situation went from shitty to really good.

I don't think I could replicate that again.

Please promise you have a place to stay. Happy to put you up somewhere if it will help. You have my email. :)

I'll be cool thanks for your offer. I slept on the couches in a lobby of a swish hotel last night then got on a train at 7am. Hotels here are super expensive so I'm just going to wing it until I can get a room share next week or try and reschedule my flight out of here without it costing a small fortune.

Please don't let cost be a barrier. I'd much rather know you have a place to stay. There are plenty of resources here to make sure you're not on the streets on an ostensble vacation. You have my contact info. Be safe!

Thank you cool dude. What's funny is that this trip was a treat to myself because I came in to some money this year, but I've been poor my whole adult life and now spending it frivolously even for a room for the night almost causes me visceral pain. Thanks for your support and offer to help. "it'll be right" as they say out here in Oz.

For what's worth, I simpatise with the "spending any money causes me visceral pain" feeling, even though I've been earning a comfortable amount for some years now.

I'm from Melbourne - Forget hotels, you can stay in a great hostel for USD$39 (AU$59) a night here, which is very affordable, and an amazing way to meet people. Don't be afraid of dorms, I've literally had the best times of my life backpacking the world and staying in dorms. Here's a hostel in St Kilda I'd recommend that's $39USD/$59AUD a night for a 10 bed dorm (which isn't too big, avoid huge dorms >18 people) https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/hosteldetails.php/Nomads-For...

You will get more than accommodation. You will be welcomed in to a group of young travelers from all over the world who are looking to seize the day.

I really really hate hostels to be honest. I actually lived in Melbs for a couple of years in the past and have an Aussie ex wife too. I used to live in Middle Park (of all places) and so going and staying in a dorm in St Kilda just isn't my idea of a fun time right now. Can appreciate I'm in a bit of a strange place but I'm in some kind of middle ground between tourist and resident, and the days of entertaining ideas of dorms are well behind me.

Edit: but that said, thanks for the tip. I realise I'm being diva-ish so I'll give it some thought. Would likely have a good time there. Just still sad at being stiched up for someone's kicks at Christmas.

That's fair. Sounds like your friend really hung you out to dry. Sorry to read about your experience these holidays, and hope you find a way to turn it around. Merry Christmas!

I would second this - I've had some incredible times in such places. I've put up a few other people in hostels tonight and expect a few more might take me up on the offer before end of day tomorrow. I understand not wanting to be a drain on resources, but it is very cheap and I'd feel much better knowing you've got a roof over your head.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com