Northern Suburbs - input needed
Apr 16th 2007, 5:57 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Northern Suburbs - input needed
Hi Guys -
In my previous thread, you came up with some great feedback on Balmain as well as the Eastern Suburbs.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...sydney+suburbs
A friend was trying to sell me on the Northern Suburbs today. I would value input on what she wrote. Again, I'm mid-30s, American, single hetero, and will be making a quality "Yuppie" living in Sydney (working in Milson's Point). I've been living in the 'burbs here in San Diego (lots of young families), so I've been hoping to get a little more urban (think Manhattan SoHo / Tribeca) in Sydney.
Any thoughts? Here's what she said:
----------------------------------------
If you work in North Sydney go live in Kirribilli (but mind that your
apartment doesn't face due south unless you don't mind freezing your butt
off), Lavender Bay, Waverton, Milson's Point, St Leonard's, Crows Nest,
Neutral Bay - all very close to CBD and eastern suburbs and your work.
I am looking at living in Crows Nest myself, to give you an idea of how much
I like that area.
It's very easy access to public transport, lots of cafes restaurants, bars
etc, and an easy drive into the city if need be. I have had it with long commutes and it's quicker for me to drive to Paddo, etc from Crows Nest to go out than from Clovelly. Everyone who lives in the eastern burbs calls over the bridge the Dark Side - but there is Life there, (albeit Alien life), I am told. I imagine that everyone who works in N Syd would prefer living on that side of the bridge.
For me its an easy choice, it takes ten minutes for me to drive to Potts
Point / Surry Hills / Paddington from Crows Nest, the commute to work is
easy peasy, and there are tons of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes at walking
distance in the area I aim to live in.
It's hard to say what your priorities are. You may find that the people you
meet all live on the Lower North Shore and all go out to bars etc there
instead of in the eastern suburbs.
Why you would live in Balmain if you want to be in the "thick of things"
would be a mystery to me.
___________________________________
In my previous thread, you came up with some great feedback on Balmain as well as the Eastern Suburbs.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...sydney+suburbs
A friend was trying to sell me on the Northern Suburbs today. I would value input on what she wrote. Again, I'm mid-30s, American, single hetero, and will be making a quality "Yuppie" living in Sydney (working in Milson's Point). I've been living in the 'burbs here in San Diego (lots of young families), so I've been hoping to get a little more urban (think Manhattan SoHo / Tribeca) in Sydney.
Any thoughts? Here's what she said:
----------------------------------------
If you work in North Sydney go live in Kirribilli (but mind that your
apartment doesn't face due south unless you don't mind freezing your butt
off), Lavender Bay, Waverton, Milson's Point, St Leonard's, Crows Nest,
Neutral Bay - all very close to CBD and eastern suburbs and your work.
I am looking at living in Crows Nest myself, to give you an idea of how much
I like that area.
It's very easy access to public transport, lots of cafes restaurants, bars
etc, and an easy drive into the city if need be. I have had it with long commutes and it's quicker for me to drive to Paddo, etc from Crows Nest to go out than from Clovelly. Everyone who lives in the eastern burbs calls over the bridge the Dark Side - but there is Life there, (albeit Alien life), I am told. I imagine that everyone who works in N Syd would prefer living on that side of the bridge.
For me its an easy choice, it takes ten minutes for me to drive to Potts
Point / Surry Hills / Paddington from Crows Nest, the commute to work is
easy peasy, and there are tons of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes at walking
distance in the area I aim to live in.
It's hard to say what your priorities are. You may find that the people you
meet all live on the Lower North Shore and all go out to bars etc there
instead of in the eastern suburbs.
Why you would live in Balmain if you want to be in the "thick of things"
would be a mystery to me.
___________________________________
Apr 16th 2007, 7:22 am
#2
Suncream, I need suncream
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,316
Re: Northern Suburbs - input needed
Maybe you need to get a month holiday let sorted for when you arrive and spend a week or two having a good look around for yourself before you make the decision.
Graham
(PS Balmian rocks LOL
)
Apr 16th 2007, 7:46 am
#3
Cup of tea, Father?
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Underground, overground, wombling free
Posts: 6,895
Re: Northern Suburbs - input needed
Have a look on the City of Sydney website to start getting ideas about different places - if you think that will help.
I agree with Graham - nobody can really tell you definitively what a place is like as it's too personal and subjective. Best to wait until you're here and then spend some time on the ground exploring.
Personally, I wouldn't live in North Sydney or Crows Nest if you paid me (I think they're boring, soulless places). And I find Paddington and the like pretentious. But horses for courses. If you're the right kind of person for that area, you'll love it - but nobody can tell you that.
I agree with Graham - nobody can really tell you definitively what a place is like as it's too personal and subjective. Best to wait until you're here and then spend some time on the ground exploring.
Personally, I wouldn't live in North Sydney or Crows Nest if you paid me (I think they're boring, soulless places). And I find Paddington and the like pretentious. But horses for courses. If you're the right kind of person for that area, you'll love it - but nobody can tell you that.
Apr 17th 2007, 3:13 am
#4
Mozzie magnet
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Brisbane 'burbs
Posts: 1,690
Re: Northern Suburbs - input needed
If I was single, earning a good salary and wanted to live somewhere with a bit of life and action, I wouldn't live in the lower north shore suburbs.
However, I'm getting older, I want to live somewhere that has a bit of green space and isn't too far from a couple of shops, restaurants (but nothing too late, thanks, I need my beauty sleep), and I want a house with a bit of space, so we're looking over at the northern suburbs.
Frankly, my situation sounds nothing like yours. But I'm biased - if I could get the same (green space, big house, a bit quiet but not too suburban) in the eastern suburbs or the Balmain pensinsula on our budget, I wouldn't even be considering a move north.
However, I'm getting older, I want to live somewhere that has a bit of green space and isn't too far from a couple of shops, restaurants (but nothing too late, thanks, I need my beauty sleep), and I want a house with a bit of space, so we're looking over at the northern suburbs.
Frankly, my situation sounds nothing like yours. But I'm biased - if I could get the same (green space, big house, a bit quiet but not too suburban) in the eastern suburbs or the Balmain pensinsula on our budget, I wouldn't even be considering a move north.
Apr 17th 2007, 6:39 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 372
Re: Northern Suburbs - input needed
Crows Nest is a very lively and "happening" place- lots of great restaurants (so good I travel to eat all the way from the Hills 
) and has a really nice atmosphere. There's a great park at the end of Atchison St (St Thomas park) which has a real community feel, and always has locals dog walking, kids playing and people generally enjoying the green space.
It's also very close the city, as well as the St Leonards train station, in case you prefer to catch a quick train in. We bought for a client in this popular area recently and she wouldn't live anywhere else. Single, bit of a night owl and very social, and she thought it was a top place to live. She also worked in the CBD and said it took 10mins max to get to work by car.
I ultimately prefer the northside (biased, I know) as it has so much to offer, including a wonderful variety of interesting housing and proximity to both green spaces (further up north shore) and the northern side beaches.
) and has a really nice atmosphere. There's a great park at the end of Atchison St (St Thomas park) which has a real community feel, and always has locals dog walking, kids playing and people generally enjoying the green space. It's also very close the city, as well as the St Leonards train station, in case you prefer to catch a quick train in. We bought for a client in this popular area recently and she wouldn't live anywhere else. Single, bit of a night owl and very social, and she thought it was a top place to live. She also worked in the CBD and said it took 10mins max to get to work by car.
I ultimately prefer the northside (biased, I know) as it has so much to offer, including a wonderful variety of interesting housing and proximity to both green spaces (further up north shore) and the northern side beaches.
Apr 17th 2007, 6:48 am
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Re: Northern Suburbs - input needed
Crows Nest is a very lively and "happening" place- lots of great restaurants (so good I travel to eat all the way from the Hills ) and has a really nice atmosphere. There's a great park at the end of Atchison St (St Thomas park) which has a real community feel, and always has locals dog walking, kids playing and people generally enjoying the green space.
It's also very close the city, as well as the St Leonards train station, in case you prefer to catch a quick train in. We bought for a client in this popular area recently and she wouldn't live anywhere else. Single, bit of a night owl and very social, and she thought it was a top place to live. She also worked in the CBD and said it took 10mins max to get to work by car.
I ultimately prefer the northside (biased, I know) as it has so much to offer, including a wonderful variety of interesting housing and proximity to both green spaces (further up north shore) and the northern side beaches.
) and has a really nice atmosphere. There's a great park at the end of Atchison St (St Thomas park) which has a real community feel, and always has locals dog walking, kids playing and people generally enjoying the green space. It's also very close the city, as well as the St Leonards train station, in case you prefer to catch a quick train in. We bought for a client in this popular area recently and she wouldn't live anywhere else. Single, bit of a night owl and very social, and she thought it was a top place to live. She also worked in the CBD and said it took 10mins max to get to work by car.
I ultimately prefer the northside (biased, I know) as it has so much to offer, including a wonderful variety of interesting housing and proximity to both green spaces (further up north shore) and the northern side beaches.
Sounds like I may have to check out Crows Nest at the least. Man, I wish this were easier LOL. -Mr. California
