Hi Kaz, no no i wasn't complaining for the late reply, i understand the time difference. I can understand how irritating the traffic jams in calcutta be. i haven't been there but have heard enough about the chaotic city that it is turning out to be.
yeh i have been going thru the rental sites, infact since last 6 months, this is exactly what i am doing, after much r and d we decided for OZ. what i can see is that the rentals for a single room accommodation are not more than 200-250$, IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT a pool and other recreationals within the society/appartment complex, then the rental is not more than 350/pw.
yes, i am aware of teh bond and the advance rental. it can go upto 3 weeks to a month rental in cses wehre there r more thn one family trying to pitch for that particular accommodation. if we go very tight on our spending, the amount comes to nearly 3oooA$ including a month rental advance. so that makes it 4000 for comfortable living for a month and half to two months.

OK another thing, how much did you pay for the freight? how much is the normal for shipping good from one place to OZ, UK would be more since it is furthr away from India. since india is almost Mid way, it would be much less thn UK. but just for an idea, how much was it for you or few others?

and as for backpackers.. is it really safe, since all our belongings wil be with us. ofcourse we wudn't want to share the room, also i saw othr options, i dont remember wut it was called, but you cud rent a room and live with a family for a week or so, and then there was bed and breakfast. are these options as good?