What are the different parts of Sydney like?

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aviatenavigatecommunicate

Ok if you want my honest opinion about living near a beach I'll give it to you.

Bondi, despite being Sydney's, and Australia's most famous beach is horrendously overrated (and I'm saying this to you as an Australian who has lived here all my life). It is so crowded with tourists that you can barely move, and because it's the closest surf beach to the CBD (Central Business District) it's the first beach everyone goes to who wouldn't normally go to the beach - sometimes ending up in instances of antisocial behaviour. Also, it's really not that pretty in the first place. It does have some okay cafes, but most of the buildings are run down.

Coogee is much nicer, just as easy to get to, yet with fewer crowds, and is much more scenic. Less hectic. Any beach futher south of than can be just as nice as Coogee but is less accessable because they're further away from the city.

The trouble is the beaches south of the harbour (of which Bondi is one) are in the Eastern Suburbs which is one of the most expensive areas of Sydney. The further south that you go, the less expensive then get but you also get the longer travelling times.

The Northern Beaches (Manly, Freshwater, Dee Why etc.) are generally much nicer. Manly has a bit of a cosmopolitan feel to it, a little bit bohemian mixed with surf culture. Again it is fairly crowded (not as crowded as Bondi) because it is the closest of the Northern Beaches. The Northern Beaches are a bit more relaxed and easy going, but unfortunately, they are further away than the beaches on the south side of the harbour...

Adding to that, the public transport services to the Northern Beaches is terrible, though it's improved in recent years.

In all honesty I think it'd be much less hassle to stay in a student-ish area of Sydney to keep it nice and affordable. Areas such as Glebe, Ultimo, Paddington (a little on the expensive side), Newtown etc. are all close to the CBD without actually being in the city, are nice, trendy and safe and well served by public transport, close to many places where you can get a job, entertainment and restaurants.

That way you can go to the beaches whenever you want, you have a wide variety of beaches to choose from, yet you are close to transport and all the things you could ever want to do in Sydney.

darrenls66

Personally I'd choose to live in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Bondi and Coogee are full of reasonably priced rental opportunities. The down side is that many British travellers get caught up in their scene as there are thousands of them, many of whom never venture out to meet anyone other than their fellow countrymen. Both suburbs have great facilities, nightlife etc and have excellent public transport to the city. My second option would be the inner western suburbs of Glebe, which has a nice and a gritty side, Balmain or Rozelle, which are the closest thing, other than Paddington (which is a little less affordable) to inner city British suburbs. Some of the other suggestions you've been given such as Dee Why are nice but quite a distance from the city. Liverpool has probably never seen a tourist, Parramatta is fine but not really the place for travellers.

Blade

Hi,
If you can give more information as to what you like. Are you the outdoors type? do you want to live near a beach? live near night life? and so on.

Also let us know what you can afford per week in rent.

That will help us answer your question with more details.

lucy

Parramatta etc etc are awful plse don't go there I've been hundreds of times and noone in their right mind would send a tourist there.Though if you want to see "real sydney" plse take a day trip out there just don't stay there.

The best place would be Bondi - I reccomend you and your friend to rent a studio [much cheaper] somewhere around Bondi Beach for 250AU or so a week.The area is the mecca for travellers hundreds of boards for accom,help,jobs everything,its really geared towards travellers - short term and long term and has a young vibe,it's always packed,markets and plenty of things to do.

I think you'll have a hard time getting a lease anywhere else.

Try domain.com.au or realestate.com.au too.

Ella E

You can definitely find a lovely 2 brm Terrace in Blamain/Rozelle/Lillyfield for a good price ($300+pw) and it is only 5 mins from the city. Great shopping and Cafe/Pub scene in Balmain. You will pay in the City $600+ .
Also, I live in Gladesville which is in Ryde (about 10 mins from the centre of the city) and they have fantastic apartments here for a bargain. It is also close to catch the ferry to the city!
If you are wanting to Beach it up, you may want to check out the Northern Beaches? Manly, Harbord, Collaroy and Dee Why are Beautiful. You may be more inclined to live here if you had a car though as it is a bit further out, but definitely worth it (kicks *** over Bondi!).

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your time in Australia!

gutterflower7s

It really depends on what you like... I used to live in Pyrmont, 5 minutes from Darling Harbour, very nice and quiet area close to the city and with decent transportation.
Glebe is also nice, full of cafes on Glebe Point Rd, but can be a little more expensive.
Same goes for Newtown, though it's a little further west from the CBD (yet, really close, a 5-10 min bus ride).
Probably your best bet would be Surry Hills, next to Central Station, nice area with heaps of bars and cafes and cheaper apartments.
Or you have all the beach options... Bondi, Coogee, Clovelly...

old dick withers

come on over and find out.

SugarM

Depends where you wana live? In the city, near the city or the suburbs. The city will be too expensive for you. Around the city will be hectic and apartments arn't cheap.
I think you should live Parramatta? Liverpool? Epping? Ryde? These areas are updated with nice apartments... plus there all next to shopping centres :)

Jakey.

The Northern Beaches are great! There's huge shopping centres, beaches, cafes and it's very close to the city

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