"We have the best of central living without committing to suburbia," she says.

The science teacher at Holy Spirit High School at Bellambi lives in Eastern St with husband, Rafael, also a teacher at the school, and their children.

The family moved into the street in 2005 and into their new home in 2012.

They first lived in the 1913 house on the corner of Gipps and Eastern streets but converted the large block to dual occupancy and now they live in a beach house-style house next door, designed for their family of five girls and one boy, aged 4 to 17.

MORE: The ups and downs of life in scenic Coalcliff

"We live on the border of Keiraville and Gwynneville and enjoy the best of both worlds," says Rafael.

"We have a choice of going to the shops at Gwynneville and Keiraville, which are different in a good way."

The street is a feeder to the university and is busy when classes are on.

"There's a lot of negativity out there about issues like parking and traffic but we feel the university is a positive factor in the community and one of the reasons we chose to live here," says Rafael.

"It is trying to ease those pressures, but there are other stakeholders who have to do their bit like council and other levels of government."

Theirs is an active household, with the CBD and beach only several minutes walk away.

"Our 17-year-old uses the train to go to Sydney and we all use the free shuttle bus," says Lydija.

"We're also regulars at the Botanic Gardens and spend a lot of time there."

They say the street is a mix of residents, many of whom have lived here from the '60s and '70s.

One such neighbour who has lived in the street for 50 years and did not want to be named says university holidays are the best time to live in the street "because it goes back to what it used to be".

"There's no problems with parking during the holidays but during [uni] session friends have to park in my driveway if they want to visit," he says.

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