u/Healthy_Editor_6234

I'm currently in Forest Lodge and, honestly, it's time to move on. Despite being a stone's throw from a prestigious university, the vibe here has been surprisingly... unenlightened. Let's just say I've had a colourful personal history, I'm now living a quieter life, and neither version of me has been particularly welcomed by the locals — even without any interaction on my part to justify it. The casual use of "stupid" and "dumbass" as debate-enders from people who presumably brush shoulders with academics daily is a special kind of irony.

I'm not looking for a suburb that tolerates diversity — I want one that's genuinely curious about it.

What I'm after:

- Open-minded, live-and-let-live culture. Or even the quiet neighbourhoods

- People who can disagree without reverting to primary school insults

- A mix of interesting, thoughtful types — creatives, readers, academics, weirdos (affectionately)

- Somewhere that doesn't feel socially repressed

I'm open to both Sydney and Melbourne. Bonus points if it's walkable and has decent coffee. What are your picks, and why?

I'm a typical Filipina looking Asian who was raised in Australia. I have Australian citizenship though I don't really consider myself Australian lately, if I had to compare myself to other 'Australians' that I have recently met (which may mean I need to expand my social circle). I'm almost turning 40yo, single and nowadays keep to myself. I don't often see my relatives overseas nor am I close to them. My parents have recently moved back to the Philippines and my Australian-born brothers still live in Australia.

Also, I have mental health issues, burnt out, barely any savings, and unemployed. As much as I would love to migrate to Japan or China (which I attempted once but failed), it is financially and probably mentally a really bad decision. Where on earth would I get funds or the network for a visa, airplane ticket, accommodation, find work, and not become homeless?

Recently, I've had people tell me to 'go home' or insult me when I'm out, which I think is designed to make me feel really uncomfortable living in the area or country.

I do get annoyed and a little sad, when this happens but I'm unsure what to do, respond or how to feel.

How do other 'Australians' in this predicament cope.

Background: I'm not sure if my problems will fit or be eligible for DSP (considering I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and forced on a CTO and had a few DSP applications rejected). While I'm no longer on CTO or forced on anti-psychotics, currently, I'm struggling with depression and mental health. I've developed some kind of social anxiety as well and have a really hard time in doing the basic chores. I'm taking a low dose of anti-depressants and will be talking to a clinical psychologist soon.

In the meantime, I probably will be requesting a medical exemption from my GP.

Does anyone know how many medical exemptions can be approved until the exemption applications will be rejected by Centrelink? Has anyone been approved for dsp because of depression?