NotForM
Reviews
"Great for those not wanting any colour in their lives"
A very insipid existence if you're use to good food, night life, loads of cultural activities that does not involve movie watching. Many retirees and aspirational young families here to enjoy the safety , schools and capital growth. There'd be a couple of good restaurants if you're willing to pay a lot of money for average food and coffee. I don't find most of the vendors on the commercial strips either side of the Pacific Highway that friendly , in fact they tend to pander to a certain demography.
I moved here 5 years ago and have yet to make a genuine friend inspite of many attempts. Many people pay lip service but I find the more you look the part the friendlier they are to you.
The Pacific Highway is getting worse every year with traffic and turning right to get into Clanville rd if you're going north or turning left to get into Mc Laurin parade going south can be like playing Ryssian Roulette most afternoons. Some appartments have been built around the southern end of the suburb causing more traffic but of course nothing has been done to improve the roads, added congestion and traffic lights etc.
The biggest plus in the area are the schools and safety. It's very safe to walk around by yourself at most times of the day and night. Also due to the proximity to Chatswood, it's a popular and in demand suburb hence property capital growth is good. Must be something in the ROI as there are many young finance people who buy into the area when they start their families.
The is a very expensive suburb with some lovely homes hence an incredibly aspirational suburb. With it I guess brings a certain type of person and obviously those with values quite different to mine. I may find the place a little dull but I see families here happy to pay a fortune for a small house and block just be in the area so it's a sought after family suburb.
Great for
- Safe
- Great property capital growth
- Schools are overcrowded but good
- Clean streets and a Council that cares about trees
Not great for
- Banal
- Food and coffee options aren't that great compared to other areas of Sydney
- Neighbours are nice depending on your background
- No bars (other than the exceedingly brightly lit RSL)
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
NotForM.... I must be lucky. I have lived here 14 years, with pinup fashion on a plus size frame and a veritable rainbow of fashion hair colours or a shaved head. I haven't found anyone to be exclusionary based on how I look.
Yes it's quiet, I agree the food is lacking, and there is no nightlife... But there is a large bar just 5 minutes down the highway. Or the city is a short drive at night or train ride.
I understand you've come from an area very different, but I don't know many suburbs that will give an inner west experience out of the inner west. I came from the hills and that was a lack of nightlife and the city was over an hour away by bus to go clubbing, or see shows and buses stopped not long after midnight even on weekends.. So for me this is a huge upgrade to being able to have a nightlife.
This is very much a family suburban lifestyle, and that definitely isn't for everyone.
I'm not sure what part of Roseville you live in, but there are definitely streets with large homes on large blocks with gardens, tennis courts and pools, it's not all small homes in small blocks, but yes it's all very expensive.
It would definitely be a culture shock from the inner west.