Moving from Sydney to the Blue Mountains (Wentworth Falls , Leura, Katoomba etc.),can offers some awesome lifestyle advantages over Sydney. Natural beauty, climate and relaxed vibes are the main reason that attracts people to this region. The Upper Blue Mountains is a haven of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, globally recognized for its spectacular landscapes.
As part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, it boasts unique geological formations, ancient eucalyptus forests, and diverse ecosystems.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor activities
This spectacular setting provides endless opportunities for exploration:
- Iconic Scenic Spots: Visitors and locals alike flock to famous lookouts like Echo Point for breathtaking views of the Three Sisters, Lincoln’s Rock, and Govetts Leap, offering sweeping panoramas of the vast valleys and dramatic sandstone cliffs.
- Diverse Outdoor Activities: The region is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with hundreds of kilometers of well-maintained walking tracks ranging from gentle strolls to challenging multi-day hikes. Beyond bushwalking, popular activities include canyoning, abseiling, rock climbing, and mountain biking, catering to various adventure levels.
- Waterfalls and Lush Rainforests: Hidden within the valleys are numerous stunning waterfalls like Wentworth Falls and Katoomba Falls, often accessible via scenic walks that descend into lush, temperate rainforests, providing a cool and immersive experience.
‘Sydney in expensive, Blue Mountains are less so’
This is one of the significant reason for most people’s move to regional areas from the beautiful Sydney. You may be renting, have a mortgage or planning to buy Blue Mountains offer significant advantages.
- Affordability (Relative): While not exactly cheap(For e.g. as of mid 2025, average house in Leura is nearly 1.2mil AUD) it is significantly more affordable than the desirable parts of Sydney. For your money, much larger blocks, character homes and absolutely stunning surrounding nature. There are also parts in Sydney where you could get a place for 1-1.2 mil, but you will be compromising block size, commute, school, amenities and even safety from petty crime.
- Try before you buy: Rental is similarly less expensive here compared to Sydney. To figure if this is the right move, consider renting in your desired area for a few weeks, before committing to a purchase. This should help clear a few things for you, for e.g.
- Do you really really like the mountain lifestyle.
- How are you with the colder weather? I think its absolutely magical but your milage may vary.
- If you are commuting to City a couple of times per week, are you ok with the longish commute.
Visiting Blue Mountains? Please consider staying with us!
‘The Arts Scene’
The Upper Blue Mountains boasts an eclectic and thriving arts scene, deeply woven into the fabric of its unique communities. This vibrant cultural landscape is characterized by:
- Numerous Galleries and Studios: From contemporary showcases like the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and Lost Bear Gallery in Katoomba to intimate local studios and the historic Norman Lindsay Gallery, there’s a constant rotation of exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists.
- Active Creative Communities: Towns like Blackheath and Katoomba are home to a diverse array of artists, musicians, writers, and performers, fostering a supportive environment for creative expression and collaboration. Local art societies, workshops, and open studio events are common.
- Public Art and Festivals: Street art, sculptures, and various public art installations enhance the urban landscape, particularly in Katoomba’s street art walk. The region also hosts a calendar of cultural festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating everything from rhododendrons to local artistic talent.
‘Community vibes’
The Upper Blue Mountains offers a distinctly different community feel compared to Sydney. While Sydney boasts vast, diverse, and often anonymous communities, the Upper Mountains fosters a more interconnected environment:
- Tighter-Knit Localities: Each Upper Mountains town (Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath, etc.) has a strong individual identity and a genuine “village” atmosphere, where residents are more likely to know their neighbors and local business owners.
- Shared Identity and Resilience: The unique geographical setting and shared experiences, particularly around bushfire preparedness and the appreciation for the natural environment, create a strong sense of collective identity and mutual support.
- Active Local Engagement: Community life revolves around local events, markets, volunteer groups, and arts initiatives, encouraging direct participation and fostering deeper social connections than often found in Sydney’s larger, more segmented suburbs.
‘We work from home, several days a week ‘
- Commute to City: If you work from home several days a week, then you can definitely make the commute work for you.
- Train: A train journey from Katoomba/Leura to Central Station is approximately 2 hours and a bit less to Parramatta. Many commuters use this time for reading or work. Trains are very comfortable, and i never had issue finding a seat, this allows me to use this time to do some of my office work. While trains are generally reliable, delays can occur sometimes.
- Car: . Driving will also take around 1.5 to 2 hours to get to the Sydney CBD(via tolls). Commute to Penrith is about 50 mins to, 1 hour to Blacktown and 1.15 mins to Parramatta. Though driving times can vary significantly.
Visiting Blue Mountains? Please consider staying with us!
Check our post for Christmas in July or Yulefest
There are a number of things i couldn’t even talk in detail, but here are some of additional thoughts.
- Significant driver of the Upper Mountains economy. Job opportunities are often concentrated in hospitality, retail, arts, and local services. If you’re seeking employment, research local businesses and industries carefully. Remote work is increasingly common and well-suited to the lifestyle.
- Internet Access: NBN is generally available, with Fibre to the Node (FTTN) being common. Speeds can vary, so it’s wise to check the specific address you’re considering. Fast and reliable internet is crucial if you’re planning to work remotely.
- Schools: The Upper Mountains have a range of public and private schools. Researching specific schools and their offerings (e.g., Katoomba High School, Blue Mountains Grammar School, local primary schools) is important.
- Shopping: While each town has local shops, for larger supermarkets and a wider range of retail, there are beautiful and functional shop in Katoomba, Leura, Wnetworth falls etc.. For anything more substantial, a trip down to Penrith or even further into Sydney will be necessary.
A lot of people moving to Blue mountains have a close connection to Sydney, you might work in Sydney, live in Sydney, or have some other connection to the city. I am from the same cohort, so hopefully some of my thoughts may be relevant to you. Irrespective if you are young person, couple, family or a retiree, I hope you found some value from this article. We would love to hear from you. Please use Facebook to provide any feedback.
Magnolia Short Stays 
Leave a comment