Sydney Suburbs: Tips on Finding the Place You Need

If you are moving to Australia and you’ve never been there before, finding the right accommodation can be quite difficult. With so many options when it comes to Sydney suburbs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, we are here to help you find the right place for you. Here are some things you need to take into account.

Consider your situation

The first thing you should do is make a list of all the things you want. This will mostly depend on why are moving to Australia. Sydney’s suburbs and even dormitory towns all offer different opportunities and neighborhoods. Do you want a quiet area for your family? Do you need a school nearby? Do you need a place close to work? Do you mind a longer commute? How about a vibrant nightlife? High-end restaurants? How much can you afford? You should think all of these factors through before making your decision.

Prices

You might be a bit surprised when you find out that the listed price is per week, not per month. Once you get over the initial shock, you should put your budget on paper and look for available options. Take into account utilities, food, nights out, and an occasional treat for yourself as well. You do not want to be broke in a month.

Transportation

The next thing to keep in mind is how you plan on getting around. If you are a student, look for trains or buses that lead to the school. In case you’re going to Australia to work, see whether there are any routes that you can take to get to your office. If you plan on driving, check if there are any areas where the traffic is not that bad.

Location

Families

If you are looking for a place the entire family can enjoy, you can look into some of the following suburbs.

Balmain is only 6 km away from the CBD, and you can also get a ferry or bus. It also has many quality public schools and public parks. Another option is Balgowlah, which is one of the most affordable areas in the otherwise quite pricey northern part of the city. Almost 70% of families in this area have kids. If you’re looking for a neighborhood close to the beach that also offers great schools, Waverley or Cronulla might be the right choice for you.

On the other hand, you might want to escape Sydney altogether, and go for a dormitory town. These towns, also known as commuter towns, are usually made up of houses, schools and various stores. It doesn’t matter whether you want to purchase or rent a place, looking into real estate in Woy Woy might be a good choice for your family.

Students

Now, if you are a student, you also have plenty of options. Have in mind that opting for shared housing is usually cheaper than getting your own apartment.

For example, if you go to USYD, Newtown and Enmore are great options. Newtown is located just 10 minutes away and it’s pulsing with life. Enmore is a bit further away but it offers many hidden gems and foodie hotspots.

For the University of New South Wales students, Randwick is a close-by option that has a lot of supermarkets and eating spots, which makes it great for those who live alone. Kingsford is a bit more affordable option with pubs and restaurants that offer discounts for students.

UTS students can consider Chippendale – one of the most famous Sydney suburbs. Moreover, there is also Ultimo, where apartment prices are on par with a shared housing; however, the crime rate is relatively high, so caution is advised.

Moreover, Mansfield and Pennant Hills are often chosen by students of Macquarie University.

Working individuals

If you work in the CBD, but want to live a bit further away from the center, you can look into Penrith, Newcastle, and Gosford, as they offer regular train services. Areas that are not covered by train are well-connected by buses. You can also get a ferry from Parramatta or Manly.

You can also look into Leichhardt, Erskineville, Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft.

As you can see, Sydney and its surrounding suburbs offer something for everyone. You just need to know what you want as that will greatly narrow down your choices. Good luck in this endeavor.