$280/week•51 year old woman
Hi There,
My name is Ceinwen. I live in the Inner West of Sydney and have lived and worked here for many years as a creative (musician, journalist, writer, social media manager, and administrator). Although I live and work in Newtown, Sydney, I am originally from Canberra and was born there.
My parents are retired DFAT public servants who will be 79 and 80 this year. They live in Hughes and Weston, respectfully. Given that none of us is getting any younger, I decided to move home to Canberra for a while (four to six months) to be closer to my folks and see if living back in Canberra would work for me.
The other significant factor is that after ten years, I separated from my de facto boyfriend about six months ago (though we still live together). Given our breakup and this stage of our lives, we both plan to move away from Sydney in 2024.
I also have two adorable senior house-trained domestic cats; we are a package deal. My rent budget is around $250-$300, but I can stretch it for an ensuite, which would be fantastic. Ideally, I would prefer to move close to the Civic within the next six to eight weeks. Still, I can be flexible with timing depending on the home's quality and the household's vibe.
I am interested in a shared house with a decent-sized self-contained one-bedroom, good heating/air conditioning, a decent backyard, and instant access to nature— a yard with trees, grass, plants, and maybe vegetables—just a wish list. I am flexible about all of the above but ideally not a flat, unless it has a garden or a courtyard.
Why am I a good flatmate? I am generally a friendly, good-natured, honest person with a big heart, good intentions, and an even bigger laugh. My best quality is my ability to make people laugh. I am told I am "funny" and bring wit and laughter to most settings, groups, friends and family.
My main passions are music, writing, and cinema (especially documentaries, true crime, and gripping drama series), and, of course, my cats, though two are enough.
My hobbies after that are reading, stand-up comedy, travelling, experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and socialising. I have travelled extensively and grew up overseas in various countries, attending school overseas and in Canberra.
My general routine on weeknights is usually enjoying alone time and decompressing in the serene surroundings of my room. This is where I work, write creatively, watch movies, and snuggle under the doona with my cats after dinner. Ideally, the house would have a clean shower and a separate clean bathtub for the occasional bath. For a larger household, two bathrooms are preferred.
I can cook, or so I'm told, though I'm not gifted or particularly obsessed. I also don't need to be best friends with my flatmates; I need goodwill, kindness, consideration, boundaries and mindful behaviour. I am considerate of those around me and value self-awareness. I also treasure personal space and ensuring everyone feels at ease in our shared space.
I am happy to share cleaning duties with my flatmates and occasional shared meals or activities, but I am also pretty autonomous. My idea of cool shared activities is a mutually agreed-upon flick with a good-quality bottle of wine, a thrilling game of Scrabble, and the odd small house party. I expect each flatmate to contribute to the common areas' cleanliness and maintenance and respect each other's privacy and personal space.
Other than that, I keep to myself mostly at home during the week. I currently work as a social media manager and enjoy my space and time alone to recharge. I don't "party" much these days or bring random people back from the pub after a drunken bender at this point in my life.
I don't enjoy that in my home environment and barely drink these days, especially at home. Socialising is kept outside my house, at a gig, movie, dinner, event, or whatever. If I bring back any people to the house, it won't be a group without permission.
I do have some pet peeves. I prefer to avoid unnecessary drama and high school-style gossiping about others, especially other residents and people lacking personal boundaries. I like a peaceful and respectful living environment.
Another no-go is right-wing politics, racism, etc. I am generally left-wing in my politics, but I have learned to keep my views to myself unless I know someone quite well. I value diversity and inclusivity.
Also, I wouldn't say I like walking on eggshells around others in my house and am opposed to people who silently sulk and stomp around the house, banging things and bringing stormy weather into the home. Passive-aggressive vibes are not my style.
Ultimately, I need my home to always be a peaceful sanctuary. Somewhere, I can be comfortable, let my hair down, and be myself whenever I'm there. If there are issues, I will endeavour to listen objectively to flatmates' gripes, views, peeves, or problems should they find fault with me.
I value my flatmates' concerns and opinions. I am always open to constructive dialogue to maintain a harmonious living environment. I expect forthright, constructive, and diplomatic communication to flow both ways. This is the best way to navigate potential conflicts in a shared household.
I plan to stay for up to six months in the short term to see how I feel about living in Canberra. If I don't find it a fit, I will move on to Melbourne in the Spring/summer. However, I am open to extending my stay if I see a comfortable and suitable living arrangement.
Furnished or unfurnished is fine at this stage, as I can either store my belongings with my parents or get a small storage unit in Canberra. I will only bring the items I need into my rental room, depending on the space size. Ideally, the room will have built-in wardrobes.
If you have made it this far and like what you hear, please message me if I fit your household. I'm looking to move in around six to eight weeks, but I can be flexible depending on the house and the price.
Kind Regards,
Ceinwen Brown
Available 10 June 2024
