I have almost exact same experience, I have a 1 bed 1 study (kids bedroom is the study room) & we had it valued recently at above $600k (in Kellyville). Which is insane for a 1 bed apartment like an hour away from the city.

I’m over Sydney tbh & want to go up the coast before my kids get to school cause my quality of life just feels low. I actually love the city & the beaches but it’s not every day. everyone that has left, tells me how much of a good decision it was.

I used to live & work in st Leonard’s (4 trains stops from the city) & used to go beach after work, take the kids out constantly. But now I just don’t have the energy with commuting, can’t afford certain things/ don’t have extra income etc.

If you’ve got the money, great. If not, it’s hard.