I live in a suburb of the City of Bankstown. I have everything I need here - local shops, local doctor, dentist, podiatrist and pharmacy. One bank that I use still has a local shop front and the other bank has one at Bankstown where there are bigger shops, a university and a public hospital. My specialist surgeons have rooms in Bankstown.
It is a short train ride to the City of Sydney and Kingsford Smith Airport for national and international flights. The train also takes me to Circular Quay where I can ride the ferries on our magnificent harbour or enjoy the Botanic Gardens where I will be in 10 days time having a free lunch as a guest of the gardeners who are interested in my church's community garden.
I will have lived in the same street, same house, come February next year for 60 years. The modest brick veneer cottage has served Hubby and I well over the years and I have no intention of leaving it any time soon. It goes on being a home for myself, a daughter, her daughter, Katie the elderly cat and four old silkie hens named Betty, Ginger, Goldie and Ruth. I have daily visits from a variety of wild birds that I feed. The neighbours are friendly and when needed, helpful.
The garden is well established with a mix of indigenous and exotic trees and flowering plants. The back garden is secluded and the front has no fences. Anyone can walk up to the front door or through the carport to the back of the house at any time.
I reckon that I am already in paradise.