brendanm9

If only Sydney had more buildings like the Italian Forum, suburban living would be far more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, if more of the 'outer' suburbs had the gorgeous, European-influenced houses of the quieter streets of Leichhardt, they would definitely be better places to live.

The inner west in Sydney, especially the area north of Parramatta Road is a truly magical place.

Leichhardt is one of the easiest suburbs for public transport, it is so easy to get in and out of the CBD from here, or other places for that matter. It doesn't rely on trains so no need to worry about dreaded weekend trackwork.

I don't really want to rate this suburb 5 stars because it is simply too expensive - I would give it 4.5 stars. The other downsides are that because it's close to the city, local hospitals are jam packed with long waiting times and the local GPs are also hard to get an appointment. Then there's the rude behaviour on the public transport, like putting bags on seats and not letting someone sit next to you.

However, these are Sydney wide problems. Perhaps Australia wide problems.

Taking into account the considerable variety of housing, Leichhardt still offers comparatively (ahem) affordable living compared to some areas nearby. Considering the sensational restaurants in the area I feel compelled to give the highest rating.

The whole REGION from Balmain to Abbotsford, including Rozelle, Annandale, Five Dock and Haberfield, and maybe even Glebe, is simply a terrific place. There are countless many water views here along the harbour (not beaches), there is an abundance of parks, even the streets are interesting to look at. The whole area is overflowing with top quality cafes and delicious restaurants.
If I was very very wealthy I would chose to live in this area rather than the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, or for that matter, the Northern Beaches.

Ashfield should be a top suburb in Sydney - convenient, well served by public transport, plenty of shops and eateries.

However, this suburb has a dark aura. I have lived on the borderline between Summer Hill and Ashfield. This is generally an area to avoid for long term living and the fact that rent here is noticeably cheaper than Burwood down the road should be indicative of that.

Wahroonga is simply one of the best places to live. The streets are so green, you almost feel like you're living in a forest! The local parks are the prettiest in Sydney. It's close to the many shops and amenities of Hornsby, but much quieter.

The Kuring-gai council zone always tops crime statistics, with a fraction of the crime even in areas like North Sydney or Inner West.

Main problems are too dangerous roads*, noise from highways, enroaching development, too much trackwork for commuters.

Unless you want to hike it from Central, getting buses to streets out the back of Surry Hills is quite a journey, and off peak, the buses simply aren't adequate.

The area is very expensive because it's very close to the city. The available housing is mainly share accommodation. It's also sad to watch the young professionals walking over the top of the homeless/junkies as if they weren't there.

It's not one of the best suburbs I've lived but not one of the worst - in the middle! 7/10

A very safe area, school students walk by themselves til fairly late.
Epping is also central to many work hubs - Norwest, Parra, Macq Park, Lower Nth Shore, express trains to Coast/Newcastle, the 288 bus is a lifesaver when there's trackwork. Drive to the city quickly in tunnel ($$$)

Lacking nightlife and restaurants, but many pizza shops til about 11pm, good cafes and pub, close to Macquarie megacentre

No issues, though very occasional weirdo will film bus drivers and take photos of buses?

I moved here from Neutral Bay. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of services available, such as bulk billing doctors and late night chemists.

There’s a chemist there which says ‘only chemist on lower north shore open ‘til 10pm’ which says it all.

Also, ‘Crowie’ has some of the best public transport and best restaurants in Sydney.

I don’t mind it being built up on the main roads, but there’s pockets of quiet, leafy areas not far to walk.

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.

Former wealthy area that is slowly getting a de-gentrification. Two train lines to the city, express to Newcastle, Central Coast.

Local shopping centres have everything you need, and plenty of restaurants or take aways. Locals are humble, polite, shy, keep to themselves; there are no snobs. Rent is affordable.

Some of the old units are run down and ugly (Albert ln?). There’s always police at the mall and train station, a buzz-kill, but they’re always polite. Loud train noise in some str

In the mid 2000s Neutral Bay was kind of an ‘it’ suburb.

It was nothing but a suffocating highway full of yuppies and snobs. LITERALLY every car, bus or truck going to Mosman, Manly and the lower Northern Beaches has to pass through Military Road, which cuts right through the centre of the suburb and even 4 in the morning is busy. There’s no public transport away from the main road and rent is very expensive.

No one is friendly or will say ‘hi’, but it’s safe from violence and crime.

If you are thinking about moving to the area of Mount Druitt, it is an okay place to live.
When you get on the train there is often some guy with a cap/hoodie with an angry face sitting in the seat facing everyone else. Sometimes traveling on buses or waiting at the bus stop people play loud hip hop with explicit lyrics.

If you want to live peacefully as possible, try to use St. Marys station and drive / catch bus back, don't hang around the local mall or mt Druitt station between 2pm - 5p as some teenagers create a ruckus.