Come to the mountains Stephen. 75-90 mins by train to the city ( express most trains) the CBD and airport are 60 mins away outside of peak hour by car. You can live in amongst the national park not ten gazillion other blocks. The awesome tracks of Lithgow and beyond are not far away and best of all you don't live in Sydney! That boundary starts at the bottom of the hill near emu plains. Rental is a bit tough at present due to the fires but should ease off a little. I'd think $500 PW would get you a resonable joint but tbh I have never looked.
x2
West is best, forget the rest

My boss commutes from the mnts and takes a few hrs to get to work, he just has a sleep on the train.
If you enjoy a wheel than the Blue Mnts has it all and more.