seayork2002

Lane Cove and Epping are good areas. Lane Cove does not have a train station but Epping does. Both have good transport links. I will read posts properly and will try and post in more detail tomorrow. I have lived in Sydney for nearly 30 years, well I live in the UK at the moment.

Swiss Kiwi Brit

Seems like relocating to Sydney at this time is popular. We're arriving in Feb, staying in a serviced apartment in the CBD for a month and then on the hunt for places. We've got two pre-schoolers and are looking in the Eastern Suburbs. Ideally to buy, but you don't get much for your money! What are the areas like Clovelly, Randwick, Kensington like?

NickyC

Clovelly is lovely. Great little suburb, beach fantastic for small kids and an excellent state primary school.

Randwick is a bit busier (and cheaper) but still a good area. Big hospital and Uni nearby. Handy for the beach and the city.

Kensington is a bit further away from the coast still. Many large federation houses there but the shopping's not up to much. Avoid anywhere near Anzac Parade (busy road).

All three are fine as places to live.

Mick in Sydney

I would go for Drummoyne/inner west over Panania etc anyday. Yes you get a bigger house but who would want to live out there? What's the point of relocating 12,000 miles to live in a dismal suburb where the only entertainment is watching the hoons doing their street racing [or hanging out with the wrinklies feeding coins into the pokies at the local RSL]?
We have two kids and we have chosen to stay closer in to the city in a smaller house rather than move out to a bigger place with nothing happening. We can get into the city in 15 minutes and enjoy all the sights of the harbour as well as the shopping. I work in Chatswood and it's OK but a bit dull/commercial [think Arndale Centre]. St Leonards or Crows Nest would be a better bet, or anywhere else along the North Shore line past Chatswood.

augigi

Another recommendation for Chatswood/Willoughby/Crow's Nest.

It's just a great area - good transport, close to the city, lots of multiculturalism, cafes, shopping, parks. Should get a decent place for your budget. Super close to the city on the bus or train. Great bike path along the freeway. Walking tracks all around.

Just a thousand percent better areas than Bankstown, Padstow etc!!

chris rose

hi all, Will hopefully be arriving in Sydney in March/April. I have been looking at Kellyville, Cherrybrook, Castle Hill and surrounding areas. I understand these are areas favoured by quite a few brits?
These areas seem to be in my budget of $550k - $600k. Does anyone have any coments on these areas - good or bad!

Thanks
Chris

RedT

Can anyone recommend somewhere in Sydney for me and my OH? He’ll most likely be working in the CBD and me in the centre somewhere, we don’t mind a reasonable commute (i.e.) about 30 minutes but don’t want to be too far out of Sydney or at least a large centre where we can shop, cinema, eat etc.

We’re in our 30’s, like a bit of peace but not ready for the graveyard quite yet! We have no kids, not planning on having anywhere and don’t fancy anywhere that’s too family heavy. Preferably near the sea, house or apartment we’re not really bothered for the moment and we’d have a budget to buy of around $600k.

I realise that’s quite specific but I'm hoping someone will read and go ‘hey, that sounds like where I live’ HAHA!

Thanks all,

Thérèse

vsuman

Hi Chris,

We lived in Sydney from Jan 2001 to Jan 2005 and lived in Glenwood which is very close to the areas you mention. When we were looking for houses, we were looking at the three areas you mention too and they are all beautiful areas and good for families. We are hoping to move back to Sydney later on this year and will be looking at Castle Hill/Kellyville/Cherrybrook/Baulkham Hills.

Your budget should buy you a nice 4 bed house with big living areas. We sold our house in Glenwood in 2005 for $585,000 and it was a very big 4 bed house. I have recently spoken to the agent who sold it and he said that house prices are relatively stable at the moment and that I could probably pick up the same house that I sold in Jan 2005 for the same price now!

Hope that helps.

Vanita

chris rose

hi vanita,

Thanks for your info - good to hear!

all the best, chris

paddyo

Pubs......that word always gets my attention!!! lol

paddyo

Every day we have a look we adopt a different perspective!! Now my wife is keen on beachside living and likes the look of Coogee to the south east and Collaroy to the North East. Both seem nice suburbs and have decent transport links to the centre, especially Coogee. I give up!! I am gonna stop looking at the estate agents sites cos every time I see a great place I realise that in 2 months time when we get over there the whole availability will be different!
I still like the North Shore areas though but have conceded to her indoors that if we are gonna enjoy it and adopt the lifestyle then maybe the beaches might not be too bad. Collaroy has some lovely 3 bed apartments within our price range but has a lot of brit expats, I really wanna go native so maybe Coogee may be the better option. No doubt the month of April will be a suburb/house hunting intensive time! As long as we don't HAVE to buy a car then I will be happy, might get a little runaround for the big shopping trips but I wanna commute using public transport...let the train/bus take the strain!!

NickyC

If you want to live near the beach and don't mind an apartment, then the eastern suburbs are for you. $600k won't buy you a house but it will get a good 2 bedroom apartment possibly quite close to the beach.

The east is within 30 minutes commute by bus (or train if you're near Bondi Junction). Shopping in Bondi Junction is fantastic - huge shopping mall. More cafes, restaurants than you can poke a stick at in the area.

Check out Bondi (some parts are quiet and residential, others are a bit noisier), Bronte, Coogee, Dover Heights, Double Bay, Rose Bay.

BadgeIsBack

Do you know, city affordability would be one of the major reaons behind me only have the 1 kid.......I reckon it might even decrease the birth rate in that demographic!

sprite_green

- sounds like lots of us hitting Sydney at similar times!

We are arriving early April, and have been looking at the Northern Beaches. We were over last year to validate, and absolutely loved Avalon. It seems perfect for the family (wife and I, kids aged 11, 10 and 7), but my query is regarding the commute.

I am assuming that I will be working in the CBD (although North Sydney is also possible). The express bus takes 1 hr 15 mins, which feels like it should be OK (my current commute is pretty similar (on a good day)), but wondered if anyone could offer any reassurance as to the reliability of these times.
Thanks in advance.

SG

PS - to the poster looking for serviced appartments in Sydney:

http://www.reefresort.com.au/
http://www.sydneylakeside.com.au/
http://www.medina.com.au/
http://www.riverview.com.au/riverview.htm
http://www.pacrimapartments.com.au/
http://www.meritonapartments.com.au/
http://www.staymint.com/
http://www.theoaksgroup.com.au/Property.aspx?sid=10

Don't know any of them, but will be looking at them in more detail over the coming weeks.

RedT

that's fantastic, many thanks Nicky! Certainly gives me a place to start looking (when I'm supposed to be working..haha!) and some areas to check out if we need to validate before we move.

all the best,

Therese