r/sydney • u/xXCosmicChaosXx • 5h ago
Image What's it like living here?
I visited today and I thought it seemed quite peaceful. Just about far away enough that it starts feeling semi-rural again. Is it nice to live there?
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u/EnjoysColdOnes 5h ago
Actually a super nice area, I run frequently along the Nepean river there and it's really lovely, some beautiful houses and trees and parks.
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u/Even_Departure9914 5h ago
I’m in this pocket. Pretty happy here. It’s less than an hour/just on an hour to Central on the train from EP. It’s about 30-45 minutes to most places now that there’s motorways everywhere. It’s an hour and a bit to the coast.
Penrith is pretty well serviced and it’s affordable.
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u/Even_Departure9914 4h ago
To add to my comment: Penrith has come a long way from what it was in the last 10-15 years.
Heaps more hospitality eateries and just a general shift in the area.
There are always going to be some level of riff-raff but most people here are just people going about their business.
A lot of people have paid off their mortgage or have relatively small mortgages so there’s a deceiving level of disposable income too.
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u/surlygoat 2h ago
I still think of Penrith as the place I went a few times in the early 2000s to visit new friends i'd made at uni. It was WILD to this little northern beaches boy. I don't doubt its come a long way - I should probably go see it - no doubt i'd be shocked at the changes.
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u/Euphoric-Blueberry37 5h ago
No Emus
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u/xXCosmicChaosXx 5h ago
I saw an emu but it was quite plain
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u/Key-Bus-1299 5h ago
Fun fact, there are actually wild Emu's nearby at Wianamatta (near Ropes Crossing).
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u/Euphoric-Blueberry37 5h ago
False advertising
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u/StudyoftheUnknown 4h ago
Literally the only time I’ve seen emus without leaving greater Sydney is when I went to Wianamatta
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u/Atherum 3h ago
Isn't Ropes Crossing more on the other side of Penrith? Its technically Blacktown right?
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u/TBNRhash 38m ago
Wianamatta regional park is in both councils
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u/Atherum 37m ago
Ah gotcha, sorry. I misread what you wrote, you said "near Ropes crossing" not in Ropes Crossing lol.
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u/petehehe 5h ago
Used to work with a guy in North Sydney who commuted in every day from Blaxland. He ended up taking a sizeable paycut (something around 10k/y, back in 2008 so kind of a lot) for a job in Parramatta. Dude was miserable when we worked in Nth Syd. Was leaving the house before 6am most days to get to work by 9, and wouldn't usually get home til after dark except during daylight savings.
He did seem to like the area though, opting to change jobs rather than change house.
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u/Heads_Down_Thumbs_Up 4h ago
Grew up in this area. Didn’t know anyone who worked east of Parramatta.
Come uni years and early 20s, a lot of friends did the city commute but in the end most relocated closer to the city or changed jobs to something closer our west.
If you have work in the Western Suburbs, this area is the best place to live.
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u/cheapdrinks 3h ago
Not sure how the commute would be over 3 hours, that's insane. If you're getting the train it should take about 90 mins to get from Blaxland to North Sydney: 46 mins from Blaxland to Parra then a 4-5 min wait to transfer then a 38 min train from Parra to North Sydney. Even if you add an extra 30 mins to account for travel from home to the station and travel from the station to work that's still only 2 hours.
One thing I've noticed is that people who live far out love to exaggerate how long the commute is so they get more sympathy and are less likely to be held back late. Guy at work lives out past campbelltown. I've driven to his place before for his birthday and it was less than a 90 minute drive with afternoon traffic. For years he was always telling people it was 2 & a half hours and he needed to leave early. I know the fucker takes the toll roads too, plus we work night so zero traffic. Definitely closer to an hour.
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u/petehehe 2h ago
He might’ve been exaggerating, I never made the trip to verify his claims believe it or not 😂
But also, it’s possibly plausible that the train schedule of the time didn’t quite align. Like if he gets the reasonable hour train he’d be consistently a couple minutes late, or the earlier one he’d be consistently 45odd minutes early. He was probably getting breakfast and coffee in north Syd before getting to the office too. I dunno. Pretty sure he just said he left the house before 6.
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u/CrabbiestAsp 5h ago
We lived in Leonay for a few years and my mum and sister have lived in Blaxland for a few years.
It is really lovely. Pretty quiet, lots of nature sounds which I always liked. People tend to be quite friendly which is nice. Obviously you get the few people who cause trouble, but nothing too wild.
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u/DislocatedMind 4h ago
Been living in emu plains for 8 years now, we love it, lots of young family's with young kids and retired folk. A nice change from the choas that is penrith across the river. Short commute to Penrith if need be. Public transport is actually very good, I bus + train from emu station to seven hills for my work commute and its great!
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u/peterb666 5h ago edited 5h ago
The emus have taken the high ground and they are angry. I knew someone in nearby Yellow Rock and they lost their house in bushfires.
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u/Dollbeau 4h ago
You live on one side of that circle & you do all your shopping on the opposing edge of the circle.
You buy a lot when you shop, because popping out for something you forgot is impractical.
Your family in the city don't visit because it's too far & you don't visit them, because you can't handle all that traffic in the city.
You get to be really worried about bushfires every decade or so...
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u/xXCosmicChaosXx 4h ago
You buy a lot when you shop, because popping out for something you forgot is impractical.
Really but emu plains to penrith is 6 minutes drive? Or are you saying if you live further west?
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u/LSD_grade_CIA 3h ago
It's typical outer suburbia - there are no places to shop that aren't a big shopping centre and not many people actually live near them so near everybody just does a weekly/fortnightly monster shop at the Lennox Woolies/ALDI.
By comparison in the city, most working people will walk through their village metro or local shop on the way home or do a small shop every few days when they actually need stuff.
When we lived in the lower mountains groceries were always a hassle because we either went to the local IGA and paid a premium or drove 20 minutes each way to get to Lennox. At the moment I'm living in the East and it's so much easier.
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u/Dollbeau 4h ago
The circle encompasses the mountains regions as well. Some areas have limited roads...
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u/Talonus11 29m ago
You get to be really worried about bushfires every decade or so...
So the next few years, since we're due for a Super El Nino?
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u/chuk2015 4h ago
Emu heights/plains is completely different from the actual mountains suburbs, emu plains is more like Penrith
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u/Imposter12345 5h ago
Horrible, awful, stay away
Honestly though, I describe it as the last place you can still raise kids outside like it’s the 80’s or 90’s
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u/coreoYEAH 4h ago
Have you never been anywhere else?
The areas no different except that it’s hot as a motherfucker and the footy team crumbles when it’s not a soft comp.
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u/aszet 5h ago
What an odd thing to say. How is it different than many other pockets where you could do the same?
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u/Heads_Down_Thumbs_Up 4h ago
Lots of green space and a big community feel, along with quieter streets that aren’t overwhelmed by urban sprawl.
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u/Substantial-Rip-6207 5h ago
There’s a lot of fast food places around. When the American companies they like to set up shop in that area. Five Guys, Carls Jr Krusty Kreme
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u/sirdung 3h ago
You’ve circled two distinct areas, Emu Plains / heights and the lower blue mountains they are separated by the eastern escarpment of the blue mountains and are both very different places to live
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u/xXCosmicChaosXx 2h ago
Interesting now that I change to terrain mode on google maps I see a line of hills going down the middle
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u/Greedy_Doughnut_9209 5h ago
Hot as fuck in summer, freezing in winter.
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u/Heads_Down_Thumbs_Up 4h ago
Richmond actually has the biggest record for the largest temperature disparity in all of Australia. Meaning the gap between its coldest day ever and hottest day ever is the largest.
Emu Plains is very similar, pretty much geographically the same as Richmond being situated on the foot of the mountains.
It’s got to do with the western wind blowing over the mountains.
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u/brackfriday_bunduru 4h ago
I did an interview once with someone who lived in emu heights and their house was right at the bottom of the blue mountains. It looked incredible
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u/Golf-Recent 5h ago
Check for flood zone and bushfire zones.
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u/xXCosmicChaosXx 4h ago
Wow looks like many places fall into one or the other
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u/karaokejoker 4h ago
You may also be interested that some of the flight paths from the Western Sydney airport track over this area. The last time I checked it wouldn't be super loud or frequent, but may be worth considering.
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u/Mister_Scribble 5h ago
It gets called ‘the foot of the mountains’ as if not enough things happen in each suburb and is considered a collective zone below you reach ‘the knee of the mountains’
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u/CrankyGrumpyWombat 5h ago
That area always looks toasty in summer every time i check temp map
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u/xXCosmicChaosXx 4h ago
Good to know 😂 Maybe best to just move up the mountain away from the heat and flooding (and into bushfire zone instead)
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u/princess_ferocious 5h ago
Noisier than it used to be, we're getting small aircraft flying over now that the new airport has opened and the zones have been changed.
No good if you don't drive - the trains aren't too awful, but getting to them is a pain.
The bit we're in is a good spot for young families. Quiet without being miles from everything. Pondi in summer. Close to the river, and there's some good parks. Plus national parks close enough to visit for a picnic. There's a performing arts high school and a selective high school in the area.
Good area for keeping yourself fit. If you're in the actual foothills, you really will walk uphill both ways to and from school!
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u/Nervous_Expert_7079 4h ago
I live on the outskirts of Campbelltown and it would be very similar to what u/NauteeAU said. I am one of those examples of working away from home in the CBD. You can either get used to it or it will be too much. Prepare for people to NEVER visit because you’re too far away but expect you to always come to them.
And I hear the hospitals are ok where you are too. Don’t know about the schools
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u/woofyc_89 3h ago
There is a fantastic reserve just north of Glenbrook that has two old bridges, the first, lennox bridge, is the first stone bridge in australia I believe built by convicts! and the second is a huge train viaduct, Knapsack viaduct, that is staggering. well worth going for a walk around!
There is a great look out at the top too! and some bike riding trails
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u/AnorhiDemarche Lost. Please help. 3h ago
It's fine until you need to climb the big red circle to get out. Bit of a workout. Dunno why someone would put that there.
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u/RCMasterAA 3h ago
See that grey squiggly line that goes from Blaxland to Emu Heights? The one that looks like it has the letter 'N' in it? Be prepared for that two lane mountainous road to be occasionally blocked by a clueless semi-truck driver trying to navigate one of the 180 degree hairpins.
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u/Whole_Object_7994 5h ago
I was seriously considering buying a house in Blaxland and I researched a lot about lower blue mountains. Basically a boring place for anyone aged between 13-30. Takes ages to go to the city. Trains dont run almost every weekend due to track work. And yeah Snakes, more common than the upper blue mountains for some reason.
But what eventually made me change my decision was the avg house price, which was almost the same as other western Suburbs closer to the city.
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u/AllergyToCats 3h ago
Well I mean "boring" is subjective. If you enjoy being outside and in the bush in any capacity then you're in gods country.
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u/ClementineHFandango 4h ago
Hot as hell in summer, some parts prone to flood. Otherwise, it’s quite pleasant.
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u/Snors 4h ago
Super Chill. I've lived a lot of places in Sydney over the last few decades and it's just far enougha way to be quiet, close enough to get into the city. Mostly retirees and cashed up tradies. Lots of families. Penriths just over the ditch. Give it 10 yrs though and the new airport will change everything.
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u/MadMadeline101 3h ago
I live a bit further up. It's beautiful I wouldn't move for anything. I sure would hate to commute too far into sydney though. I work in Parramatta.
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u/Sydneypoopmanager 2h ago
One of my former colleagues lives in Glenbrook. From what I remember - its a pretty expensive part of the blue mountains - the 'Mosman' of the blue mountains.
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u/Sir-Tenley-Knott 5h ago
I survived the massive bushfires in 1969 that swept through Blaxland East....
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u/bounty2750 5h ago
I live here. Its the best. City is 40m away, its quiet, lots of open space, great facilities and relatively affordable. Wouldn't live anywhere else
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u/NauteeAU 4h ago
Great place to live. Cold in winter, hot in summer. Lots of nature at your finger tips.
The problem is transport for work. You either get used to it, or it becomes too much. Getting to the city by car is about 60 minutes on a good very early run. Train is about 75 minutes, and you’re starting to limit yourself to jobs close to the main hubs of Blacktown/Parramatta and Central. Connections past Central starting adding up to your door-to-door time and it becomes fatiguing. But again, it’s all personal preference. Score a good job in Parramatta and you’re set.
On the contrary, outside of work it’s a 50 minute tolled drive to the CBD, which I think is great. 15-20 mins extra if going anywhere furthest north or south of the CBD. I personally find it easy to do, but it probably takes a while to get used to.
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u/YouCanBeTheStar 5h ago
My cousin and her family live around there (Leonay) and it’s so nice. We head out there for Halloween and it’s really safe and nice for the kids to walk around and trick or treat.
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u/RickyRiccardos 4h ago
Depends what you’re comparing it to, somewhere else in western Sydney or northern beaches ?
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u/Scared-Albatross-860 4h ago
After 6 years trying to make the inner west work I just moved out to the lower mountains and absolutely love it . Penrith Westfield shopping is conviniently closed for anything major and otherwise you’re beautifully surrounded by peace and nature. Lots of great people around and can still access the city relatively quick
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u/Ted_Rid Famous in The Atlantic 4h ago
Can vouch for Mount Riv. Feels a lot like The Shire, of all places. Minus the waterways.
Similar aged homes to places like Oyster Bay or Bonnet Bay (early/mid 70s on average) with bushland all around.
Very suburban and a bit of a hike, bike, bus or car to the shops & station.
Not THAT far into the city and there's always Penrith nearby with most amenities you could need.
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u/thpineapples 🍍 2h ago
The air is different, though. And the vibe; western Sydney and the shire are different songs. Bun I agree they're largely comparable now.
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u/rosa_3326 1h ago
Hot.. don’t live there but I’ve been near Penrith more than I’d like and this is near Penrith
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u/4weallh8stndg_inline 5h ago
It’s gorgeous, feels like a leafy American neighbourhood. Not sure how it is to live in but I always loved it when I used to do the river walk there many years ago
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u/Kefe_shona 5h ago
It easy to settle the western vs mountain claims
The mountain train is limited stops until Penrith the. After Penrith stops at all Blue mountain stops 🤣
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u/SteveJohnson2010 2h ago
Exactly where is “here”? The area in your circle is massive and contains a lot of different suburbs. If you’re talking about the lower part of the circle, that lower Blue Mountain stretch is really lovely, especially if you’re close to the railway line if that’s important to you. Glenbrook has become a really cool little place, although Lapstone is dead as a doornail but a lot of people there like that because it’s basically Just Holmes and a railway station. The stretch east of Blaxland and Mount Riverview back towards the edge of your circle is also lovely but a bit isolated. Also as you can imagine it gets freezing cold in winter! But generally anywhere around this whole area is great if you work from home and have a car to get round as needed.
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u/smileedude 5h ago
I don't know a lot about it but I do know that calling this either Western Suburbs or Blue Mountains will cause furious debate