Sydney suburbs

There are some lovely harbour beaches on the south-side - Neilsen Park, Milk Beach, Parsley Bay, Camp Cove - in the suburbs of Vaucluse & Watsons Bay. And there's Seven Shillings Beach at Double Bay, though all these places are as far from the city or further than Bondi

But there's no suburb that's sensible walking distance to both the beach and Sydney Uni

What sort of accommodation price range are you lookign at?

This is Woolloomooloo Bay. Swimming not recommended - despite the kids in one of the pics here.

But - there's a beautiful pool there right on W'moo Bay.

Personally, I'd look around Surry Hills - 2-3 kms walk to Sydney Uni and close to bus routes to the beach suburbs.

Swimming in winter, can be done.

But wetsuit and a thick one is a must, or you will need the help of the surf rescue if hypothermia gets you.

You will at Bondi see even in deep winter, people going out to the rocks or in the sea, with surfboards.

The public transport is not so bad during the day, but it can be a bit iffy at nights, there are no visible security staff on the trains, there is only one guard who travels in the last carriage, (some are locked at nights), and you will see a lit blue light above the door where the guard will sit.

S/he does not patrol the train.

Depending on where you end up living, you can sometimes get a 24 hour bus service.

www.131500.com.au has info on public transport.

www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au<BR>www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au<BR>www.sydneyferries.nsw.gov.au<BR><BR>You could get a second hand smallish car if you want, parking will be $$$ though. But it does then give you a wider scope of things you can do. Ah, not forgetting the tolls.

You say you are here to study, so you will be able to do some work, to supplement your living expenses.

Oh, and also, as an overseas student, you will be lucky to be taxed when you work, as eligible for claiming the tax free threshold. Although your employer will take tax out from the first $ earnt, you can claim it back at the end of the tax year, June each year. Unlike WHV holders who get (usually) taxed at $0.29 in the dollar, and likely don't get tax back.

Think of getting a tax file number when you arrive, also when you come, do your research on banks in Aust.

www.domain.com.au<BR>www.realestate.com.au<BR><BR>Also your uni's accom office

Ultimately, don't let your heart dictate where you end up living, you need to consider 1 thing, and one thing only, the amount of rent you can afford.

Ie, its no use staying in one of those modern CBD apartments, if you have to pay $250 for a one bedroomer, you being sole occupant, or you paying $175 to share an aparment in the CBD.

Sharing between students has some merit, as would sharing with working people. Both have plusses and both have minusses.

Why, Daycat, why????

I think sare's idea of bike is good, and either Surry Hills or Waverley would fit the bill (or points btw like Moore Park, East Redfern) . Driving a car to Syd Uni is an idiotic idea. There is no freely available parkign anywhere in the vicinity. But plenty of buses, and train to Redfern if on a train line.

Yes, you need a map. And an idea of budget.