Hornsby has a low violent crime rate and a low property crime rate for Sydney.
Hornsby is a large, popular self-contained suburb in Sydney's Upper North Shore that has something for everyone: access to nature, good shopping and dining, a variety of housing…the list goes on. It's a relatively multicultural place with a large Indian and Asian population.
Shopping here is dominated by the Westfield Hornsby mall, which has hundreds of stores, supermarkets, a number of restaurants, and a cinema. Around the Westfield are other businesses, shops, and dining options. Because this is the main commercial hub in the area, Hornsby tends to attract shoppers from the surrounding residential suburbs.
There are a lot of recreation choices here. The Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre has three heated pools (including an indoor pool), a café, a gym, and a water slide and offers swimming lessons for kids. Both memberships and one-time usage are available. You'll find several parks around town with playgrounds.
But the crown jewel of Hornsby has to be the Berowra Valley National Park, which makes up most of the suburb's western border. This sprawling 4000 hectare (15 sq mi) park offers up stunning scenery and great bushwalking. Nearby is a mountain biking trail.
Housing depends on what part of Hornsby you're in. Along the B83 – the six lane road that cuts north/south through the suburb – you'll find large apartment buildings. On the blocks adjacent to the B83 you'll still find apartments, though at a smaller scale: 3-4 stories tall in general. Once you go another block or two away, however, you'll come across tree-lined streets of single family homes.
For those with children there are a number of excellent public and private schools in the area.
Public transit is convenient here. Hornsby has its own train station and is serviced by several bus lines as well.
Hornsby is bordered on the north by Hornsby Heights, on the east by Asquith and North Wahroonga, on the south by Waitara, Normanhurst, and Thornleigh, and on the west by Westleigh and Berowra Valley National Park.
Commute:
CBD: 27.3 km / 45-100 minutes by car / 50-55 minutes by transit
Chatswood: 14.6 km / 25-55 minutes by car / 25-30 minutes by transit
Parramatta: 18.9 km / 35-65 minutes by car / 50 minutes by transit
Photo Credits: Thanks to @rish26win96, @crowley_dog, @yohornsby, @chrisgresh, @qiaoyuanlong, @christopherbcooper, @la__howell, @jakandic_, @jason._.sydney, @kevincarldavid, @ssiwen, @stephyaqueveque, @northshoremums, @gmuru, @ce3p0, @smcreationsau, @rondellous, @mccaudre for your great photos of this neighborhood!