Moving from Adelaide to Sydney, Please Recommend a Suburb to Live in

uk3000 on 29/03/2019 - 11:30
Last edited 29/03/2019 - 11:30

Yet another "moving to Sydney" thread. We're a family of three in our late 30s with a 4yo child, relocating from Adelaide because wife's just got a very prospective job offer in Sydney. It's a hard decision to make and proceed with downgrading our life standards, but there's nearly zero career (and the pay) growth opportunities for both of us here in Adelaide. FWIW, wife is a Law associate, I'm a senior software engineer.

Interested in opinions on choosing a safe Sydney suburb to live in, with a good public primary school, less than 1hr train commute time to work (offices near Martin Place) and where we could rent something decent for no more than $900 p.w.

North or South? What are your opinions on North Ryde, Lane Cove, Killara, Kogarah? Another criteria is, in a distant future, we'd like to be able to buy a house not too far from where we'll be renting for now. It's unlikely that we'd be approved for anything more than $1.5M.

Thanks a lot!

Education & Work

Comments

      • junji82 on 01/04/2019 - 15:48
        +1

        What I remember from St Ives, there was a bus that goes to Wynyard directly. Takes about 40min depending on traffic. Lindfield is about 30 min train ride from Wynyard.

    • ihbh on 01/04/2019 - 17:59
      +1

      Impressed at your foresight to plan for the Lindfield Learning Village!

  • loropy9 on 01/04/2019 - 22:54
    +1

    Sydney is a great city. For cashed up tradies and inner city yappies.

    • uk3000 on 01/04/2019 - 23:25
      +2

      Then again, some people live in New York or LA and love it.

      • loropy9 on 02/04/2019 - 08:39
        +1

        You’ll be fine in Sydney, you’ll earn the money and you’ll join the rat race. I believe that cities of the future should look a lot more like Adelaide and a lot less like New York. Less mental ilnesses in the long run.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 02/04/2019 - 13:31

    blacktown ;)

  • kramkramkram on 02/04/2019 - 14:11
    +2

    Hi UK3000

    Some sites that might be helpful for you

    Crime Rate Map
    http://crimetool.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/bocsar/

    Healthiest Suburbs
    https://www.domain.com.au/healthy-sydney/sydneys-healthy-sub…

    Liveability
    https://www.domain.com.au/news/domain-liveable-sydney-citys-…

  • 91rs on 02/04/2019 - 14:27

    I'd suggest not moving to Sydney at all but to Melbourne or Brisbane, you shouldn't have issues finding work that pays well and would enjoy it more.
    If you really must and someone has a gun to your head then North Shore or Northern Beaches would be the pick, but be prepared to pay for it. Then don't expect to be able to enjoy it given the traffic on weekends is much worse than peak hour during the week.
    Others have listed reasons not to go there, from lockout laws, no night life, the fact that Glady's got in for another term, Sydney traffic, the amount of people that cram in to the T1 North train. The list goes on.
    Also hope you're planning on buying your kids a place to live as they for sure wont be able to afford it and will probably end up moving out of the city when they grow up like plenty of others I know, unless there is some serious market correction which I don't see happening.
    Either way best of luck with the move.

    • uk3000 on 02/04/2019 - 21:59

      It's decided that we move, come what may :) Thanks!

  • awhc on 02/04/2019 - 23:03
    +1

    I've lived in Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Lindfield, East Lindfield, Roseville, Chatswood, Gordon, Eastwood, Kingsford and now in Epping.

    North Shore used to be good back in the early 2000s. It has changed significantly and the traffic is horrible on Pacific hwy during peak hour and weekend is just as bad as the parents drop their kids off to sport.

    You might also want to consider the ethnicity of the suburbs. Epping and Eastwood is an Asian suburb. Whereas North Shore is a mix.

    We find Epping very convenient, you can go drive down Epping road to to the the City or the North Shore and other roads to go out West or down South. There are express trains to central (Epping > Strathfield > Central), trip is around 24-28min depending on the time of the day, with trains every 30min (every 15min from Epping to Central 6:30-9:30am and Central to Epping 3:30-7:15pm). You can drive to the city in 20min (non peak hour). There are some well priced houses in Epping that will be within your $1.5m budget. There is currently one for sale on York St in Epping. There are apartments going up around Epping station, that will be new shops, cafes and restaurants.

    • uk3000 on 02/04/2019 - 23:38

      Very helpful, thank you. Epping is definitely on the list to explore. As long as it's family-friendly, safe and and has low crime rates, we don't care much about ethnicity.

  • UFO on 03/04/2019 - 10:53
    +3

    I'd seriously reconsider a move to Sydney (sorry to all those OzBargainers still stuck there).

    I lived there for 15 years and moved to Canberra. For a young family was the best decision I've ever made- and that was 10 years ago.
    I still visit friends there on a regular basis and I can't believe how much it's changed, and continues to change.

    The people… omg, there's so many people. Traffic, pollution… never again.

    You're coming from Adelaide, so your quality of life is on par with Canberra. Expect a massive drop to that in Sydney mate. Add up all those hours per week you spend either sitting in traffic, or sitting in public transport. And it's not just the time away from home, its the crap you are breathing in while doing it.

    And even at home- you'll still be breathing that crap in, because all of Sydney's pollution blows west. At least in the Eastern suburbs you get clean air coming in from the coast- but at a huge living cost.

    It's a big call to not pursue a career in Sydney, I get that- and feel for your partner I really do.
    But how much will it cost you (and I ain't just talking money).

    I don't mean to be a negative nancy, but people are leaving Sydney for a reason. The only thing keeping the population stable is immigration.
    Relative quality of life is bad. Really bad.

    • uk3000 on 03/04/2019 - 13:38

      We'll see how it goes. Maybe that's what we'll end up doing too, after a few years. Move back or to another capital city. At least, she'll have a top-tier law firm on her resume.

      • T1OOO on 03/04/2019 - 18:54

        Counts for nothing really. Don’t think about that. It’s only here and now.

  • vr4indian on 03/04/2019 - 14:46
    +1

    Before you move make sure place or property has

    1: NBN
    2: phone network signal

    Thanks

    • zealmax on 05/04/2019 - 09:44

      +1 Blacktown for NBN(FTTP) and phone network signal.

  • jrad0 on 03/04/2019 - 16:11
    +1

    May I ask which suburb you are leaving from Adelaide? I made the move myself from Adelaide to Sydney 5 years ago and haven't looked back. Living in Newtown and never left. Although I am younger (30 now) than you, I am married and if looking to raise a family and keep proximity to all things good and short(ish) commutes in Sydney, the suburbs I'd look at (I am beach inclined):

    • Newtown (and inner west in general): houses are old and poor quality for the price imo but really good public transport connections, cafes etc
    • Coogee: If you can find what you're looking for price wise, this is a great place by the ocean, a safe beach for swimming and the light rail is due to open here soon
    • Cronulla: The only beachside suburb with a train station right on it's doorstep. It has a great Adelaide style feel about it
    • Mona Vale: Every time my wife and I cruise the Norther Beaches we always agree this is one of the best family vibe suburbs in Sydney but quite far away

    Good luck

    • uk3000 on 03/04/2019 - 16:15

      Thanks mate! It's West Lakes, in a nice and quiet area not far from Tiranna Reserve.

      • T1OOO on 03/04/2019 - 18:52

        Do u like westlakes ? To me it’s a bit of meh nothing. No trains. Not on the beach. Just a manufacturers lake. What aspects u looking for ?

        I moved a week to Wollongong with relies. People commute 2 hours to get to work and sleep on the train. Lots of people sleep on the train u will too trust me.

        Then a few weeks to Liverpool. Only white dude on the train to para. All Liverpool and western Sydney are arabs. Indians. Or blacks. No whites except really old wogs and some lebs - who’s IQ is about 60.

        Then onto mortdale. Mostly white. Far out still expensive.

        Will try cbd or north Sydney next. Trains are packed even 6 am - everyone else thought the same … if I get up really early I’ll get a seat. Hahaha no no you won’t. Stand for 40 min packed. Caused me to be perpetually sick since Xmas.

      • jrad0 on 04/04/2019 - 09:42
        +1

        Don't listen to the horror stories on here, there are a lot of Sydney haters out there who don't make the most of living in the harbour city. As long as you're close enough to the city, beaches or harbour, there is no place quite like Sydney. It's an exciting place with so much to offer, if you're willing to look. Plus, it sounds like you have the financial capacity to make the most of your time here. I came here on much less, albeit my salary has increased significantly, and I have really enjoyed exploring this naturally beautiful city. $2.5 unlimited public transport (incl ferries) on Sundays, coastal and harbour walking trails, no shortage of good shopping centres and plenty of casual mid priced eats which is what Adelaide lacks imo (thai town for example), Royal National Park, Blue Mountains, Jervis Bay and the list goes on! Plus a great climate. As long as you're close to a train and not too far west (Paramatta is too far west), at peace with much higher property prices than Adelaide, you will enjoy your time here

        • kerfuffle on 04/04/2019 - 09:56
          +1

          You haven’t caught PT on Sundays in ages; the cap is actually $2.70

        • uk3000 on 04/04/2019 - 09:58

          Ta! We're looking forward to it.

  • Chubbsmcfatflabs on 08/04/2019 - 15:55
    +1

    CAVEAT: I am fro the country, work in Melbourne for like work. Not because I really like it.

    Sydney is disorganised, and hard to get around, expensive, etc..
    Mind you Melbourne is catching up.

    I tolerate Melbourne, but dislike Sydney. You would have to pay me a lot to move there.

    I'd prefer a satellite town or as another poster said Canberra, although you'd have to put up with a Vacuum every time parliament sat.

  • StToffee on 20/04/2019 - 15:40
    +1

    What a fascinating thread this was.

    Late to the party, but appreciate all the insights and comments.

    I spent 10 years in Sydney - inner west, then lower north shore, a little time in the south and then most of it in Pyrmont - after deciding that I couldn't stand the commute.

    Sydney was a wonderous place for a young, single person. I enjoyed it a lot. But the "peak" of the Sydney-is-great market was probably about 2012-13; it nosedived thereafter at a speed that is still hard to believe. I got out in 2016 in my early 30s and literally, the idea of going back makes me shudder.

    Reading this thread has reminded me of all that - the suburbs that are so far from anything are the only ones that are moderately affordable. To live well in Sydney as a family, you either need to be in the east or LNS…provided you can afford the house prices.

    If you're out west; my goodness…Good luck is all I can say. South is moderately better, but it's pretty old and boring.

    Since, then I've lived in Melbourne and Adelaide and various other parts of the world on short-term contracts. Melbourne, despite its issues with over-crowding, remains an infinitely better bet.

    Adelaide is tremendously good value, too - in about 15-20 years, Adelaide will be an outstanding place to live. Just needs to pull itself out of its provincial mindset, but it boasts almost everything else to be a brilliantly livable city.

    TLDR: Sydney isn't what it was (as everyone says), but you can get the best of it if you've got the cash or a whopping inheritance.

  • alexfire on 18/06/2019 - 12:36
    +1

    North Ryde
    Macquarie Park.
    Gordon
    Chatswood

    • uk3000 on 18/06/2019 - 16:52

      Thanks! We ended up renting an apartment in Lindfield.

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