Moving to Sydney... Where to live? and other stuff

[stephwoodall]

Hi all,

I'm not a big poster on MySwag but I love reading everyone's contributions.  I'm looking for some guidance. I have just landed a gig based in Sydney.  I lived in Sydney about 18 years ago but heaps has changed up there.   I wouldn't say I love Sydney - I'm just confused being a Qld'er and living in Melbourne for the past 18 years or so but I know it's a pretty decent place to lob.

I will be working in North Sydney and will be renting for at least the first 12 months.  My preference for locations is on the North Shore (Upper North Shore) or maybe the hills district (I've lived in Epping and Thornleigh before) even the northern beaches would be good but I think that will be too expensive.  I don't want to go West or South mostly out of convenience for where I will be working.  We'd even consider the Central Coast but that would be a long shot given the travel times and I need to be conscious of the fact that if SWMBO wants to "pop into town" it's not as easy. 

I think the cost of rent will be the major factor of where we live but we don't need anything too special.  3BR plus garage, with room to store the camper etc and a back yard for the dog.  I'm thinking of rent up to about $550 /week - It seems from some of the searches I've done that this is achievable. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on suburbs to look at?

Oh and the biggest issue I'm facing is having to get my head around NRL again and what team to follow

Cheers

Stephen

[CBRK]

Hi,

I'd avoid the hills, central coast and beaches unless you like traffic. I'd also avoid anything that means you'd travel on Military rd.

Since you'll be working in north sydney any lower north shore would be good, consider east or north ryde, better bang for buck.

Do plan to drive to work or use public transport?

Chris

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[Bird]

I think the cost of rent will be the major factor of where we live but we don't need anything too special.  3BR plus garage, with room to store the camper etc and a back yard for the dog.  I'm thinking of rent up to about $550 /week.

good luck. many places are going for lots more than their advertised rental prices.. people are now almost *bidding* for rentals.

[DropBearRacing]

My brother lives in Noerthbridge. His missus works in North Sydney and he works in the city. She drives he catches the train. They like being close to the city. They just bought in Willoughby so they must really like the area. They have two small kids and a dog. I agree with cbrk, if you don't want to be commuting too far and being stuck in traffic for a majority of the commute do choose the central coast, Northern beaches. But then again I hate the place and choose not to live in, work in  or visit the place 

[DropBearRacing]

good luck. many places are going for lots more than their advertised rental prices.. people are now almost *bidding* for rentals.

Yeah as lost says, finding the rental property is only the first hurdle. The next and probably the biggest is actually winning at rental. The advertised rental is only the starting price. Be prepared to pay a hell of a lot more.

Have you been too any of the rental inspections?  There are queues out the doors and down the street sometimes.   

[Goose]

I think $550 for a 3br free standing house on the upper north shore might be pushing it. You might get an older apartment or townhouse though.

My brother rents a 2br apartment in St Leonard's for $550/week.

Now for the important stuff: There is virtually no all-day on-street parking in North Sydney. None. Unless you are happy to pay $50/day. Most big companies around there have limited spots. The area is notorious for parking inspectors too.

If your new employer hasn't specifically told you that you will get a car spot, assume you won't. As such, you need to make sure you are living within a reasonable distance of the north shore train line.

At your budget you won't be able to walk to North Sydney and have a house either. 

[stephwoodall]

good luck. many places are going for lots more than their advertised rental prices.. people are now almost *bidding* for rentals.

Geez... Not what I wanted to hear but thanks for the heads up.

Stephen

[stephwoodall]

Do plan to drive to work or use public transport?

I think it will most likely be public transport.  Traffic and carparking (with the raised 4wd) is not my friend

Cheers

Stephen

[chester ver2.0]

I think $550 for a 3br free standing house on the upper north shore might be pushing it. You might get an older apartment or townhouse though.

My brother rents a 2br apartment in St Leonard's for $550/week.

Now for the important stuff: There is virtually no all-day on-street parking in North Sydney. None. Unless you are happy to pay $50/day. Most big companies around there have limited spots. The area is notorious for parking inspectors too.

If your new employer hasn't specifically told you that you will get a car spot, assume you won't. As such, you need to make sure you are living within a reasonable distance of the north shore train line.

At your budget you won't be able to walk to North Sydney and have a house either.

If you can get something for $550 on the Nth Shore it will either be haunted or condemmed sorry mate but for that budget you are looking at one of the big unit complexes out homebush way if you want something semi new or Nth Ryde, Rydalmere if you are after an older place

[KeithB]

Maybe look at something on the upper North Shore, drive to the station and take the train. The traffic coming into the city is impossible. That's why most people seem to take the train.
Rents in Sydney are stupid at the moment. Hornsby or thereabouts might be your best bet.
http://www.realestate.com.au/rent/property-house-with-3-bedrooms-between-500-600-in-hornsby%2cnsw+2077%3b+/list-1?preferredState=nsw
Keith

[Bird]

If you can get something for $550 on the Nth Shore it will either be haunted or condemmed sorry mate but for that budget you are looking at one of the big unit complexes out homebush way if you want something semi new or Nth Ryde, Rydalmere if you are after an older place

Bingo....
mates are payin more than that for a 1 bedroom portaloo in Sydney.

[chester ver2.0]

Bingo....
mates are payin more than that for a 1 bedroom portaloo in Sydney.

Lost i was paying $470 for a 2 bedrooom unit in one of those gian complexes back in 2008 after going to Melbourne and now Perth i would not go back to Sydney for anything less than 170k

Nice place to visit to pricey to live

[ATC]

I work in north sydney & one in the Inner West.
Consider the suburbs on the ferry line it stops at McMahons Point & Milsons Point morning & afternoon.

I can almost count on one hand the number of free all day parking spots in walking fistSnce to North Sydney. Rangers are very good at doing their job.

Train, bus or ferry is best if you don't have assigned parking.

For $550 in sydney were you planing on just renting 1-2 rooms from someone?

Go on domain.com.au & check out the rental section.

Good luck with the job & house search

[chester ver2.0]

I work in north sydney & one in the Inner West.
Consider the suburbs on the ferry line it stops at McMahons Point & Milsons Point morning & afternoon.

I can almost count on one hand the number of free all day parking spots in walking fistSnce to North Sydney. Rangers are very good at doing their job.

Train, bus or ferry is best if you don't have assigned parking.

For $550 in sydney were you planing on just renting 1-2 rooms from someone?

Go on domain.com.au & check out the rental section.

Good luck with the job & house search

Yeah i was at mentone and the ferry ride into the city on the river cat was awsome

[gronk]

The central coast is starting to look good eh ??

I know people who live here that commute to Sydney ( Botany and Ryde ) that get to work quicker than people from the western suburbs ..

[Socks]

If you're working in North Sydney don't look in The Hills. We live there and you won't find much, if anything, to rent in your budget. You'll also have to deal with massive traffic issues. Maybe try around the Hornsby area but realistically, you may have to rethink your budget if you're not willing to go further out in areas such as blacktown council area


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[briann532]

I don't do it myself, but have a few friends in the hills district who commute by bus along the M2.
Most mornings its quick and hassle free, but it depends on how early or late you leave.
10 mins later can mean a 45 min longer journey.
The "pathetic" hwy from the freeway to Sydney is a complete joke.
M5 is always on the news.......

Its Sydney. Take it for what it is. You live in a city this big, its going to take time to get around in peak traffic times.

As far as rent goes - sorry but your budget won't get you anything anywhere safe. Just my opinion - Please don't shoot me if anyone disagree's. 
Try a bit of a search for "granny flats" in the hills area. Some people on property's around dural etc have some huge flats they rent out on a cash payment basis.
Ask around it can't hurt.

Cheers
Brian

[achjimmy]

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.

[Bunyip]

I used to live in Kings Langley (Blacktown Council Area) and it was a great suburb. I also used to work in North Sydney.

1.5hrs door to door including a drive to the station (budget for a bomb of a station car as you don't want to leave anything good at 7Hills Station) train into North SYdney (same train line so no changing) and then a walk to work which was OK until it rained and people try to poke your eyyes out with their brollies.

Now I live in ORange, work outside of Parkes and it still takes me 1.5hrs, almosta ll at 100Kph and dodge the occassional wildlife.

Even if I could afford to buy back into Sydney I don't think I would.

[Signature035]

I live on the North side.  I would have a look around Asquith...  top of the North Shore line, but $600 will get you into an older place with a yard.   Direct train down to North Sydney and the City.

[Coiled]

I am qld'er been in Adelaide and now in Sydney. Whatever you think living hear will cost you add at least another 25%. Everything costs you more.

Home rentals are bloody dear but cheap compared to property values. When you look at rental returns the properties are either cheap to rent or overpriced to buy in comparison to other states. I pay just under $700/week for an old 3bed at concord west. It sold 9 months ago for $1.25. That is a long way from the 1000th rule usually achieved in Brisbane and Adelaide.

I would consider looking around my area as it is direct train line to North Sydney with most expressing a lot of stops. When we moved here we were on the parramatta river and catching the ferry was great unless you work long hours hence my move. Ferry is also a reasonable amount dearer.

[brocky05fj]

Come and join us at Berowra.
Surrounded by National Parks, on the city limits but with the F3 (M1) at the doorstep, can still get into town or central coast when needed.

Most of the time it doesnt feel like you are living in Sydney.

Good luck in the searching, property market is hot at the moment.

Cheers

[stephwoodall]

Hi guys

Thanks for all of your responses they have given me food for thought. I think I am leaning toward living in a more regional area. Work in Sydney and live away from the hustle and bustle. Thanks for the suggestion of Berowra Brocky I was looking at the central coast but Berowra looks like a top spot.

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[stephwoodall]

I had Berowra confused with Bowral. Still like Berowra but will also check out southern regional areas too

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[rags]

I had Berowra confused with Bowral. Still like Berowra but will also check out southern regional areas too

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I think you will fit in better with a Prado and camper at Berowra than Bowral as you would need a Merc 4wd and  Pony trailer down at Bowral.
For me it is the Mountains but if I needed to be nearer Sydney then  Hornsby to Berowra or even down at Brooklyn  by the water would be on the radar. Goodluck but for me it off to the Sunshine Coast soon, maybe I can rent you our place.