G'day Dan
I too live in the South (Seaford Rise) and I work in the North (near Elizabeth).
I commute to work everyday, it is a round trip of 176km everyday. Been doing it for the last 5 years and I can say it is a pain!
In relation to dark skies nearer the city. I met a bloke who lives at Henley Beach (in a well populated area), with a small strip of sky to image and I must say that his images were some of the best I have seen. So it is possible to get very good results. However, would be a pain for a visual astronomer!
Stay South Mate!
Best of luck.
Gav