Newcomer's Guide to Sydney Neighborhood Parramatta
Parramatta is located in Sydney's Western Suburbs – it's about a 40 minute drive from the CBD. Mention ‘Parramatta' to anyone in the inner city and you're likely to encounter ridicule, but don't take it to heart – there's a lot to love about this vibrant suburb.
The People of Parramatta
Sydney as a whole is very multicultural, but Parramatta especially so. If you take a stroll down Parramatta's Church Street, you'll encounter people from India, China, Korea, The Philippines and New Zealand – among other places. It's also a fairly young suburb, with a median age of 30.
Parramatta is predominantly home to families, students, young professionals and tradespeople. During the week, it is a bustling hub of office workers, but it's a little quieter on the weekends.
One of Parramatta's quirks is that it tends to attract young men in sports cars – the thump of subwoofers is a sound you'll quickly become familiar with. And while it is, for the most part, a perfectly safe place to live, we don't recommended that you visit the train station late at night on your own.
Housing Options and Prices in Parramatta
The average weekly rent you'll pay for a one bedroom apartment in Parramatta is $350, which is cheap when compared with the $600+ you'll pay for a place in the CBD.
You main accommodation options will be apartments – ranging from small studios through to larger two and three bedroom apartments.
If you don't mind walking a short distance (around 10-20 minutes) from the train station, there are also houses for rent in Parramatta, usually with around two or three bedrooms. This way you'll get to live the ‘Australian Dream' with your very own yard.
Getting There
Parramatta Train Station is a major stop on the Western Line, providing express services to the city that'll get you to Central in around 30 minutes.
The train station also connects with a bus interchange, providing services to the North Western suburbs of Sydney, as well as to the city.
If you own a car, get ready to endure some traffic. The major road that connects Parramatta with Sydney City is the M4 Western Motorway, which can become heavily congested during peak hour and also on the weekends.
Alternatively, you could catch a ‘RiverCat' ferry from Parramatta to Circular Quay; a scenic journey that takes around 90 minutes.
Things to Do in Parramatta
Church Street
Church Street is where the locals come to eat, drink and be merry – with plenty of great bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Riverside Theatre
As the name suggests, the Riverside Theatre is situated right next to Parramatta River – on Church Street. There are always plenty of plays, musicals, dance and music performances happening here, and it's close to a number of great dining options.
Parramatta Park
Rich with history, Parramatta Park is a sprawling natural haven that's perfect for riding your bike or enjoying a picnic beside the river.
Parramatta Westfield
Supposedly the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere, Parramatta Westfield is packed full of shops and eateries – as well as a huge cinema.
About the Author: Louise Carter is a blogger, copywriter and poet who is also currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Western Sydney.
What Are You Shipping to Sydney When You Move? Do You Know Yet?
The truth is you don’t need to know right now, for sure, what’s going with you.
But you have to get your shipping quote ASAP, especially now.
Why? Because international shipping companies need to schedule your shipment to Australia far in advance, some ask for 6 months in advance. Yes, COVID has changed everything, including international shipping.
When filling out the form below…
- You don’t need a street address for where you’re moving to, only the city and country. What they really want to know is the major shipping port.
- You don’t need exact dates right now. Go with your best guess.
- Don’t bother with calculating your volume. Use one of the estimates below for your estimated volume.
- Studio or 1 Bedroom —> 20 m3
- 2 Bedroom —> 25 m3
- 3 Bedroom —> 30 m3
- 4 Bedroom or 3 Bedroom + Car —> 50 m3
- Use your “real” contact details for BOTH phone and email. Yes, the form is secure. If you don’t use your real contact details, then they can’t get in touch with you for your quote. Makes sense, right?
