martin1978

Bankstown, Hurstville and Liverpool usually. Although its mostly all gang related stuff. You are more likely to be targeted in a random attack in Kings Cross given recent events.

There's really nothing wrong with Parramatta as a short term base. Transport links are excellent! Like any city, you need to be careful where you wander off to at night but Himself works there and he goes out drinking on a Friday after work a couple of times a month, never had any problems.

I will second this statement as it really isn't that bad. It has a very European feel with all the roadside cafe's and restaurants etc. The only people I usually here slagging it have never lived there.

carolinephillips

We stayed in Manly for a month which was lovely, if a bit noisy. OH commuted to work by ferry!

saveme

Check out www.domain.com.au & look for furnished accommodation. I was just thinking tonight as I walked around the city between Central and Town Hall, how I stayed in a furnished flat at the bottom of Oxford St for a few months in 1987. Perfect location, walking distance to the CBD and stations, bus outside the door.

paddyo

I think 'short term' is the key word here. I understand what Martin says, well on here anyway as its a written word but face to face his accent confuses me

My brief sojuorns to Parra show it to me as a southern european/middle eastern demographic, long ferry journey to CBD and aspirations to be Sydneys next big thing.....I doubt those aspirations will be fulfilled. As for drinks on a Friday night, I'll be moving there with work next year and I honestly dread the thought.

Dreamy

I doubt anyone other than tourists take the ferry to the CBD!

I'm sure you'll find it's not half as bad as you're dreading.

Zen10

I used to live in a pretty rough part of London so I know exactly what you mean about it being fine so long as you keep your wits about you.

saveme

Parramatta is OK, always been a major centre in Sydney, founded in 1788 I see. Less than half an hour from Central on the Blue Mts train _always seem to be new office and appartment blocks going up as I go thru it on the way from Central to Penrith. With a Westfield shopping centre right opposite the station and plenty of restaurants, even a theatre if you are that way inclined. There are worst places to consider living in Sydney.

paddyo

No, I used to take the ferry there and then get a taxi back (this is when I was living in Manly which was a pain when travelling on Public Transport to that part of the world).
I have actually been there a few times and gone out there on two evenings, I honestly did not rate it but then again maybe people who know the decent places to go would think differently.
All I would say is that I genuinely do not think that soemone's first impression of Sydney would ideally be Parramatta.