Sydney (CBD), NSW 2000

3.9(23 reviews)

Ranked 403rd best suburb by locals in Sydney (Greater) Region, NSW

Great for

  • Public transport
  • Eating out
  • Nightlife
  • Gym and fitness
  • Internet access

Not great for

  • Parking
  • Schools
  • Clean & green

Who lives here?

  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Families With Kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews of Sydney (CBD), NSW

"It's what you make of it."

It can be perceived as a relaxed or a busy city, depending on your previous experience living in smaller or higher density comparable locations locally and overseas.

The CBD is very walkable place, where having a car in general will be an unnecessary expense. Unless you need it for work or for other personal commitments. The only downside of walking, is you are not sheltered from the elements getting around all the CBD (particularly the closer you get to Circular Quay/The Rocks area or Chinatown).

Besides of high cost of accommodation, slightly impersonal nature of locals at times, tourists clogging up the footpath and occasional drunks on the weekend/uni holidays and public holidays. Just avoid the section of Pitt St closer to Central station with the cheap hotels and back packer crowd. Learn to ignore the beggars.

It's got amazing food options for all budgets. More ideally suited to young professionals and international students rather than young families.

If you value personal space, quietness, community atmosphere then the CBD lifestyle is not for you. For those who like the hustle and bustle, you'll fit right in.
It's just not an 24 hour city like London or New York. Certain things do close early.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
1
ANTHONY ROUSE
ANTHONY ROUSE

Well described, my friend !

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Looking for a home in Sydney (CBD)?

Amy Sanderson real estate agent
Amy Sanderson
LJ Hooker Corporate

"Fabulous work location"

I love working in Sydney’s CBD. It’s vibrant and full of energy. I spend time here on the weekend as it’s a little quieter and I enjoy the peace while wondering the streets looking at the architecture and walking in the gardens. Amy Sanderson, LJ Hooker 0403 851 003 or [email protected]

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
1
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"My dream city"

I'd love to live in Sydney

0
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"Love it"

I love sydney, there is so much to do, its pretty easy to get around and a great mix of cultures. I come from a small area and i am still getting used to the sydney attitude many have which to mean comes across as rude and in your face, i avoid driving if i can, and it is expensive to live.

Great for

  • Beautiful city
  • Lifestyle
  • Good transport

Not great for

  • Expensive
  • Traffic
  • Bit rough round the edges when you get outside the city
  • Outer suburbs are rough

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Students
  • Beach Lovers
0
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"Sydney is the best city in Australia by far."

I've lived in Sydney 15 years. This city is amazing. There is so much to do, so much to see. If you were to take every single Australian city and squash it into one, Sydney would still be better and have more things to do. We have Darling Harbor which is an amazing area, boats, shopping, clubs, places to meet people, restaurants, everything you could want. Circular Quay and the Opera house, art galleries, museums, more restaurants, vistas, parks. There is Pyrmont and the Anzac Bridge, incredible view points, eateries, food choices, casinos, artsy little areas. There is allot to list here, and if I honestly began listing it all, you as the reader would be overwhelmed, Sydney is a monster. In this review I couldn't tell you everything I like about Sydney, this post would just brake out of proportion, so I'll settle for telling you that there is easily something for everyone in this place. Without hesitation I will put forth that there is allot to do, allot to like, allot to see, allot to experience. Sydney will take you and grow you as a person, there is no way you can be an average Joe and live in this place, things will rub off and you will be forced to bring out different sides to you that you never knew were there or could exist. There are plenty of people, HUGE amount of people and a great atmosphere with limited downsides. Out of 10 I would rate Sydney a 9. People are often shocked at just how big Sydney is and just how much there is to actually do once you really get to know the place well. Lastly, among the million, billion great things in the city, there is also a huge amount of tourism everyday which feels like a new, fresh breath of life coming in and out of Sydney.

The downsides are as any major city. We have occasional druggies, but they often steer clear. Our Kings Cross area should be shut down, it's the slums of Sydney and is really giving us a bad light. There occasional fights in the CBD, and stabbings, but if you stay away it will never effect you. Most of our nightlife ends at a certain time, and so does our train systems which is an epic shame. Things in general cost allot, and forking out money is part of living in Sydney, it's just something you do. If you don't know where to go and how to survive in such a big city you might be bound to feel isolated or to make many financial mistakes. Sydney is not for the faint hearted, it's not for everyone and it will exclude many people. It really helps to know someone who knows the city, and although many people live in Sydney, allot of them don't actually explore or know it properly. Another downside is a huge influx of Asian investors which has made Sydney house prices absolutely insane. There is heavy traffic and a failing road system that simply can't support the amount of people who want to live in this place. Sadly Sydney is heading away from being a romantic and beautiful city and going towards being a heavily commercialistic and money driven city. Due to price hikes, food is becoming really expensive, living and rent is out of proportion, buying things has become impossible and hence the future might not be so bright for medium income earners who wish to make a permanent living here. Sydney is not a 24 hour city, due to our large number and alcohol driven issues, we shut down around midnight, this may not appeal to some, especially if you're the type of person that starts their night at midnight. Our music and art scene is slowly winding down, allot less interest in bands and allot more in DJ's, a sign of a faster paced and impatient society. Sydney is also very competitive and people are constantly in a rush to get somewhere. There are also allot more tourists than actual Australians in Sydney, most Sydney siders weren't born in Australia but got citizenship and now call Australia home.

Great for

  • HUGE amount of things to do
  • Allot of tourism
  • Multitudes of places to visit
  • Beautiful city
  • Lifestyle
  • Great Beaches

Not great for

  • Commercial City
  • Expensive
  • Traffic
  • Safe, but everyone is cautious
  • People can come off as snobby

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
1
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Rentals in Sydney (CBD)

"Noisy and polluted, poor environment for families!"

I have lived here for 4 years but now that I am having a family I will be moving it's convenient if you have no kids but I would really not recommend it for families with small children. Main issues include poor air quality but the main issue is noise not only from traffic but from drunks roaming the city streets at night! Also construction and not just buildings but road works at all hours of the day and night and council works which can mean extreme levels of noise i.e. Machinery and jackhammers up to 7 days a week from 7am! It may seem glamorous but the reality is a council that has no regard for its residents! Forget about sleeping in on weekends!

Great for

  • Good restaurants
  • Good nightlife
  • Good transport

Not great for

  • Noisy day and night
  • Expensive
  • Traffic

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
1
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"Sydney, Australia"

Sydney, Australia is the city where I came from, I live in an area known as Hurstville. I can say that Sydney is the best place to live in. From its beginnings as a colony to town to a city and to a metropolis. It is truly growing up into a worldwide famous known place. I recommend people to come and live and explore Sydney. Tks Sydney, Australia.

Great for

  • Skyscrapers
  • Beautiful city
  • Lifestyle

Not great for

  • Multicultural

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
ANTHONY ROUSE
ANTHONY ROUSE

Sounds good!

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"Highs and Lows"

Great for

  • Beautiful city
  • Lifestyle

Not great for

  • Bit rough round the edges when you get outside the city
  • Expensive

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
nermal1
nermal1

Who would not want to live in Sydney!!!!.In fact before we kids were even born my parents were even considering after moving all around Australia arriving here from Singapore in Mid 1972 there as it reminded them of the old place they came from.How we got it all wrong due to a language barrier with one of the doctors in New South Wales over the whole come to Tea incident.I wish my family had got there to this day.The only thing that would have worried me was having to start High School one year earlier when my old Adelaide Friends would still have been in Primary School.

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"Glitzy and in your face - and still great"

Very pleasant to visit and the tourists love it, and near the harbour and beaches, it's fantastic. But outside the inner-city, it can be very bland. The city is very fast-paced and non-stop, has decent heritage, culture and tourist appeal, but can be very expensive compared to the other large cities in Australia. The weather is above average, the beaches and other aspects including lifestyle and nightlife are great. Lots to see and do in many suburbs. Public transport is also pretty good. Traffic is a nightmare however, even on weekends you will find traffic strangling the inner-city and freeways at the best of times are appalling.

Sydney has lots of attitude, it's in your face, glitzy, and full on, which is good, depending on who you ask. This makes it a great place to visit and live in if you are single and professional. But if you like subtlety and the quieter things, it's not for you. The best way to describe it is if you are there to visit as a tourist, it's perfect. To live, you need to be fast-paced and on the go all the time, which is fine. If you want a relaxed, care-free lifestyle, you'll find better elsewhere.

Great for

  • Lifestyle
  • Beautiful city
  • Good transport
  • Great Beaches

Not great for

  • Traffic
  • Outer suburbs are rough
  • Expensive
1
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"Great city..."

Sydney's a fab city but boy has it got expensive recently......

Great for

  • Beautiful city
  • Great Beaches
  • Good transport

Not great for

  • Bit rough round the edges when you get outside the city

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
0
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"2 rich for me"

Great place to live just way to expensive. 1 bedroom apartments in the city fetch rental prices of 600+ which is absolutely ridiculous for anyone wanting to rent or alternatively buy a 1 bedroom apartment for 500-600

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
0
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"Best place in Australia!!"

Who lives here?

  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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Steve Noakes real estate agent
Steve Noakes
Stone Real Estate Hornsby
0
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"It's got the lot- and it's world class"

Ok, the public transport can be a drag, but in the right place like where I live in Newtown it's not so bad. So much to see and do, and the weather allows activity right around the calendar- there's always something happening in Sydney.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"Best fit for single professionals"

Millers Point provides great access for those working in the northern end of the CBD, which suits young professionals best of all. Housing is mainly apartments and some terraced housing towards the waterfront. Noise and pollution are the main issue here, as any house/apartment fronting the north-south freeway will be pounded by constant hum all day and night - which will have an impact on your health over medium term. Recreation is better than some may think with great walks around the Rocks, Observatory Park and further over to the Botanical gardens all on the doorstep. Of course, restaurants and nightlife of the city all nearby too and transport options out of the city all within 10 mins walk whether train, bus or ferry. Recommend the location for short term stays and single professionals - but do consider getting a property facing the west if a longer term stay.

Who lives here?

  • Singles
2
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"Great weather, great nightlife, and great food!"

Sydney is one of those cities that many people have a love\hate relationship with. Most of those people tend to come from Melbourne (as the two cities have an intense rivalry) and complain about how rude, busy, go go go Sydney is.

I on the other hand love Sydney for what it is...a busy persons city. If you don't like the 'glitzy' in your face attitude that Sydney has, then probably best to stay away. But if you like a city that's alive and up front about it, then Sydney is for you.

The good things about Sydney? I love the bustling nature of sydney, similar to New York (on a much smaller scale). It's a little pretentious, but that's part of it's charm. The food is great, and the nightlife is great as well. The people are friendly enough as well from my experience.

Of course there is the touristy nature of the city as well that has to be taken into account, but then again all great cities have this aspect. The lifestyle in Sydney is more expensive than most, but a city by the harbour is always bound to cost a bit of cash.

Overall I love Sydney, and recommend it highly!

(Disclosure - I live in Melbourne)

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
0
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"The finer things in life!"

I grew up in sydney and love it very much! It would be my dream to buy a nice federation or circa home in the eastern suburbs or north shore. I just wish it was not so expensive. Sydney has culture and you there are just so many things to see and places to go!

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"Harbour views and transport terminals"

This busy area in the heart of Sydney Harbour has a number of permanent apartments available. It is a bustling spot, full of tourists all year round. This area of the harbour is a major transport terminal, so you will see ferries rolling in and out all day.

Many of the apartments have sweeping harbour views, looking over the famous landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This view is worth the huge price-tag.

It might be a difficult place to be based in the long term, given the transient nature of the crowds who frequent here. However this could be easily overlooked if you focus more on the incredible location and the view.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
0
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"High rise apartments set amidst tourist attractions"

Darling Harbour is a bustling and shiny place. It has undergone a huge makeover over the past 10 years and now offers a range of dining options, bars and shops around the busy harbour. There are many high rise apartment blocks towering over the area, so finding a spot here is quite manageable (although rents can be quite high).

The area has a strong focus on tourism, and as a consequence tends to lack some soul. Locals are probably best to hunt down smaller, less glitzy local restaurants that quite possibly serve better food at more reasonable prices.

However the area is just a few streets from the start of the CBD, so it is a great spot to be based.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
0
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"It all happens here in Australia's largest city!"

Sydney is a fantastic city to live in. It's is Australia's largest city, with a population of well over 4 million. It is home to many large businesses, leading schools and a wide range of recreational activities.

The city itself is based on the harbour, so water is focal point of life here. There is also a strong sporting culture, with strong followings for both AFL and Rugby.

Homes in the CBD itself are not surprisingly high-rise and high density. There are some stunning homes with waterviews, beach suburbs and urban sprawl with houses and subdivisions spreading far and wide around the regions.

The criticism that some people have for Sydney is that it is too big, and can be impersonal. However it seems to take some time to find your own niche there, and once you find it Sydney can be a great spot to live.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
0
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"Sydney - It has it all for everyone."

Sydney is the capital of NSW and has one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. There is so much to see including the harbour Bridge, the amazing Opera House and the many historic buildings in and around the city. Visit places like Taronga Park Zoo, darling harbor and the Aquarium. There are museums of all kinds as well as art galleries, displays and a huge library. Sporting wise there is just about everything you can imagine and some wonderful beaches, bays and parks to enjoy. Hotels, motels, backer accommodation Sydney has them all. There is no limit to the fine cuisine available as well as fast food outlet of all descriptions. Work or study, holiday or settle Sydney has some to offer everyone.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"Sydney - one of the best cities in the world."

There's a reason Sydney is one of the most photographed, visited and mentioned cities in the world and it's not just for the 2000 Olympic Games. It is quite simply a spectacular place to see with arguably the best harbour anywhere.

If you are fortunate to live here, and I spent 12 months in a service apartment, you will find it has an incredible atmosphere, not unlike New York City, where everyone seems to be in a rush to be somewhere or do something. (though Sydneysiders are more friendly than New Yorkers).

I wouldn't say Sydney has a huge resident population and it's not exactly cheap to live (or stay). You get some of the best restaurant options. Seafood down along the Rocks (Sydney Cafe and Rockpool are great), bars and nightclubs (down along Circular Quay and also around Darling Harbour).

The climate is great too, in Winter the humidity makes it feel warmer than places like Melbourne. In summer it can get a little too humid but we got used to it. (something the humidity brings out is cockroaches!).

Not in Sydney as such but further out you get great schools, public transportation is easy, trains and buses are fine, ferry if you are lucky enough. Traffic is not that great - one way traffic throughout much of the city but the tunnels (tolls) do help to get around.

They love their rugby here, AFL plays second fiddle, we did go to a few Swans games at the SCG. Also had some great golf out at Moore Park.

So, overall I would definitely rate Sydney highly - if you get a chance to live here do it.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
0
CommunityMan
CommunityMan

Buses? They're necessary but the ticketing is a nightmare!

Christopher James
Christopher James

I find it very funny that the Sydney CBD would actually need a review. I mean there are so many attractions in that area that you would need more than one page to fully cover all of it. I hope that someone has been smart enough to set up separate pages for all of them so that we can a review that's a little bit more in detail and accurate. For parking information and the like, I reckon that there are pages for that sort of information somewhere too right?

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