How to choose a Suburb to live in Australia?
Australia is expanding its cities day by day. There are many new suburbs born in the last 5 years with new infrastructure. Especially cities like Sydney and Melbourne are expanding its breadth and width every year.
Being new to this country, it is very hard and confusing to choose a suburb. Initially it is bit time consuming process, but it’s worth it. I know if you ask someone, they might say the place they live is the best, but it might not suit your needs.It is always good to choose the suburb depending on your needs.
When I came to Australia, the preferred suburb for students was Strathfield, 70% of students from India used to live in that suburb. However, I have not chosen that suburb as it was not suitable to my needs. I chose my suburb based on the below factors. Some may outweigh the other depending on your preference:
#1 Transportation:
If you are a student/migrant: Look at the map of the city you are going to study/work and think how far you can travel to your University or place of work. Usually cities like Sydney, the minimum travel time is 25 to 35 minutes if you had to catch a public transport. If you are moving with a family, think of other factors like Child Care or Schools for your children. You can find from the below which suburbs has train or tram stations:
#2 Cost of Rent:
When you arrive in Australia as a student or migrant, this is important in the initial days to consider. You try to live in the minimal rent as much as possible. Once you identify the suburb from the above map or any referral from friends, try to get into the below websites and go under rent tab and see how much is the minimum rent in the area:
#3 Close to train station:
When you initially move here, living close to train station or bus stop is advisable. This helps not to depend on someone to drop or pick up from the train station. After you selected the suburb, try to locate the streets that are close or minimal walking distance to train or bus stop.
For example: If you have chosen ‘Westmead’ as your suburb to live. The above google map gives you a broad view that it has Train Station (T), Coles Supermarket, Hospital nearby, public school, University and Park close by. The Map shows you every detail of the suburb for you to make decision to live.
#4 Ethnic Group:
If you would like to live within your community and feel less homesick. You can search on the below website where your ethnic group is mostly located and which suburbs they live and who else live in that suburb.
#5 Safe Suburb:
This is bit tricky and confusing. Some populated suburbs are having high crime rates and vice versa. From my understanding, the less populated suburb having more crime rates is not considered safe. Anyway, this helps you to find more information about the suburb and how it is ranked in terms of safety. The below websites shows the domestic and non-domestic crimes recorded in each suburb.
#6 Shared Accommodation
Based on the above, you have decided a suburb, but the rent is very high. You have another alternative; you can find shared accommodation in those suburbs. The website gumtree helps you to find one and there are many Facebook groups these days to seek for help.
Hope the information is helpful in choosing the suburb without any regrets. If you think I have missed out any points please comment them below.
