Where are the best places to live in and around Sydney?

I've moving to Sydney with my partner in Jan and I wanted some advice on teh best areas to live. Although my partner has worked and lived in sydney before, I haven't even visited Australia as yet! And as with a lot of guys, he's not bothered about a wonderfu llocation, whereas I am! Any advice would be greatly received! Thank you

Public Comments

1. It is very hard to get accommodation in Sydney - and incredibly expensive. If you have to move there, try the western or southern suburbs as they seem to be slightly cheaper. You may be better off moving further out to somewhere like the Central Coast, South Coast or Blue Mountains. These places are withing 1 - 1 1/2 hours drive and are much cheaper. Also better places to live, in my opinion.
2. Depends on what your income is. If you have plenty of money best areas are close to town ie; mosman,Neutral Bay etc.Next would be north west region; St.ives,turramurra,hills histrict. Dont bother with south of sydney
3. It depends entirely on what you are looking for. Sydney is a large city with many different suburbs and types of suburb. My preference has always been for the inner suburbs - Newtown, Glebe, Balmain, Paddington, Surry Hills. The eastern suburbs are great too - Bondi, Randwick, Coogee etc. The expensive suburbs are those on the southern shore of the harbour, Point Piper, Darling Point, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse. Some people love the Sutherland Shire to the south while most people live in western Sydney. There are those who like the the north shore but I wouldn't be seen dead there myself and I don't think much of the Bible Belt, the Hills district. But that's me. If you want beaches close by, beach suburbs are more expensive and the salt in the air from the ocean means gardens don't do too well. Where are you working? How long do you want to spend commuting each day?If you are working in Hurstville, there's not much point in living in Hornsby. There is good public transport in Sydney but not everywhere. If you are going to use it, get somewhere near it. Start your suburb hunt from work, it will help you choose the right one for you.
4. Sydney is a very spread out city (as are most Australian cities) so it depends on where you will be working. If you are going to work in the city centre I advise you to live close to a train line as the buses are slow. If you don't mind the travel or are working in the northern area then the central coast has great beaches and is slightly cheaper with good train access to the city.
5. For stats and demographics see http://www.domain.com.au/public/apm/suburbprofile/default.aspx?mode=buy For a more, anecdotal breakdown.... SYDNEY CITY Spans a reasonably small area... no more than 15 minutes from end to end Inner West - architects, designers, TV/film, media - Newtown, Glebe, Balmain, Surry Hills Inner East - gay (men), artsy - Paddington, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills Outer East - beaches - serious money, jews, fashion types and starlets - Bondi, Double Bay, Vaucluse, Point Piper East - Randwick - families CBD - asian business people - Pyrmont City North - business people - North Sydney, Cammeray NORTH Largish area - at far north end meets up with north west North - monied business people - Mosman, Neutral Bay - (less money than eastern suburbs but more pretentious) Upper North Shore - asian doctors (Chatswood), families ( Wahroonga, Pymble), jews (St Ives) Lower North Shore - beaches, British expats - Manly Far North - families - Hornsby SOUTH Largeish area...I don't know the south too well but here's a rough idea South East - beaches, families - Cronulla, Maroubra South West - arabic, families, rough area - Bankstown, Revesby Hurstville WEST Very large area. 50-60kms from end to end? North West - Hills district - bible belt, families, successful tradespeople and middle-management, asian doctors - Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Beecroft, Pennant Hills South West - rough area, working class - Liverpool, Merrylands West - working class, rough area - Blacktown, Penrith Blue Mountains - artists, alternative lifestyles - Springwood The basic premise is this : * close to the city - arty + money * close to the city and beach/water - big money * suburbs (north) - wannabe money * suburbs (south west) - ethnic groups * suburbs (west) - working class Clearly these are massive generalisations and not a complete picture but you get the idea...
6. The Eastern Suburbs; Coogee, Clovelly, Bronte; the Northern Beaches; Collaroy, Narrabeen, Avalon; or the Inner West; Balmain, Glebe, Rozelle, Newtown etc
7. The North Shore
8. Inner West! can be pricey though...