At the risk of sounding racist, are there any particular cultures or groups of ppl you would prefer (or not prefer) to live around? Sydney CBD is good i guess if you want to work in the City and wont have a car to drive around. Surry Hills and Redfern (which is next to Central - also located in the CBD), I'd probably tend to stay away from as there are higher breakin (from what i hear) in that area compared to other nearby CBD locations. Suburbwise - Strathfield - Transport is great, frequent trains to the CBD. Predominately Korean Parramatta - Is ok too, but there are a large majority of Indians (mainly student types - ie messy and loud) living in the units surrounding the station and shopping centre Anywhere on the Bankstown line starting from Campsie heading out west isnt that great (lived in that area all my life), seems to me there are more d!ckheads in the area surrounding those train lines than any othe region, and train service on that sux as well. :)