Moving to Sydney

[Verno]

There comes a time in every Tasmanian's life where they realise - I have to get the hell off this Island!

I've spent the past 3 years at Uni. I completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts, majoring in Theatre, and as worthless as the piece of paper is anywhere in Australia, it's doubly as useless in Tasmania, which has nothing but amateur Theatre companies and no film or television industry to speak of.

So in order to continue to chase the dream of stardom, a move has to be made.

But I need some advice from the lovely people of NSW who I will soon be calling 'neighbour'.

I'm hoping to be located, if not in Sydney itself, then in one of the suburbs that closely ring the city. But which one? There are seemingly hundreds of them.

I need your advice as to which suburb would a good place to be in regards to ease of transport and the like.

Any advice on anything in regards to the place would be more than helpful. So go nuts. Tell me all about the place I'll soon call home.

[1AZRAEL1]

Well, look forward to meeting you in person at some stage

I live in Werrington, a bit less than an hour train trip out of Sydney. Some people say that Western Sydney is bad blah blah blah, but it depends on where. Where I live, it's not bad, haven't had any issues yet living here for 3 years. Most rental prices are fairly cheaper out this way too. Closer to the city you get, the pricier, and sometimes smaller, the places get. Public transport isn't that bad really.

[UltraMarginal]

Well, look forward to meeting you in person at some stage

I live in Werrington, a bit less than an hour train trip out of Sydney. Some people say that Western Sydney is bad blah blah blah, but it depends on where. Where I live, it's not bad, haven't had any issues yet living here for 3 years. Most rental prices are fairly cheaper out this way too. Closer to the city you get, the pricier, and sometimes smaller, the places get. Public transport isn't that bad really.

Anyone would think you had shares in cityrail

Verno, I have to do a bit of collating of thoughts to properly answer your question.

what are you looking for in a place to live? near a beach, do you prefer busses or trains. how long do you want to be travelling when you travel.
How much "Character" are you looking for? do you want to live in an apartment, house or townhouse. will you have a car?

Do you prefer to be near pubs or clubs?
anything else you consider important in your choice of abode/suburb?

[1AZRAEL1]

Anyone would think you had shares in cityrail

No shares, just a really good job

[tron07]

which surburb? how about CBD??

[i_amtrunks]

To give you better suggestions, could you provide more info Verno?

Stuff like what you rate as most important in terms of facilities, shops, housing preferences, even things like restaurants, access to parks, beaches, bus vs. train etc.
Since I'm guessing that you'd like to be involved in something theatre-centric, the best bet would be the inner west or even just south of the CBD, but really you can get to both areas from anywhere as long as you have the patience.

Generally the closer to Sydney, the more you pay, and Sydney gets crazy stupid expensive really quickly. Closer to the city in any direction generally means older townhouses or apartments. However to get larger places means a big rise in travel times and costs.

Don't mean to sound negative about Sydney, but it has terrible public transport for a city of it's size and importance, an ineffective and extensive road network and unaffordable housing market or renters and buyers alike.

Without more information I can't be too specific, but generally you'll be wanting to avoid the northern part of Sydney (North Sydney, Northern Beaches) as they are expensive and not easy to get around with public transport as other areas.
I think the areas you'll find more appealing due to work and travel factors are quite busy due to their closeness to both the CBD and the big universities, but we'll help out as best we can.

[Verno]

Crickey, ok. I hadn't given it too much thought, but obviously the details are important.

Well, my girlfriend will probably get a transfer from the Coles she works at down here to whichever is the closest to where we end up living, which I'm assuming would be in the suburbs, as a Coles wouldn't be in the middle of the city. I could be wrong there though.

I'd live in any kind of place. At this stage it could be just myself and the GF, or a group of 5 of us looking for a place. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom kind of thing.

No longer than a 30 minute commute into the city would be preferable I guess. I won't be bringing the car up so it'll be trains and such for getting around.

Is that enough to go on?

A list of where NOT to live is as good as one of where to.

[Decepticon]

I hear Kings Cross is full of 'life'. But might be too much for a little 'Tasmanian' to handle.

Just kidding. I hope it all works out well for you Verno.

[crankcase76]

Crickey, ok. I hadn't given it too much thought, but obviously the details are important.

Well, my girlfriend will probably get a transfer from the Coles she works at down here to whichever is the closest to where we end up living, which I'm assuming would be in the suburbs, as a Coles wouldn't be in the middle of the city. I could be wrong there though.

I'd live in any kind of place. At this stage it could be just myself and the GF, or a group of 5 of us looking for a place. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom kind of thing.

No longer than a 30 minute commute into the city would be preferable I guess. I won't be bringing the car up so it'll be trains and such for getting around.

Is that enough to go on?

A list of where NOT to live is as good as one of where to.

if you are looking at the CBD it is hard to find a 3-4 bedroom place, but they do exist you just have to keep checking the Real-estates. but there is alot of 1-2 bedroom units but they do come at a higher rental price. just depends on how much a week you can afford.And don't forget that the closer to the CBD the higher the Rental prices.

if you are looking at 1-2 bedroom units or 3-4 bedrooms and a yard, from your description Verno you are looking at a place around Parramatta,Ryde, to the west of Sydney, about half an hour by train. I think.( ask 1Azrael1 about that not to sure, but would be close i think.) Rental prices are fairly cheaper than the CBD but you do have the commute. like me and 1Azrael1 we live in the Penrith suburb and i pay about $250 a week for a 3 bedroom house in a complex, but the down side is that we are 1 hr from CBD.

if you were going to go North and have the same 1-2 bedroom units, 3-4 bedrooms with a yard you are looking at places like Chatswood,Epping, they would be similar in prices to, i think. but they would have to be about 1/2 hr from the CBD. not to sure.(again speak with 1Azrael1 he is our resident expert on this matter as he works for Cityrail.)

if you were to go South and find 1-2 bedroom units or 3-4 bedroom houses places like Bankstown, Hurstville.( would be your best bet i think, these would have fairly cheap rentals as well.Maybe Hursty can help you out there.)

if you have the money and want just 1-2 bedrooms to the North east and South east then places like Manly, Bondi, are the place, but be prepared for ridiculous rental prices. I work in the South east (Bondi area) of the CBD and a mate from work rents a 1 bedroom apartment for $600 a week.( but it is right next to the beach. would have to say that would be expected in the North east (Manly) area as well but not sure on that one.)

As for your GF finding a place to work there are Coles supermarkets pretty much every where in Sydney. there is not a suburb that would not have one.

Pretty much comes to this affordability, travel, moderate temperatures and lifestyle. you have to ask your self these questions. plus get on to the real estates up here and tell them what you are looking for. But don't forget to keep those things in mind.

i would love to give you a rundown on areas not to go, but i think you make what the area you live in your own perception of what it is. Plus i don't think any of our members in the areas i would list would agree.

hope that this helps a little bit and hope you find something soon.

[GoktimusPrime]

i_amtrunks is right - Sydney's public transport and road networks are complete rubbish compared to other capital cities. The problem is that our roads were built over old animal trails instead of just building grid roads over it like they did in Melbourne and Adelaide^designed by a lobotomised retarded monkey in a straitjacket with a crayon shoved up its nostril, tied to a spinning record player which in turn was strapped to the back of a drunk running cheetah with diminished vision in its left eye.

Check out Sydney's rail networks and try to live in (or near) a suburb that has a train station and is on the same line as where you're going/intending to work so you don't need to change lines. If you're not sure where you'll be working, you might want to stay near one of the "hubs" such as Central or Strathfield - the latter being cheaper, but still rather expensive compared to other suburbs. But you might be able to live in a nearby suburb like Burwood or something. Anyway...
CityRail

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