Best Places to Live in Sydney for Students

The best places to live in Sydney as a student are Newtown, Camperdown, Glebe, Redfern, Chippendale, Ultimo, Kensington, Kingsford, and Randwick. Where you live can make a big difference to both your weekly rent and your daily routine in Sydney. This guide compares popular areas near the University of Sydney (USYD), the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Best Student Areas in Sydney at a Glance

There are many popular student areas in Sydney, each area offering a different balance of rent, commute, and lifestyle. Newtown suits students who want a lively area, Marrickville is a more budget-friendly choice, Camperdown is ideal for students who want to live close to USYD, and Kensington is convenient for UNSW students. Use the table below to compare these areas and find the best fit for your budget, university, and daily routine.

Best Areas to Live Near the University of Sydney

The best areas to live near the University of Sydney include Camperdown, Newtown, Glebe, and Redfern. These suburbs are close to the university’s main Camperdown and Darlington campuses and offer plenty of student accommodation Sydney.

Newtown

Newtown is a convenient area for USYD students who want a short commute and plenty of places to eat and shop.
King Street is the centre of daily life here. You will find cafés, restaurants, independent shops, and late-night food along the main strip. Pastizzi Cafe, Brewtown, and Black Star Pastry are familiar names for coffee, breakfast, or a quick treat, so students do not need to head into the CBD every time they want to eat out. The University of Sydney is within walking distance, which makes Newtown particularly convenient for students who do not want to rely on public transport every day.

The average rent in Newtown commonly falls around A$300–450 per week, with higher-priced options also available. Students should compare whether bills, furniture, and private bathrooms are included before judging the price.

Best for: USYD students who value walkability, food, and an active neighbourhood.

Camperdown

Camperdown is one of the closest areas to the University of Sydney. The suburb sits directly beside the university’s Camperdown campus, so students can keep their daily commute very short. The area also connects easily with neighbouring Newtown, Glebe, and Annandale.

Camperdown also has its own places to eat and unwind. Camperdown Commons combines a community garden with a café and dining space, while Deus Cafe and Gardener’s Lodge Cafe are useful nearby stops for coffee or brunch. Accommodation can cost more than in some surrounding suburbs because of the location. In 2026, the room prices at Camperdown sit around A$300–420 per week, depending on the property and room type.

Best for: Students who prioritise the shortest possible commute to USYD.

Glebe

Glebe is a good choice for USYD students who want to live near campus in a residential neighbourhood. Glebe Point Road forms the main local strip, with cafés, small shops, bookshops and everyday services. Sappho Books, Café & Bar is one of the area’s recognisable spots, combining a second-hand bookshop with a café and bar. Glebe Point Road also has Gleebooks, Cornstalk Bookshop, and other independent businesses, while Glebe Markets add another regular weekend stop.

Glebe also sits close to the University of Sydney, giving students easy access to the inner city. Room prices vary considerably between shared houses and managed student accommodation. The current room for rent in Glebe starts around A$280 per week, while furnished or better-equipped rooms can cost A$350 or more.

Best for: USYD students who want a neighbourhood feel without moving far from campus.

Redfern

Redfern is a good choice for students who want strong rail connections and easy access to several inner-city campuses. Redfern Station connects the suburb to Central and other parts of Sydney, and the area is also close to USYD and UTS. Students can therefore consider Redfern even when their university is not within walking distance.

The local food scene is another practical advantage. Three Williams is a well-known brunch spot, while Breadfern is a convenient stop for bread and baked goods. Students who like trying different cuisines can also find ramen at RaRa and modern Middle Eastern food at Kepos Street Kitchen. Rent prices at Redfern start at around A$310 per week, with furnished rooms and bills-included options often costing more.

Best for: Students who value transport connections and want to keep several universities within reach.

Chippendale

Chippendale is a good choice for students who want easy access to both USYD and UTS. Apartments for rent in Chippendale range from around A$295 to A$425 per week.

The suburb sits between Broadway and the University of Sydney, making it a practical choice for students who want to stay close to both campuses. Broadway Shopping Centre and Central Park also provide convenient access to supermarkets, shops, and food outlets.

For food, Spice Alley on Kensington Street is the obvious local landmark, with hawker-style Asian food ranging from Malaysian and Chinese dishes to noodles and dumplings. White Rabbit Gallery is another useful reference point, especially for students who want something to do locally without spending much; admission to the gallery is free.

Best for: Students choosing between USYD and UTS, or students who want a central location.

Best Areas to Live Near UNSW

The best areas to live near UNSW are Kensington, Kingsford, Randwick, and Coogee. Kensington and Kingsford are closest to the main campus, while Randwick offers a quieter area and Coogee gives students easy access to the beach.

Kensington

Kensington is one of the best areas for UNSW students who want to live close to campus.
UNSW occupies a large part of the suburb, and the L2 and L3 light rail services provide direct access to the university. Students can also use buses along Anzac Parade and surrounding routes.

Food is part of daily life for students here. The Anzac Parade strip around Kensington and Kingsford has a dense mix of Asian restaurants and cheap eats, while students can also eat on campus. UNSW’s own 2026 guide highlights places such as Stellini Pasta Bar, Sharetea, Home Ground Kiosk and Cafe Brioso for inexpensive food and drinks.

A private room in Kensington can range from roughly A$315 to A$565 per week. Purpose-built student accommodation can cost more; for example, UniLodge Kensington lists 2026 rooms from around A$588 per week, with bills and Residential Life membership included.

Best for: UNSW students who want to minimise their daily commute.

Kingsford

Kingsford is a good choice for UNSW students who want more accommodation choices along Anzac Parade.
The suburb sits immediately south of UNSW and has frequent public transport, restaurants and everyday shops. Accommodation ranges widely because the area includes shared houses, private rooms and managed student residences.

Anzac Parade is a major part of daily life here. Ayam Goreng 99 is known for Indonesian charcoal-grilled chicken, while Ramen Manpuku is a popular choice for Japanese noodles. The strip also has dumpling, noodle, Chinese and other Asian restaurants that cater heavily to the local student population.

Kingsford offers some off-campus apartments below A$300 per week, while private rooms with better facilities can exceed A$500.

Best for: UNSW students who want a wide range of price and room options.

Randwick

Randwick is a good choice for UNSW students who want a quieter area with easy access to the university. Room prices generally start around A$300 per week, with ensuite rooms and newer accommodation costing more.

The suburb has a large local shopping area around Randwick Junction, while the light rail provides a direct connection towards UNSW and Kingsford. Randwick also puts students closer to Coogee and Sydney’s eastern beaches.

The Spot precinct is one of the area’s main local spots. It has cafés, restaurants and bars, including Kürtősh, Maybe Frank, Del Punto and Soul Burger. Students can also find cheaper food along Belmore Road.

Best for: Students who want access to UNSW without living directly beside campus.

Coogee

Coogee is a good choice for students who want to live near the beach and can accept a longer commute to UNSW. Room prices are generally higher than the cheapest options around Kensington and Kingsford, with indicative listings around A$300–450 per week.

Coogee Beach is the main attraction, while buses connect the suburb with UNSW and other eastern suburbs. Students should therefore consider the extra travel time before choosing Coogee purely for its location.

Daily life centres around the beach and the streets behind it. A Man and His Monkey is a popular café, while Sugarcane and Osteria Coogee are among the area’s established food options. The suburb also has plenty of cafés, bakeries and casual places to eat within walking distance of the beach.

Best for: Students who put beach access and lifestyle ahead of the shortest commute.

Best Areas to Live Near UTS

The best areas to live near UTS are Ultimo, Haymarket, Chippendale, and Surry Hills. Ultimo is closest to the Broadway campus, Haymarket offers easy access to Central Station and Chinatown, Chippendale is close to both UTS and USYD, and Surry Hills suits students who want to live in a busy inner-city area.

Ultimo

Ultimo is one of the best areas for UTS students who want to walk to campus. Student accommodation in Ultimo ranges from around A$280 per week for private rooms to more than A$470 for ensuite or better-equipped accommodation.

UTS’s Broadway campus sits in the suburb, while Central Station is only a short walk away. Students can also reach Chinatown, Darling Harbour and the CBD without relying heavily on public transport.

Ultimo has a practical mix of student food and everyday services. Age.3 on Harris Street has become a recognisable stop for its Japanese-style fried milk bread sandwiches, while Broadway’s shops and food outlets give students plenty of options close to home.

Best for: UTS students who want to walk to class and stay close to Central Station.

Haymarket

Haymarket is a good choice for students who want to stay close to UTS, Central Station and Chinatown.
The suburb sits directly beside Ultimo and provides quick access to campus, shops and public transport. Chinatown and Paddy’s Markets also give students plenty of affordable food options.

This is one of the areas where students can easily build food into their daily routine. Mamak is known for Malaysian street food, while Kowloon Cafe, Hansang, Mr Chen Beef Noodle and Gelato Messina are among the familiar names around Chinatown and Haymarket.

Best for: Students who want a central location with strong public transport.

Surry Hills

Surry Hills is a good choice for UTS students who want an inner-city neighbourhood within walking distance of campus. The area is not usually the first choice for students with a very tight budget, but it can work well for students who value location and lifestyle.

The suburb sits east of Central Station and has a strong café, restaurant, and bar scene. Crown Street is the main reference point, with independent shops and food venues running through the neighbourhood.

For coffee, Single O, Reuben Hills, and Paramount Coffee Project are established names. A.P. Bakery is another popular stop, while Four Ate Five is a familiar brunch choice around Crown Street.

Best for: Students who want an inner-city lifestyle and a manageable walk to UTS.

More Affordable Areas for Students in Sydney

Marrickville, Petersham and Summer Hill offer some of the more affordable student accommodation options in Sydney’s Inner West. You can find rooms from around A$275–350 per week, while still having easy access to supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and public transport.

The trade-off is a longer commute to UTS and central campuses compared with living in Ultimo or Chippendale.

Marrickville

Marrickville gives students more affordable accommodation while keeping the inner city within reach. You can find a single room in Marrickville starting around A$275–350 per week, depending on the property and whether bills are included.

The suburb has a strong local food scene, supermarkets and public transport connections. Students can reach UTS and other central campuses by train or bus, although the journey takes longer than living in Ultimo or Chippendale.

The main streets are also part of what makes Marrickville different from a purely student-focused suburb. Illawarra Road and Marrickville Road have Vietnamese, Greek and other multicultural food businesses. Cafe Nho, Banh Cuon Ba Oanh, Athena Cake Shop and Lamia Super Deli are some of the local names worth knowing.

Best for: Students who want to control rent and can accept a longer commute.

Petersham and Summer Hill

Petersham and Summer Hill give students another option in Sydney’s Inner West.

Both suburbs connect with central Sydney by train and sit close to Marrickville, Lewisham and Newtown. They are worth considering when accommodation close to campus exceeds your budget.

Petersham is particularly known for its Portuguese food. Frango, Silva’s and Sweet Belem are established local names, and the concentration of Portuguese restaurants is one reason Petersham is often associated with Sydney’s “Little Portugal”.

Summer Hill has a quieter village feel around its shopping streets. Solstice, Heritage Coffee Brewers and Envy Deli Cafe are familiar local café options, while Tittynope Bakery has recently attracted weekend queues for its small-batch pastries.

Best for: Students who prefer lower-cost Inner West options over living directly beside campus.

How to Choose Student Accommodation in Sydney

You should choose student accommodation in Sydney based on your university, budget, location, room type, and commute. uhomes.com is a student accommodation website where you can search by university, budget, location, room type, and move-in date. The platform lists over 2,310 student properties in Sydney, so you can check different areas and room types based on your needs. You can find ideal Sydney accommodation options using smart filters. For example, if you are looking for USYD student accommodation, you can compare properties in Newtown, Camperdown, Glebe, Redfern, and Chippendale. Start with your university and budget, then narrow your search by commute, room type, and other needs.

Before booking, check the room type, bills, lease length, and move-in date. You can also arrange an online viewing if you cannot visit the property in person. If you are searching from overseas, a consultant can help you check the room before you book.

If something changes before move-in, such as your arrival date or room choice, a uhomes.com consultant can help you contact the property and follow up on the issue. The support also continues after you receive the keys. If you have questions about the property after moving in, you can contact the consultant for help.

Conclusion

The best place to live in Sydney depends on what you need from your accommodation. Newtown, Camperdown and Glebe work well for USYD students, while Kensington, Kingsford and Randwick offer easier access to UNSW. UTS students can look first at Ultimo, Haymarket and Chippendale, while Marrickville and other Inner West suburbs can offer lower-cost alternatives. Start with your university, budget, and preferred room type, then compare the commute, total weekly cost, and lease terms before choosing a property.