[mrsjessop]

I am thinking of taking a job in Parramatta but a bit put off by the idea of battling the traffic to get to and from work from the north shore and also having to find parking once there. Any thoughts on which way best to go, what times, where to park etc. I don't know the exact location of the building but it will probably be around that CBD area, near the train station.

Would also need a new gym. I like small, personal gyms rather than big horrors like Fitness First. Any ideas on that?

Thanks!

[yabbadabbadoo]

I live in Melbourne now but lived in Sydney most of my life. I once helped a friend housesit in Willoughby or Chatswood, can't remember which. I worked in Parramatta at the time and the drive was ridiculous. There was just no quick way and certainly no short way. Don't even mention parking, it was all too hard. This was 17 or so years ago but I can't imagine it being any better nowadays. In fact I can't believe it was that long ago, the sheer annoyance of it all is still so clear.

[howdo]

There is no parking in Parramatta CBD apart from the Westfield. Some buildings have a carpark for employees but public carparking is non existent. Can you not catch a train?

[in(s)ane]

There are direct trains from North Shore Line through to Parramatta.

If I were to drive I would go via Cumberland highway. Depending on where you are on North Shore, either va Pennant Hills Rd up against the traffic along the M2. When we did the trip from Upper Nth Shore to Westmead kids, we often had to go in peak hour and it was pretty yuk.

Re gym, body shape at Gordon is awesome, again depends where you are though.

[tibs]

As PPs said parking in Parramatta CBD is pretty minimal yet despite that the traffic going into Parramatta of a morning is usually gridlocked in all directions. The way you'd go would depend where on the north shore you were coming from but you'd probably end up on Pennant Hills Rd or Victoria Rd. If the job is near the station it may be better driving to a station and training it in. As for gyms there is a Fernwood in Westfields which is the kind of place where the staff know you but obviously a women's gym, not sure if that is what you are after.

[howdo]

Why would anyone drive to Parramatta along Victoria Road in peak hour? *shudders* I used to bus it into work from Northmead due to parking until they inroduced $3 all day parking for Westfield workers. It's not worth driving in along Church street, once Pennant Hills Road hits it ... bah. The whole thing is a gridlock. Besides how would you get to Pennant Hills Road? You're looking at Lane Cove/Epping/Carlingford or Lane Cove/M2. DH used to drive that to get through to Warringah Road and Manly. Not very friendly ...

Train all the way.

[~Mintie~]

There are a few public carparks other than Westfields but honestly, you are insane if you're thinking about driving! What a nightmare! People from my work park in Horwood Pl secure parking but I can't remember how much it costs. As the PPers have said you can get trains that start at Berowra and go right through to Penrith, I would consider that over driving.

[mrsjessop]

Hmm, thanks for that. Had kind of ruled out public transport due to how long it would take (I already drive to the station and train it into the city which can take up to an hour door to door and is about my limit). Choices really between driving (if any better) and not taking the job. The job is no extra pay than what I am on now but permanent as opposed to 2 year contract and sounds interesting and good career prospects after I have done it for about a year. The Parramatta factor is the real sticking point though. FWIW, I do have the option of doing different hours, eg, starting work at 7.30am and finishing at 3.30 or 4pm which might help a bit with the traffic? I would be coming from around Wahroonga/Turramurra so think West Pennant Hills Rd the most direct route but someone else said that Ryde Rd would be better. Will ahve to look up those other routes suggested here. I am from Melbourne originally and this is one bit of Sydney I am not terribly familiar with.

[yabbadabbadoo]

OP the early start wouldn't make a difference. i used to start work at 7:30am and the traffic was still a nightmare.

[mrsjessop]

Thanks for that. Seriously thinking of turning down the job. What a pain!