Sydney, Australia is well known for its stunning beaches, scenic views and excellent weather. For this reason, it is a popular dream destination for many people around the world.
If you are planning a move down under, then choosing the right part of Sydney to suit your preferences can be a daunting task – especially if you have no previous knowledge of this fabulous city.
Whether you are looking to move to a family-orientated location, prefer living in a suburb bustling with nightlife or want a quieter lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty, Sydney’s suburbs offer a diverse array of lifestyles and cultures for everyone to integrate into.
With that in mind, here are some of the top areas to consider for your move in Sydney.
The Shire
Officially known as the Sutherland Shire, this is a picturesque region located in the South of Sydney.
With a reputation for having stunning coastal landscapes, beautiful beaches and spectacular national parks, The Shire has often been referred to as ‘Sydney’s Best Kept Secret’.
Key attractions in the area include its diverse food scene, numerous recreational activities available (surfing, hiking, swimming) and the Royal National Park, which is the second oldest national park in Australia.
This part of Sydney is very family-orientated, with over 80% of its current population comprised of couples or young / larger families.
The Shire also makes the list as it is an affordable place to live, offering a good quality of life and has an efficient public transport system for easy access to the city centre.
Notable suburbs in the Shire include:
- Caringbah
- Sutherland
- Miranda
- Oyster Bay
- Engadine
- Heathcote
- Bundeena
- Cronulla
The Northern Beaches
Looking for an area with plenty of beaches? Look no further than Sydney’s Northern Beaches. With over 20 beachfronts to choose from, locals are spoiled for choice.
Renowned for having picturesque landscapes and a vibrant community, this coastal paradise has plenty going for it.
Some notable beaches in the area include Manly Beach, Palm Beach, Dee Why Beach, Curl Curl Beach, Mona Vale Beach and Avalon Beach; all ideal for swimmers, surfers and people who enjoy fishing.
Complimented by a thriving community and a high quality of life, it’s no wonder this location makes our list.
Key suburbs include:
- Palm Beach
- Avalon
- Newport
- Mona Vale
- Narrabeen
- Ingleside
- Frenchs Forest
- Dee Why
- Curl Curl
- Manly
- Morning Bay
The Blue Mountains
Fancy something a little more ‘out of the way’? Consider the Blue Mountains.
This part of Greater Sydney is exactly how you’d picture it: Dramatic landscape, beautiful forests, a series of waterfalls and a blue haze when you stare into the distance.
The air is a lot cooler due to higher elevations, with temperatures rarely exceeding 25°C (77°F). Winters can be colder still, with the occasional snowfall in places such as Katoomba or Blackheath.
If you enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking or even rock climbing, then the Blue Mountains is the place to be.
Apart from its blue haze (created by the oil from the eucalyptus trees), the mountains are also famed for the Three Sisters, an unusual rock formation shrouded in legend. Other notable landmarks include Wentworth Falls and the vastly expansive Grose Valley.
Living in the Blue Mountains gives you access to a tight-knit and friendly community, local markets and amenities but at a slower pace of life – perfect for those who want to get away from the craze of city life.
Sydney’s Inner West
The Inner West is a vibrant and diverse part of Sydney that is known for its unique blend of cultural heritage.
The further you venture into Sydney’s Inner West, the more you will notice just how much character and charm it has.
Perfect for people of all types, including working professionals, families and couples, the Inner West provides visitors with an intriguing sneak peek into Sydney’s past through old heritage homes and apartments while at the same time, combining this with a modern twist and a real suburban feel.
Here you will discover an abundance of parks, trendy cafes and restaurants as well as boutique shops.
Combining this with its excellent transport links and plenty of amenities, it becomes easy to understand why this is such a popular consideration for many people, including those seeking a healthy leisure-work lifestyle.
With plenty of suburbs to pick from, some of the more popular ones include:
- Drummoyne
- Balmain
- Newtown
- Annandale
- Glebe
- Rozelle
- Leichhardt
- Dulwich Hill
- Balmain
- Redfern
- Erskineville
- Camperdown
Sydney’s South West
Located just 30 KM from Sydney’s Central Business District, the South West is another great choice for families.
With an abundance of local parks, shopping centres, good public transport links, sporting fields, healthcare facilities and schools, it has everything one could need.
Adding a strong sense of community to the scene is exactly why Sydnye’s South West makes the list.
The Eastern Suburbs
The Eastern Suburbs of Sydney makes the cut for multiple reasons.
It offers a unique blend of access to beautiful beaches but at a higher standard of living. The Eastern Suburbs are attractive for those who can afford the higher cost of living associated with making the Eastern Suburbs their new home.
This part of Sydney has quickly become an iconic symbol for peering into Australia’s vibrant culture and stunning natural landscapes.
People looking for a laid-back lifestyle will love living here, especially with its wide range of high-end restaurants, cafes, bars, boutique shops and art galleries.
Its world famous beaches include Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach and even Gordon’s Bay.
The area is also well-serviced by public transport, including trains, buses, and ferries, making it easy to get around without a car.
Lower North Shore
The Lower North Shore is an excellent consideration if you are looking for a family-friendly location that has good schools and plenty of parks – but be aware, it is also one of the most expensive places to live in Sydney and for good reason!
It effortlessly combines natural scenic beauty, high-quality amenities, excellent transport links and a strong sense of community making this a highly attractive and desirable place to live.
Situated along the northern side of Sydney, it also gives residents direct access to stunning waterfront views and easy access to the harbour front itself.
It is also home to some of the more prestigious suburbs in Sydney, such as Mosman, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Crows Nest and McMahons Point.
North West Sydney
If you like the sound of urban convenience and natural beauty, the North West of Sydney has plenty of positives to be said about it.
Its excellent transport links give residents easy access to the Sydney CBD (Central Business District) as well as other key parts of the city making this one of the most accessible places to live; both for commuting and for leisure or social reasons.
To add to this, the North West of Sydney has excellent educational facilities which are considered top-quality; some are among the highest-ranked schools and universities in all of Australia.
Its expansive parks, family-friendly amenities, excellent dining options and shopping centres ensure that residents will always have something to see and plenty to do; right close to home.
With a friendly community waiting to welcome newcomers into the area, this makes North West Sydney a highly desirable location for outsiders and Australians alike.
Pro Tips To Help You Move And Settle Into Sydney
Sydney can be an expensive place to live, but thankfully there are a few ways to have a dollar or two. Here are useful deals and incentives to help out:
- Need A Better Price For Movers To Help You Relocate ? : No problem! ZOOM Removals offers handpicked movers that have years of experience. They also have discounts on Tuesdays for a lower price to help make your relocation more affordable.
- Make Public Transport Cheaper: The Opal card is mainly used for public transport. In Sydney, you can enjoy up to 30% off when you use your Opal card outside of peak times on the Opal network.
- One For The Kids: If you are moving to Sydney with children, then you can apply for the Active Kids voucher, providing $100 per year per child to cover registration and membership fees for sports and active recreation.
- Energy Switch: Use the NSW Government’s Energy Switch service to compare and switch energy providers, ensuring you get the best rates and potentially saving hundreds on your electricity bill.
Final Thought
Remember, Sydney’s diverse suburbs means that there is plenty on offer for everyone, accommodating for a variety of lifestyles to chase your Aussie dream.
Remember to choose your suburb carefully if you are on a tight budget or be prepared for a higher rent and living costs.
Hopefully, with tips from this article and a little more research, you can easily find your perfect suburb – Good luck and enjoy living in one of the most vibrant cities in the world!
