Glitters has been telling me horror stories as part of her grand scheme to get me to move close to her when we relocate.

We've been investigating different areas and have been surprised at how cheap housing is west of Parramatta, especially near Penrith. The only really dodgy stuff I've heard about is to do with the Liverpool/Cabramatta area: nothing dodgy about Penrith and Parramatta.

So let's get real. Who can tell me about all the different areas in Sydney in an unbiased way? Or could you direct me to somewhere that will give me statistics about crime (particular theft/burglary/violent crime) in the different areas? Are there any areas that we should definitely be avoiding? Is it really worth paying the extra money to live somewhere like the Upper North Shore or is it really not worth the extra expense?

Helen

Whoa - that's a great link!

Helen

Just looked up Newcastle & Hunter trends and we're either stable or 'down'!

I'd hate to see what it's going to be if it was completely up to date, though - in the couple of months, we've had a spate of stabbings, arson, etc so I think it won't look quite so good for the 'next year'...

A girl from my work is from Penrith, she said it wasn't too bad. She grew up there, so its always differant when you've been somewhere your whole life.

Personally, I feel North Shore is overrated, but maybe its cause I work there and have to put up with all the "North Shore Mums" who are incredibly rude to me if they're 4WD pram is blocking my way...

But anyway...lol

Penrith and surrounding suburbs aren't too bad.
The only thing that concerns me, would be transport.

The girl at my work, if she drives to work it costs her about $20 a day in tolls. And still takes her over an hour in peak hour traffic. If she gets a train, its just over an hour.

I live on the coast, and it takes me about an hour and 15 in peak peak peak hour traffic through north sydney. Pay no tolls. And a train for me takes between an hour, ot hour and a half (depending which line you go on).

Thats just a bit of comparison for you.

My family are all from the West (North Parramatta and Westmead) or Inner-West (Strathfield)... so I might be able to offer you some insight.

The whole West gets a bad wrap, usually from people who have never lived there.
Contrary to popular belief, its not like living in a scene from a ghetto shoot 'em up movie However, due to the lower socio-economic conditions in some areas, there is no denying that the crimes rates are statistically higher.

However some areas of the West are 'safer' then the ones you usually hear about (like Liverpool etc).
Statistical information tends to look at the area as a whole.
i.e. 'Parramatta' rather than 'North Parramatta' or 'Parramatta West.'

Crime rates are almost always a result of socio-economic factors, so when you examine the demographics of these individual areas and compare them with the crime stats Glitters provided, you can see that they can differ greatly.
For example:

The average individual weekly income in North Parramatta is $557.
The average individual weekly income in Parramatta West is $530
The average weekly income in Chatswood (Lower North Shore) is $596

The crime rates are the lowest in Chatswood, because it is an area with a high socio-economic grounding. The average income is higher, rent prices are higher, home ownership is more common.

The crime rates are the worst in Parramatta West because it is of a lower socio-economic grounding. The average income per person is lower as a result rent is less,there is less home ownership. There are less services and resources available to the majority of people living in this area due to their socio-economic position - so naturally crime rates tend to be higher.

Although it maybe not statistically compare with somewhere like Chatswood, North Parramatta is significantly safer/of a higher socio-economic grounding then Parramatta West.

My Grandmother and cousins live in North Parramatta, and non-statistically speaking: its a fine area to live. They have never had any troubles. Never been robbed, attacked or assaulted. The worst was a little bit of Graffiti on Nan's letterbox: and thats after nearly 30 years in that area.

Its hard for me not to get a little defensive/try to justify statistics since my family are from the West, and I also spent a year studying crime trends and sociology in those particular areas when I was studying criminology.

Statistics are very hard to ignore, and I can understand why someone like yourself who is trying to choose where to raise their family might be scared by them: they don't lie.
Statistically: the North is safer, but the West does still have a lot areas where your family will have a reasonable level of safety, as well as diversity, affordability and connivence.

Perhaps consider places like Westmead and Carlingford, or even further Inner-West like Croydon, Ashfield or Strathfield.
Far cheaper then the north Shore, far safer then way out West.

I'd also suggest some hands on investigation of areas like Parramatta and Penrith. I know it can be hard for you to find time off, but close to your move, find a cheap hotel near the area you might consider buying/renting in, and experience it. Take a drive around the neighborhoods in daylight and then again by night. Walk to and from the station, or around town. Try it on, if you feel unsafe or uneasy: then you can take it off your list.


Newtown is the best anyway

^ I'd agree with what you've written.

We were actually looking at Carlingford and surrounding suburbs originally, but west and south of Parramatta seemed to be more affordable. Auburn and Merrylands, particularly, had a lot of places that we could possibly afford to buy, whereas in Carlingford, we would have to be renters.

Helen

I was born in Auburn. My parents moved out of there when i was five and we went country. When I head back over there, 10years later, Im really glad my parents moved out and I didn't grow up there.

I agree with what DeStijl. I couldnt write it better so I'll just agree

I live out Campbelltown way now. And I love it. Well actually no there's stilll part of me that would love to be living on acres but its nice because I can have a job, dance, and go to school without the major travel. The prices arent bad either.

♥

Hey I live in Liverpool and Im no 'red neck!!'

As was stated above - there are pockets of 'bad' everywhere, but also very nice areas too!!

I wouldn't want to bring my childen up in Cabramatta or Busby or Miller, but again, there are areas and areas.

The same can be said for Campbelltown. Very affordable and some really really lovely and extremely expensive areas (like Harrington Park and Glen Alpine) and other Dodge City areas like Claymore.

So which are the 'nice but affordable' suburbs?

Helen

up my neck of the woods, certainly the upper north shore (as opposed to the more well-known and expensive north shore), Hills District (Castle Hill et all, although they don't have a train line), Epping. All of these are "on the up" surburbs, either being developed or very close to recently-developed suburbs.

So which are the 'nice but affordable' suburbs?

North Parramatta.
Westmead.
Granvil.
Aurburn.
Carlingford.
Strathfield.
Homebush.

My vote goes to North Parramatta, simply because outside of the Inner West (Glebe, Newtown etc) its the place I know best.
A nice two bedroom place with a decent yard in North Parramatta is on average, around the $420,000 -$490,000 mark.

I had an aunt that lived in Castle Hill for a while, and Glitters is right - its nice suburb. Comparatively, a two bedroom home in Castle Hill with decent yard is more towards the $470,000 onwards: but I don't know your budget, so that could be a distinct possibility. The homes certainly seem nicer/newer.


I know I am at least 6 years away from buying my own home and starting my own little family: but I know I want to do it in Sydney because of the professional opportunities it presents (much like you.)
I'd love to do it in Newtown because of the holistic community presence - but realistically home ownership in the inner-west will probably be well out of my reach.

I don't envy the position you're in right now trying to chose a secure place to invest/raise a family - but my best advice to you is investigate, investigate, investigate!
Peoples perceptions and opinions of certain places are always going to be subject to personal bias of some kind (myself included, I'm a westie!)

Road trip a go-go, lady! I still think a Sunday drive through possible suburbs is your best indication of how YOU feel there.

If you need a guided tour.... don't ask me you know how I am with maps. LOL.

Glitters, your concept of affordable is VERY different to my concept of affordable.

Oh, we are looking for a three bedroom. One room for us, one for Elijah and one for my piano and assorted other instruments.

Helen

Just this one, I actually think I'm right

pming you some property finds. No pressure to take them up - just trying to be helpful by providing you with more options.

Chipping Norton, MOorebank, Cecil Hills are three of the 'nice' areas around Liverpool - so if you wanted to look them up on realestate.com or whatever it's called.

Around Campbelltown the nice areas are Harrington Park, Glen Alpine, Mt Annan, Narellan Vale - basically anything around Camden.

HTH

Penrith and Parramatta aren't too bad at all, when I was back in Aus I lived in North Rocks which is 1 suburb away from Parramatta and it's a nice, safe area.

Carlingford is a nice area too, I grew up in Epping which is the next suburb to Carlingford and it's a quiet area, not a whole lot of crime....my whole family lives in this area....Northmead/Winston Hills is a really nice family area, it's about 5 - 10 mins from Parramatta.

I can personally recommend any area around Camden and you WONT have any problem. Its nicely priced too Not that I have a biased opinion or anything

♥

You can get a mansion on the Central Coast for what you'd pay in Sydney

Hahaha

We are looking for shorter commute times, though.

Helen