Real estate agent Carlie Ziri is sitting in her office in the middle of the city, going through the bundle of files of people who've chosen to rent homes in the heart of Sydney's CBD. For her, it's no surprise that it has become one of the most popular places in Sydney to rent. "It's such a convenient lifestyle with everything just five minutes from your front door and you are surrounded by the harbour," she says. Ziri gestures towards the windows to the busy streets outside and the water beyond and smiles. "Can it get any better than this?" There are many people who feel exactly the same: 27,681 to be precise. The City of Sydney Council's estimate of people now living in its CBD is up from 7300 in June 1995. The growth in CBD dwellers has been spectacular, largely driven by the number of new apartments built in the city over the past 10 years. That came about partly because of the fall in the commercial property market and partly as a result of council and NSW Government policies to give developers incentives to build and to encourage people to move back into the city to reinvigorate the centre. It's a movement that's also been helped by demographic changes, with empty-nesters relocating to smaller central units and more affluent migrants wanting to live in the city. "The 'Living City Program' from Frank Sartor's day encouraged many people to live in the city and added a level of services that has been very good for the whole place," says Chris Johnson, the director of urban renewal at the NSW Department of Planning. "You need a diversity of people to live in the CBD so it doesn't die at different times of the day or night." Once the city centre used to be dead after 5.30pm, but many cafes, restaurants and bars now stay open in the evenings to serve the growing numbers of residents. And there are still plenty of units to come, too. There are 1211 under construction in the city centre and there are 41 projects to house a further 505 units lodged with planners. Council researchers predict that by June 2010, more than 32,000 people will call the CBD home. Agents such as Ziri, principal of Sydney Cove Property, now view the city as a wonderful place to rent apartments and houses. "There's a real vibe in the city, particuarly in the northern CBD," she says. "There's a great village atmosphere and people love walking to the opera, to restaurants ... everywhere." Elaine Pan, property manager of Sydney Links, agrees. Rents may, at times, be a little more expensive in the city - $380-390 a week for a one-bedroom apartment in a high-rise near Town Hall, or $450-500 for a fully furnished unit - but renters save money on transport, with many opting not to own a car at all. "A lot of executives live and work in the city, and also study," Pan says. "It means they can fit it all in. They just hop on a bus and go straight to uni in the evenings. It works out so well for them." When they do have evenings off, the choices are endless and easy, says Peta Clark of agents Moreton & Moreton. "And outsiders often think it's going to be all hustle and bustle, but it can be surprisingly peaceful, too," she says. 'I'M HERE TO STAY' Accounting firm manager Sabrina Ziems (pictured) leads such a busy life she has to make the most of every spare moment. Living and working in the city gives her the chance to do just that. Some lunchtimes she often dashes home to do her chores, which leaves the evening free for work or play. "Being career-minded, I love the convenience of living just 10 minutes from work, which makes it so easy to walk to work or see clients or work late," says Ziems, 41. "Then I can go home at lunchtime to clean the house because time is so short. I just love living in the city." Ziems moved into the city, near Circular Quay, from the eastern suburbs seven years ago and has never regretted it. She often works overseas, so it's easy to just lock up and leave her rented apartment. The rest of t