I'm currently staying with Aujoz. Here's what to expect:
Pros:
Newcastle is a good city from which to explore Australia. It’s close to Sydney and there are cheap flights to Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
The flat is literally a block from the beach. Here are some pictures:
The flat is close to the downtown area. Within walking distance (say ½ mile) there’s a supermarket, several good pubs and clubs, countless restaurants, shops, etc.
The girls are generally hot and they love Americans.
Aujoz is fun and he has tons of spare monitors.
The price is right.
Private bedroom with queen-sized bed.
Newcastle has a thriving music scene.
Winter in the northern hemisphere is summer in Australia.
Australia is currently 14hrs ahead of EST so prime poker time is from 9am to about 6.
There’s a gym several blocks away.
Drinking age is 18. This means either you’re now able to drink legally or that there are more hot girls in bars than you’re used to.
Neutral:
While Newcastle is a decently-sized city, it isn’t exactly NYC.
Aujoz is pretty (politically) conservative but he doesn’t try to impose his politics on me or anything. The subject has barely come up.
Aujoz has a 9-5 type job so he doesn’t go out much during the week. He’s also gone most weekends. This means that when you do go out, it will usually be alone, at least until you can make some friends. Fortunately aussies are friendly and will usually be excited to chat with you if you strike up a conversation. Just remember that their entire perception of the US/Americans is based on movies, MTV, and George W Bush. If you’re the stereotypical OOT poster who is clueless or anxious in unfamiliar situations, this might not be for you.
Cons:
Finding good beer (by American microbrew standards) is almost impossible.
No cable.