Kareela and Bardwell Park are the most liveable suburbs in St George and Sutherland Shire, a new study reveals.
Domain has ranked 555 Sydney suburbs based on liveability.
Sixteen indicators were used to determine liveability, including transport, education, traffic, views, cafes and restaurants, proximity to employment hubs and access to the beach and parks.
Kareela came out on top in the Shire, ranked 72 for its open spaces, many bus stops, water views and low crime rate.
But it received below-average scores for culture (close proximity to libraries, museums, galleries and theatres) and shopping.
Briony Evans, who lives at Kareela with her family, agrees the suburb has a great bus route and plenty of public parks.
“A bus route runs through all Kareela that is accessible to all residents,” she said.
“We can easily access all areas of Sutherland shire by car or by public transport.
“Kareela also has many pockets of reserves that are full of native trees, and parks for children. The views are green and leafy.
“And we don’t hear of too many thefts.”
Ms Evans, who also runs a business in the suburb, says the low score for culture and shopping was not a deterrent.
“Hazelhurst gallery and Sutherland Library is a short drive away, and the shopping complex has been under re-development,” she said.
“Although it has taken a long time, it’s delivered a variety of shops to the area.”
Bardwell Park came in first place in St George (ranked 80) – also for its open spaces, bus and train transport and telecommunications coverage.
But it got an average rating for culture, proximity to employment hubs, shops, tree cover and education.
Cameron Hons, 25, lives at Bardwell Park with his parents.
The bushcare volunteer says the suburb has lots of naturally protected open spaces.
“It has [one of] the last remaining bushlands in Sydney, and it is loved and used by residents and tourists who want to see natural beauty in the suburbs,” he said.
“We also have lots of nice parks and reserves nearby, although under threat.
“It’s starting to turn into a concrete jungle, which is sad because trees are making way for development.”
Mr Hons, who is also a musician and filmmaker, says what the suburb lacks in facilities being in close proximity, is made up by attractions in surrounding suburbs.
“Not a lot of cultural activities happen here but there’s lots in Earlwood, which is only a 10 minute walk away,” he said.
“There is no proper supermarket but the closest are only a five minute drive.”
He agrees that Bardwell Park has good phone reception, and while the suburb does not rate well on good access to employment, Mr Hons says nearby public transport systems make it easy to get to Sydney’s CBD.
Sans Souci is the ‘least liveable’ suburb in St George, ranked 387, with low scores for shops, tree cover, topographic variation and rail.
In the Shire, the worse performer is Alfords Point (ranked 350), because of its lack of shops, jobs and places to eat.
SUBURB BREAKDOWN
- Woolooware (ranks 75) for education, water views and proximity to the Bundeena ferry. It also scores well for cafes and restaurants, trains and beach access.
- Cronulla (77), noted for its beaches and transport links. Average score for crime.
- Rockdale (96), recognised mostly for its bus links and education.
- Sutherland (98), solid results in most areas except shops and crime.
- Woronora (102), noted for its tree cover and topographic variation.
- Kogarah (113), solid performer for culture, eating out, transport and education. Traffic is a downside.
- Bonnet Bay (116), high ratings for open space and low crime.
- Miranda (121), retail hot spot with Westfield and above average score for employment. Low score for open space.
- Jannali (132), good train links but underdeveloped bus links, culture and cafes.
- Caringbah (141), good shopping, cafes and restaurants, transport and education. Room for improvement on crime and open spaces.
- Burraneer (142), notable water views and general leafiness.
- Engadine (146), good topographic variation and open space, minimal congestion.
- Gymea (153), close proximity to schools and train access. Moderate scored for culture, buses and crime.
- Loftus (155), top score for low crime rate. Below average for retail.
- Kirrawee (158), high marks for phone coverage. Underdeveloped retail.
- Bexley North (165), strong telecommunications, transport. Poor cafe scene.
- Heathcote (171), low score for employment and retail, and good scores for open spaces.
- Caringbah South (172), good cafes and restaurants and water views. Poor open spaces, bus access and road congestion.
- Hurstville (176), good score for shops and employment, eating out and culture. Low result for open space, main road congestion, crime and tree cover.
- Yarrawarrah (177), great rating for open space, crime and topographic location. Poor retail.
- Allawah (189), plenty of schools. Low score for road congestion.
- Sylvania (200), good shopping and water views. Average rating for transport links.
- Yowie Bay (206), rates well for water views. Below average for culture.
- Bangor (210), good open spaces and low congestion, Limited employment.
- Wolli Creek (216), strong rail links and educational offerings. Poor crime and bus links.
- Woronora Heights (218), good tree cover. Not so great for education and eating out.
- Barden Ridge (229), strong telecommunications and open space. Below average transport.
- Gymea Bay (230), performs well for tree cover and water views.
- Kyeemagh (232), buses and the beach are biggest drawcards. Tree cover is a downside.
- Bexley (235), decent marks in all categories.
- Peakhurst Heights (238), high number of bus stops and plenty of open space. Below average for eating out.
- Narwee (241), railway rockstar and solid education. Poor for shopping.
- Arncliffe (244), rates high for train access and telecommunications coverage. Average performer in road congestion and crime.
- Oatley (247), good scores for train links and river views. Low for culture, buses and road congestion.
- Carss Park (248), excels in close proximity to schools.
- Como (249), good views but poor telecommunications, buses, eating out, shopping and employment.
- Port Hacking (251), high achiever in water views. Let down by proximity to employment.
- Dolans Bay (253), noted for water views.
- Hurstville Grove (259), rates well for open space and buses. Poor retail and dining options.
- Menai (260), outstanding tree cover. Poor transport links and eating out.
- Blakehurst (262), water views and bus stops.
- Carlton (265), top marks for rail links. Below average in road congestion, shops and open space.
- South Hurstville (268), performs well in education. Let down by low open space.
- Oyster Bay (271), low crime rate and great views. Let down by shops and restaurants.
- Lilli Pilli (275), great water views. Poor employment.
- Peakhurst (276), strong bus connections and clear roads.
- Beverley Park (278), high marks for open space.
- Riverwood (280), strong rail links and shops. Below average for crime.
- Sylvania Waters (281), close to beaches and cracking water views.
- Kangaroo Point (282), water views and good shops. Dragged down by lack of open space and education.
- Ramsgate Beach (286), good beaches and bus services.
- Penshurst (289), numerous schools. Less strong in road congestion and culture.
- Illawong (293), low crime and traffic. Minimal culture and job opportunities.
- Ramsgate (303), water views are the main highlight.
- Brighton-Le-Sands (307), good beaches and strong telecommunications coverage.
- Mortdale (310), rates well on its train system. Not so great for traffic.
- Sandringham (313), great open space and low crime rate. Poor education.
- Kingsgrove (316), excellent phone coverage, close to schools and transport, Minimal tree cover.
- Kurnell (318), scores highly for culture, cafes and open space.
- Lugarno (320), low crime rate and excellent topographic variation. Not so impressive on public transport.
- Grays Point (321), good scores across the board but poor proximity to employment hubs.
- Bardwell Valley (322), strong mobile coverage and close to rail links. Below average for eating out.
- Connells Point (327), excellent scores for telecommunications. Lags in culture and shops.
- Kogarah Bay (333), good water views. Low scores for shops.
- Monterey (335), top marks for beaches and low crime.
- Taren Point (337), strong scores for close proximity to beaches. Least impressive on buses and tree covers.
- Kyle Bay (339), good telecommunications coverage. Let down by road congestion and transport.
- Alfords Point (350), lacks in shops, jobs and places to eat but makes up for easy traffic, open space and low crime.
- Dolls Point ( 364), close to beaches and well serviced by buses. Average scores for education and jobs.Sans Souci (387), beach, cafes and water views are biggest drawcards. Ranks low for shops and rail.
Do you agree with the rankings?
