Eastern Suburbs vs. Oatley vs Kiribilli area

Hi there,

Hoping to get some opinions, I know, this probably has been discussed before, just wondering about my speific situation:

I moved from Europe to Sydney about a week ago, I have spent a few years living and working in Brisbane before that but always fancied living in Sydney for a while. I was lucky to secure a job from overseas and just had my first day today (working in healthcare).

I am female, 39 years old and moved here on my own. Currently, I am staying with friends in Gymea Bay which is lovely, but a bit too quiet and too isolated for me. I work in Wollahra and most of my work colleagues seem to live in the Eastern Suburbs. I am just trying to decide where to settle. I have to admit that my wild days are probably over, I do like my privacy and don´t mind quiet nights during the week, but like to socialise during weekends. But more like going out for a few drinks, for dinner, movies, etc rather than wild nights/clubbing. I love the ocean and like to go for runs so living in an inner city suburb would definately have to cater for some running tracks...

I had a look at Bondi Junction - it definately has some advantages (big shopping centre, train, relatively close to work) but am a bit concerned that this area is a bit too crazy and crowded for me. Coogee is nice too, again, appears a bit touristy at times. And of course, talking of value for money with regards to rentals...well, let´s not go there :twitcy:

I had stayed with friends in Mortdale in the past and I quite liked the area around Oatley - nice village feel, beautiful park reserve with great running tracks and relatively easy access into the city. I am just concerned that I might feel a bit isolated there, it appears to be a family suburb, so not sure whether this is the right thing for me at the moment. But relatively nice apartments and more affordable than Eastern Suburbs.

And then, there´s the Lower North Shore, especially the area around Kiribilli. Not quite sure why, but I love the idea of just crossing the bridge and being in the city (and getting a beautiful view). Commuting doesn´t seem too bad using the train.

So, I am a bit torn...

My salary will be around 85k plus super and my rental budget is around 500 p/w. I am looking at renting a 1 bdr apartment even though I could probably get a 2 bdr apartment for that amount in Oatley (which would be quite handy when visitors from Europe come over).

Any opinions/tips?

Thanks in advance!

I live in Chatswood, which is a good location to get into the city by train or bus. I like it here but not quite living the dream - ie, no harbour views, cool buildings etc. Given the choice of the places you've listed, I'd go for Kirribilli. Depending where you end up, you could be close to Milson's Point for the train, and walk across the bridge to the city on your days off, walks around along the foreshore and so on. Further away from the train you'd be reliant on buses, not sure if you've checked that out - could make getting to work a bit more painful.

Have you thought about others areas close to your work? - ie, Randwick, Darlinghurst, Paddington, Darling Point, Queens Park etc. Or even in some some of the beachy areas further down - depending if you want to be close to sea / surf / swimming.

Would you get enough visitors to warrant a second bedroom? Or spend a bit more on a funky one bed - lots of small things to weigh up!

I am female, 39 years old and moved here on my own. Currently, I am staying with friends in Gymea Bay which is lovely, but a bit too quiet and too isolated for me. I work in Wollahra and most of my work colleagues seem to live in the Eastern Suburbs. I am just trying to decide where to settle.

I had a look at Bondi Junction... a bit concerned that this area is a bit too crazy and crowded for me. Coogee is nice too, again, appears a bit touristy at times. And of course, talking of value for money with regards to rentals...well, let´s not go there :twitcy:

 

I had stayed with friends in Mortdale in the past and I quite liked the area around Oatley... I am just concerned that I might feel a bit isolated there

 

And then, there´s the Lower North Shore, especially the area around Kiribilli. Not quite sure why, but I love the idea of just crossing the bridge and being in the city (and getting a beautiful view). Commuting doesn´t seem too bad using the train.

 

So, I am a bit torn...

My salary will be around 85k plus super and my rental budget is around 500 p/w. I am looking at renting a 1 bdr apartment even though I could probably get a 2 bdr apartment for that amount in Oatley (which would be quite handy when visitors from Europe come over).

 

 

There may be 20 years' difference in our ages but it sounds like we have a lot in common - the areas you mention are exactly the areas of Sydney I've lived in, and know well!

Oatley is a lovely suburb, with a nice community feel - the kind of place you chat to the local cafe owner, butcher and baker. You may have missed the trendy local pub? However you're right, the gym and local cafes have more yummy-mummies in them than young professionals.

Bondi Junction is built up and crowded, Coogee is touristy, but what about Randwick? Much better value for money but still close to Coogee beach. I had friends who used to run down to the beach, have a swim and run back. I sometimes did the same but I walked (or took the bus back if I was feeling lazy!). Waverly is another good option, walkable to Centennial Park and Bronte beach.

Lower North Shore - the negative about the North Shore is that the Harbour Bridge really divides Sydney. I had always lived in the Eastern Suburbs until I split up with a boyfriend and found a flat share on the Lower North Shore - just a hop skip and jump over the bridge really. Yet strangely, if I had a party, none of my Eastern Suburbs friends were ever able to make it. Then when I eventually moved back across the bridge again, the same thing happened in reverse - this time, none of my North Shore friends could ever make it! So I think living "across the bridge" might create a barrier to making friends with colleagues, and I think that would be unwise.

If you work in Woollahra, and you can afford a place within walking distance of your work, the zero transport costs will offset (slightly?) your possible higher rental, and not having to waste time and energy commuting is another plus. Paddo and Woollahra have some quiet streets. You can find quiet streets anywhere. I was actually in Coogee the other night - last night! I rarely stop there, but this time I did, walking around, drink in the Pavilion bar. I actually thought Coogee was OK and I discovered that Alison Road in Coogee goes all the way to Anzac Pde which I did not know.

Oatley is nice but I think that would mean a train to Central - 30 minutes? - then a bus to Woollahra - 378 up Oxford Street, assuming you can walk from the bus stop to where you work? Actually if you can walk from Oxford Street, then Bronte would be a quieter alternative to Coogee. Bronte is one of my favourite beaches, no pub but it has some decent cafes, one or two of them licensed I think. There is a little strip of cafes and restaurants. Then further up McPherson Street is a shopping strip - local shops I mean, no supermarket but all the things you need. I think there is a decent cafe/bar/restaurant there - Three Blue Nuns? Something like that. You might consider Clovelly too, another of my fave beaches, also relatively quiet, and with one decent pub - the "Cloey" (I think) aka Hotel Clovelly.

Kirribilli is OK too, though it would mean irksome little commutes - train to Central, 378 bus, or train to Bondi Jn. Is your workplace walking distance from Bondi Jn?

I hate commuting so I'm prejudiced. I live in Surry Hills by the way, which I would recommend to anybody, and again, whilst some streets like Crown are busy, there are also quiet "backwaters". In fact, this morning, walking home from watching Spurs at the Triple Aces bar, I spent a pleasant half an hour meandering around the streets between Albion and Campbell. Anyway, live in Surry Hills and walk to Central for train to Bondi Jn or 378 bus to Bronte via Oxford Street and Bondi Jn.

Thank you for your input, much appreciated!

I actually get off Edgecliff Station and from there, it´s another 10 min walk to work, so even living around Kiribilli would only be 20-30 min of commuting which isn´t so bad. And I might even change jobs one day, so I would like to be fairly central so travel is easy in all directions.

Randwick sounds good, I had a look at a few apartments on realestate.com.au and there seem to be plenty of offers (even though I tend to be rather picky these days LOL). I definately want to be near the water, so Lower North Shore or Eastern Suburbs are on top of my list. Surry Hills sounds like a vibrant inner city suburb but I think, it´s a bit too bulit up for my taste and lacking parks/water. I would like to go for runs without having to commute somewhere else.

I suppose, I will have a look at some places to get an idea. Difficult to decide just via internet...

Thanks again for taking the time!

Thank you for your input, much appreciated!

I actually get off Edgecliff Station and from there, it´s another 10 min walk to work

If that's the case, I assume you've looked at Edgecliff itself (there are several apartment blocks in the area round the back of the station), or Rushcutters Bay? I used to live in a block tucked away in Trumper Park, a lovely walk up to the station in the morning and only a few minutes' walk to Rushcutters Bay for a coffee in the park kiosk, or a walk through Potts Point to Woolloomoolloo. Not cheap but you'd get more for your money than Kirribilli.

I lived in Kirribilli as a backpacker (there were a couple of dodgy hostels which have long since shut down!). It was a fabulous area and getting the ferry across the harbour never grew old!

Went back there last year for a visit and still really lovely - and some nice cafes have sprung up on the way to the train station too.

I used to be a regular at the Olympic Pool at North Sydney which was easy walking distance. Gorgeous view.

Good luck with whatever you decide - it's a great city.

And then, there´s the Lower North Shore, especially the area around Kiribilli. Not quite sure why, but I love the idea of just crossing the bridge and being in the city (and getting a beautiful view). Commuting doesn´t seem too bad using the train.

The Lower North Shore is a brilliant place to live in my opinion.

I absolutely love Kirribilli. What a lovely place to live.

It is a quiter location but not isolated.

It is within easy access to the rowdier city or cafes in Crows Nest. Nice pub in North Sydney nearby too. Big shopping precinct in nearby Chatswood.

Easy train, bus or ferry to the CBD.

Or you can just walk over the bridge into the city - makes getting home after a night out very cheap and easy.

There is a good swimming pool nearby within walking distance. Walking tracks and even beaches nearby.

Love the place.

To give you some idea on prices:

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-kirribilli-416981194

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-kirribilli-416739281

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-kirribilli-415482255

Unit rents seem to range from $350.00 per week to over $1000.

But being so close to everything you can save money - no need to run expensive car full time or even at all, since you can walk many places or use public transport.

If you were feeling super fit you could actually walk form Wollahra to Kirribilli, or at least part way if not feeling that energetic.

I'm currently living in McMahons Point and can't recommend it enough.. plenty of pubs / cafes on the doorstep, ferry stop outside for access to circular quay and darling harbour and north Sydney / milson's point stations are only a 10 minute walk away... Also bridge / harbour views from outside my apartment block

I'm currently living in McMahons Point

That was the other place I was thinking; but could not remember the suburb name.

Is it the same place as Blues Point?

That was the other place I was thinking; but could not remember the suburb name.

 

Is it the same place as Blues Point?

Yep that's the one!

Little Update: I had a look at a real nice apartment in Kiribilli this weekend (of course, I wasn´t the only one showing up for inspection...). I must say, I really fell in love with this area - relatively quiet, but so convenient and quick to get into the city, not far from the harbour, great for walking, lovely quiet spots and I loved the Kiribilli village with its cute cafes etc.

I have sent off my application so now it´s just a waiting and hoping game...

But Kiribilli is lovely indeed!

I lived in Neutral Bay in 79/80, down by the wharf and I often walked to or from Kiribilli. It's very convenient.

Fantastic news: I got the apartment in Kiribilli and signed the lease today - I am totally thrilled of course :wink:

I think, Kiribilli will be great for getting around and my street´s a little quiet oasis so I have the best of two worlds.

When I was taking the train to Crows Nest to meet with the real estate agent today, I couldn´t help but think: "This will be the most beautiful commute I ever had". Sitting in the train, driving over the Harbour Bridge and pass the Opera House every day - I think, it will take some time before that grows old

Thanks again for all your input!

Fantastic news: I got the apartment in Kiribilli and signed the lease today - I am totally thrilled of course :wink:

I think, Kiribilli will be great for getting around and my street´s a little quiet oasis so I have the best of two worlds.

When I was taking the train to Crows Nest to meet with the real estate agent today, I couldn´t help but think: "This will be the most beautiful commute I ever had". Sitting in the train, driving over the Harbour Bridge and pass the Opera House every day - I think, it will take some time before that grows old

Thanks again for all your input!

What a lovely place to live in!! Lucky you :smile:

Post some pictures of yr new home.