I'm relocating to Sydney, where should I look to buy?
Sydney regularly features as one of the world's most liveable cities and for good reason. Sydney is an aesthetically beautiful city, built around Sydney harbour.
If you are relocating to Sydney, from interstate or overseas, then there are a few things that might help you work out which part of Sydney you would enjoy living in. The inner region of Sydney can generally be divided into a few sections:
Eastern Suburbs (Point Piper, Rose Bay, Vaucluse, Bondi, Clovelly, Coogee, etc)
Inner Sydney (Paddington, Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Redfern, etc)
Inner West (Balmain, Marrickville, Birchgrove, Leichardt)
Lower North Shore (Mosman, Neutral Bay, Balmoral, Lavender Bay, Lane Cove, etc)
Northern Beaches (Manly, Curl Curl, Narrabeen, Palm Beach, Avalon, etc)
Eastern Suburbs
The Eastern Suburbs are home to the picturesque coastline that is often featured on Bondi Rescue and has a continual buzz of energy about it. You will regularly see walkers, runners, and fitness classes at all times of the day and people often spend their weekend enjoying the many cafes and restaurants and catching up with friends and family.
The art deco apartments and cliff-top homes make this area attractive for budgets starting at $ 1 million.
The famous Bondi to Coogee walk is a 7km stretch of coastal walkway, home to an annual festival known as Sculptures by the Sea.
Classic hospitality venues include the Watsons Bay Hotel, The Boathouse Rose Bay, North Bondi Fish, and the Coogee Pavilion.
It could be described as a bigger version of Perth, Honolulu without the high rise, Rio De Janeiro except it is safe to leave your belongings on the beach while you swim, or Nice in Southern France.
Inner Sydney
Inner Sydney is a cultural hub of art, cafes, bookstores, local markets, and high-end fashion. The locals here are the 'work hard, play hard' type with many people choosing the area for the easy walking commute into the CBD, but access to a mecca of activities come the weekend.
The area is home to Victorian-style terrace homes and some beautiful apartments with harbour and city views, best suited to budgets starting around $800,000.
There is a trendy vibe to the inner Sydney area, with regular live music, local festivals, and a scene that caters to both the early morning rises and the late-night revellers. Also home to Centennial Park, The Sydney Cricket Ground, and the Hordern Pavilion - there is always something on to suit everyone.
Popular venues include The Grounds of Alexandria, Paddington Markets, Porteno, anything around Five Ways, and Chiswick.
It could be compared to Shoreditch in London, a touch of Paris, and even has some Melbourne hallmarks.
Inner West
The Inner West was traditionally a working-class borough although has transformed into a self-contained community neighbourhood where the locals like to get to know each other and many homes have been owned for multiple generations. The area spans from the foreshore of Glebe and Balmain down to the Cooks River so serves a diverse range of residents.
The renovated workers' cottages and terrace homes attract a premium in the area, while the more modern apartments serve those with a budget starting from $650,000.
There are multiple markets to choose from during the week and weekends, a buzz of school sports around on a Saturday morning, and the inner west has become home to over a dozen craft breweries that are family and dog friendly.
Hospitality venues of note include the Tramsheds, Noi, many of the pubs in Balmain, and King St Newtown with every cuisine selection ever made.
The Inner West vibe resembles that of Berlin, Chicago, and Fitzroy / Carlton for those coming from Victoria.
Lower North Shore
The Lower North Shore sits just across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and is a gorgeous area of swimming spots, running trails, and parks by the water. The area is home to a diverse range of young families, retirees, and working professionals who enjoy a lifestyle that is close to the city yet far enough removed to embrace a well-being lifestyle.
The architecture of Castlecrag is not to be missed, combined with the art deco apartments dotted along the coastline, best suited to budgets starting around $800,000.
The north shore trend can be summed up by the local's protest against the Woolworths supermarket chain proposing a new store in the main street of Mosman, and the community village vibe that shops and supports local business. Picnics by the water are common, a decent number of playgrounds to keep the kids entertained, waterside yoga classes, and various high streets lead to a pretty nice lifestyle.
Not to be missed venues include the Aqua Dining under the Harbour Bridge, Ormeggio at the Spit, Sails at Lavender Bay, and the Bathers Pavilion at Balmoral.
The area has a Knightsbridge, London feel to it, with a touch of the Upper East Side, NYC, and a dash of Toorak.
Northern Beaches
The Northern Beaches cover a large stretch of coastline and are a mix of holiday homes and increasingly permanent residents who don't mind the 60-90minute long commute into the city one or two times a week (or never!). People live here for the lifestyle, the beach, the coastal walks, and the chance to be removed from the hustle and bustle of a city.
There is a Hamptons style to many homes, with a larger proportion of apartments towards the Dee Why and Manly end. The budgets in the area vary, but a starting guide of $800,000 would get you into a small apartment away from the beach.
The lifestyle here suits the relaxed vibe, lovers of national parks and the outdoors, and those who are happy to go at their own pace. Manly is the main area of nightlife and serves as a good base for those looking for evening activities without heading to the city.
Choice activities include the Manly markets, dining at Pilu, Freshwater, Jonahs at Whale Beach, and the Boathouse, Palm Beach - with an option to get the passenger ferry over to Patonga.
The Northern Beaches are pretty unique - although a touch of the Miami vibe in Manly combined with The Hamptons on the upper end.
Sydney Real Estate is unique and Sydney has a diverse range of lifestyles on offer. If you are relocating to Sydney then I am more than happy to help you work through areas you may enjoy having lived in 5 countries and travelled to 71, I have a good perspective on what is similar to life in Sydney.
