Hillsdale, NSW 2036

This is the only place in the Eastern Suburbs I ever lived. It’s quite a good one too. Locally it had a bad reputation but I feel this was a safer suburb than Maroubra or Pagewood, especially the surfer gangs aren’t interested in it.

The streets are a bit ugly there’s very few pretty old houses. The rent is moderate, the public transport was 2nd rate. Buses are late/overcrowded in peak hour. No rail here, change at Kingsford. Plenty of good shops and parks though. I’d rate it 3 1/2 stars.

All the best of surrounding suburbs without the cost plus the Rabbitohs are moving in across the road.

I lived in Hillsdale for 5 years and after that I bought a unit there since I rarely could find a better place. One of the most accessible suburbs in Sydney. Close to many parks, beaches, shopping centers, schools, UNSW and key roads. Also, reasonable distance to the airport but not noisy at all. Quiet and safe suburb with many small parks. Recently there have been many changes, and modern and expensive constructions were built. Feel happy there.

Hillsdale - the secret suburb. Having lived here now for over 3 years I think I've got a pretty good feel for the place.

Let's start with the location. It's tucked away but conveniently close to lots of places. Depending on where you are in Hillsdale, here's how close some of the best spots are:
- Westfield Eastgardens = 5-10 min walk, 2 min drive
- Southpoint shopping centre (with TK Maxx bargains!) = 5-10 min walk, 2 min drive
- Matraville shops = 5-10 min walk, 4 min drive
- Heffron Park (playing fields, Des Renford Leisure Centre etc.) = 5-10 min walk, 2 min drive
- Malabar Beach = 25 min walk, 5 min drive
- Maroubra Beach or Junction = 25 min walk, 7 min drive
- La Perouse (go around the bend to Yarra Bay - another top secret beach!) = 40 min walk, 10 min drive
- CDB = 2-5min walk to Bunnerong road, 40-60min bus ride, or 20 min drive
There's Matraville Public school in the suburb itself as well as the BEST Bunnings in Sydney, and a number of great day care facilities a short walk away. Cycling around the area is easy and great, not that many hills. And honestly some of the best beaches in Sydney because there's rarely ever a crowd!

In terms of the neighbourhood, it's a multicultural mix of majority young families, retirees and more recently a strong contingent of young professionals probably attracted to the affordable homes (both in purchasing and renting) whilst still being conveniently located. There's around 10 playgrounds dotted around, with a large reserve near the middle (Grace Campbell Reserve) that's just recently had it's playground renovated. It's safe, given the abundance of young families, and although there's a lot of apartments there's still a strong neighbourly and friendly vibe. Myself and my wife have never felt unsafe. The apartments are a mix of newer builds, and some older ones, but for the most part they all appear to be well put together and often feature private lock up garages (which newer builds often leave off). No flight noise at all, and it's generally pretty quiet.

Only criticisms I may have could be around the food options. You will have to get to some of those spots above for good takeaway, and perhaps a little further for a decent dine-in option. But with the rise in delivery services and the increase in young professionals in the area, the accessibility for good food is definitely on the rise.

Overall I love where we live and our apartment in Hillsdale. As a first home buyer in Sydney we thought our options were pretty slim without having to travel very far away from the CBD. We're very glad we found and went with Hillsdale, we always recommend the region to our friends and family.

Lots of units one after another. Very multi cultural. Located in south east sydney, no air craft noise. I personally wouldn’t live here because I prefer a house and the privacy that comes with it. But for anyone that doesn’t mind living in a high density neighbourhood with zero balcony privacy, it would be a good buy. It’s located very close to employement and city is only a 20min traffic jam away.

Hillsdale is one of the good place which I found recently in all the eastern suburbs in terms of shopping, living cost, leisure and sports activities.
It has all the varieties of life style, fun and pleasure activities.
close approximation to city ( in terms of work), beaches ( it teams of my love to surf) etc.. It is well connected with roads. Very close to airport ( so i can take late night flights to reach home)
For me, I love this locality. Good one and its on raise too..

My wife and I bought a 3 bedroom unit in hillsdale 3 years ago. We now have a young son and we love the eastern suburbs beach lifestyle. The fact that it is so central to the airport,cbd, beaches, hospital and Shopping centres is a real plus .Recently there has been a considerable amount of upgrades in the area (parks,footpaths,sporting facilities,bowls club) and new business's and unit blocks are popping up. We have great neighbours and It is very family friendly. Value for money and location, Hillsdale has both.

ok.now ive lived in hillsdale all my life and yes it can be said im bias but i aint going any where in hurry.
i see the reviews on some suburbs and how good they are yet struggle to see how they get the good rating they receive.

Hillsdale has large shopping centers all stones throw,we have the best of beaches and bays on both sides,the surrounding
suburbs like maroubra and kingsford ect have so much to offer in the way of life style and are all so close by
not to mention coogee and bondi, CBD ect ect we have the best hospitals within a short drive and learning institutions such as
university of NSW and nida in fact the more i think about what we have within 30 min maximum my head spins,glof courses,park land my God there is to much to list.
in fact if i wanted to go to say the national park out loftus sutherland way im there in 30 min.

in all my 45 years in living here i have never had a problem with bad nieigbours,and ive seen a few come and go.
the people here are mainly family oreintated but also good for couples and students alike.theres no rev heads
like they have in some places which i wont mention

And here is one worth mentioning, here in nilson ave hillsdale "NO AIRCRAFT NOISE NO NOT ONE BIT " :D

just by looking at the additional ratings i can score there and have to say we got it all....A BIG 5 STAR FROM ME !!!!

A tiny suburb bordered by Pagewood, Maroubra and Matraville.
Consists mainly of 1960's redbrick unit blocks, but a great suburb for affordability.
Definitly a must look for the first home buyer as it is close to beaches, parks,transport and cafes without the price tag of Coogee or Bondi.
The downside is it does have small pockets of bad areas but my advice is to research the areas, speak to the locals or walk the streets to get a feel.
lack of on street parking can also be a downside but Bondi and Coogee also have this problem.
Mainly consists of families, professionals, studnets and people of different cultures and close to a small shopping centre which is a great alternative to fighting ques at Eastgardens.

In the past few months this area has really gone downhill.
The streets are clogged with parked cars, there are teenagers running around at night moving street signs and having parties in the street and there seem to be a lot of noisy houses with people renting in them.

Hillsdale shopping centre has all the shops you need for groceries, but the area doesn't have any cafes unless you want to go into Eastgardens or over to Matraville.

Close to schools, shops, bays and beaches. A trip to the city only takes 25 mins on a bus in peak hour. Leave the office at 5pm and your home before 5:45pm

Hillsdale is for those who have a busy lifestyle, enjoy the beach, shopping and dont mind other cultures. It is much cheaper than surrounding suburbs like Maroubra and Pagewood and is very central to everything.

The suburb has a local shopping center that sells good quality cheap food and the area contains people from various cultures and religions.