Any feedback on this area? Don't want a repeat of the North Ryde thread but I cannot find ANYTHING about this area..or Rozelle...

PP

Nice place if you're near the waterside (Hen and Chicken Bay), but the areas around Paramatta Rd are semi-industrial and have heavy traffic. There are elements of the Italian influence from Haberfield too. The only reason we go there is to take the kids to the skateboard park and the Zone Three amusements for birthday parties!

Thanks for that, wherabouts do you live, I noticed you live in the Inner west...where do you rec?

We're in Strathfield but I wouldn't recommend it unless you can afford one of the old mansions along the Boulevard or you are partial to Korean hotpot. We only settled on here because it was the nearest place to the city where we could afford to buy [and it has amazingly good public transport]. Would recommend Balmain and Drummoyne, and I personally like Newtown and Glebe because I'm into cafes, eating places and bookshops, but they're not everyone's cup of tea because they're a bit studenty and grungy.

I am told by a few it is nice and has a community. Lots of Italians in the area and the good food they bring with them. Public transport is an issue there and going by road is not much better. Not sure about schools but Strathfield has some famous private schools.

Good luck in your search as finding Sydney accommodation is a nightmare for those of us that live here.

Why is it so difficult?

Hey plantpot are you packed yet?

Since we started chatting, rental accom seems to have become even more scarce. We're thinking of a move at the end of our lease (April) to try a new area - with a view to buying in the medium-term - so I've been keeping an eye on domain and it's looking pretty grim.

All you can really do is wait 'til you get here and see what's available right there and then.

Massive shortage of rented accomodation as owners seek to offload second properties due to the crunch, soaring rents as landlords cash-in on that shortage, rental agreements often turn into auctions as desperate prospective renters offer above the requested rental cost ... and no end in sight as the credit crunch carries on.

We're all doomed.

Because public transport and infrastructure is so patchy, probably due to the incompetent state government we have. If a developer wants to build something inappropriate, a donation to state labour gets them what they want. Building standards are not enforced as developers self certify. We now have an overload of 2 bedroom apartments, badly built townhouses and utter sh!te buildings made of asbestos.

Anyone notice Joe Tripodi got handed planning? Its like putting Ronnie Biggs in charge of a bank.

I am half tempted to request an interstate move from work. Next some people will come on and say move to Mt Druitt or the Hills as there is cheap property out there. I would rather live in Milton Keynes. IMO QOL is far better in the UK that Outer Sydney but that is something each person values differently.

Please don't put Mt Druitt in the same boat as the Hills District! The Hills is actually made up of a huge area, quite diverse, which encompasses some 20 odd suburbs- see here for clarification

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hills_District_(Sydney)

It's also not "cheap" compared to Mt Druitt. For example, current median house price in Castle Hill (heart of the Hills) is $710K compared to $310K for Mt Druitt.

Wow......so where do you suggest if I have no choice but to live in Sydney?

Jacque, I'm sure you realize by now some people come on here, having lived in Sydney for "five minutes" and give advice that is not exactly accurate.

Mount Druitt has better transport and IMO better chances of holding its real estate value. A lot of desperate sellers in the hills holding on to last years prices. I think the flanno count in Mt Druitt would be higher.

I will be renting though, not buying, any tips on the rental market?