natec

Best part of living on West Street is it isn't Falcon Street. While it's still a major thoroughfare it doesn't suffer the same welter of traffic as Falcon Street, which it bisects. West Street Crows Nest runs into West Street North Sydney, which is shaded and has several excellent cafes, and Crows Nest Cammeray across the freeway overpass with its sports and fitness club.

Anywhere you plonk yourself on West Street you'll find yourself close to the action of Crows Nest village, Cammeray, Wollstonecraft and/or Neutral Bay. There are plentiful on-street parking options and a variety of housing styles from - bedroom flats to 4-bedroom houses. And if you prefer, lots of buses to take you to Chatswood, Mosman and Northern Beaches, city, North Sydney and Cammeray.

The best aspect of Crows Nest is it's still the cheapest option on the Lower North Shore, permitting all the benefits of surrounding suburbs and amenities (and a fair few of its own) without the price tag of more expensive suburbs such as Cammeray, North Sydney and Wollstonecraft.

It's a short hop to the city, and the harbour and water surrounds you. You're also on major road arterials to access the greater Sydney area. On a good day, it's a 20-minute ride to the airport, and the CBDs of North Sydney, St Leonards and Chatswood are minutes away by car or bus (or train, if you don't mind a brisk walk). Hop across the freeway (it's a 5 to 10-minute walk, 2 minutes by car or 143/144 bus) and you're in Neutral Bay, Cremorne and Mosman territory. Arguably Sydney's best family beach, Balmoral, is just an 8-minute car ride or the aforementioned buses take you straight to its white sands.

There are also great schools North Sydney boys' and girls' selective schools as well as the new Cammeraygal HS and Anzac Park PS are walking distance. If you have a bit more coin, Wenona, Shore and a half dozen other private schools are close. And the Royal North Shore Hospital and RNHS private are close as well. Many medical centre,s chemists, dentists and other healthcare professionals are drawn to the area.

Crows Nest has become something of an eats destination with great bars, cafes and restaurants along Willoughby Road. The new Woolworths ensures excellent, free 2hr council parking (but why would you when you can walk?) and a Coles is set to open in 2018. There's an Aldi in North Sydney and Chatswood, a bit farther afield.

There are few places outside Surrey Hills that boast as many great coffee shops and if you're looking for a place with a similar vibe since you became parents, this is the place to check out.

Traffic noise may be a downside since so many arterials run through here. but that's what you get if you want to live in the inner-city. Balancing that are parks such as St Thomas Rest and St Leonards in North Sydney. And there are some great walks if you just nip across the suburb border to Wollstonecraft, Cammeray and Northbridge.

And with the Metro about to open, enabling more public transport options to the city and western suburbs, Crows Nest could soon be the most effortlessly connected suburb in NSW.