For many international nurses who make the long journey to Australia, the most iconic and familiar location is the east coast of New South Wales. The pristine beaches of Bondi, Manly and Watsons Bay (and many, many more) are the country’s biggest tourist magnet - and rightly so. While undeniably beautiful, these beachy suburbs are certainly not all that Australia has to offer. Nor are they necessarily the best place to settle if you’re looking for work. There are plenty of highly liveable cities across NSW that are often overlooked due to their distance from the water - but the Western Sydney suburb of Parramatta likely won’t stay overlooked for long. Lead by a NSW Government plan to transform Parramatta into the state’s “next CBD,” the precinct is now one of the largest urban renewal projects in the country. While already a thriving and vibrant area, Parramatta is entering a period of massive change driven by unprecedented government investment into health, education, recreation, and culture and entertainment facilities. If you’re considering the move to Australia as an international nurse, Parramatta offers everything you need in terms of affordability, work placement, lifestyle and liveability. If you’re planning on settling down in Australia in the longer term, Parramatta is one of the best-vale areas available in the Greater Sydney region, largely due to its distance from the congested inner city. For example, a two-bedroom unit in Bondi Beach will cost an average of $800 AUD per week. Popular inner-city suburbs such as Surry Hills or Paddington will also set you back around $650 AUD per week for the same deal. Meanwhile, Parramatta offers a well located, two-bedroom apartment or house for an average of between just $480 and $500 AUD per week – a massive saving! That said, don’t let the distance from inner Sydney put you off. Parramatta is the major transport hub of Western Sydney and is easily accessible by bus, train and ferry services. All lines are extremely frequent, and a single train will have you in the centre of Sydney from Parramatta within 30 minutes. That will only become easier as the government’s expansions continue, with plans in place to significantly improve connectivity both between Western Sydney suburbs and between Parramatta and other major Sydney regions through a new light rail track in the next few years. Parramatta is truly the foodie capital of Western Sydney, boasting dozens of hidden gems throughout the area. There are some incredible bars, cafes and restaurants on every corner - but its location outside of the crowded CBD also means you won’t be forking out much cash to enjoy one of these great venues. There’s also plenty of entertainment to pick from when you’re looking for some fun. The city’s famous Riverside Theatre plays host to some of the biggest local and international acts in comedy, theatre and live music all year round. Not to mention, Parramatta’s many beautiful parks, bike and walking tracks, cinemas and sport facilities will easily keep you busy every day of the week. As a nurse, you certainly won’t struggle to find work in this suburb. With a population of roughly 235,000 people, demand for nurses and community support workers in Parramatta is incredibly high. Not to mention the local major hospital, Westmead, is set to receive a $900 million upgrade over the next 10 years, bringing hundreds of new health jobs to the area with it. Either way, Health Solutions Group Australia is here to help you with everything regarding your employment. To find out how you can become a nurse with Health Solutions Group Australia, visit the link below! Find out more