Erskineville Suburb Review

"Ersko" delivers the best of many worlds, if somewhat cramped.

Summary: Up-and-coming in terms of both desirability and price, “Ersko” has become a darling of the young professional and hipster communities, with its mixture of easy access to Sydney city, greenery and growing array of cafes, pubs and bars all positive points in its factor. Soaring costs and the effects of gentrification are creeping in, however, and buying a slice of Erskineville life may soon be out of reach of the average income earner – if it isn’t already.

Key stats

In terms of overall balance, Erskineville hits many of the high points one might want in city-adjacent daily life. First and foremost, its station provides city access without being too busy or bustling, and is slowly being surrounded by more establishing small businesses and restaurants as time goes by.

The Sydney CBD is just a 10 minute train ride away, yet Erskineville retains that cliche “village” feel while the city skyline still clearly looms on the horizon – a difficult line to walk, but one the suburb still does quite well.

There’s plenty of pockets of greenery both big and small to service pets’ and kids’ play needs alike, and it’s a very walkable and bikeable suburb that’s not too hilly or awkward to navigate. For the adults, there’s a nice and diverse bar and pub scene, and several upcoming boutique breweries sit nearby at which to sample quality craft beer in the presence of those with overly-well-groomed beards.

In addition, all the action, nightlife and dining options of Newtown are so close you don’t even need to drive or take public transport – a bonus should you have a big night or one-too-many drops of the good stuff in an evening.

Gentrification has sapped some of Erskineville’s past character and made it a bit more generic in recent years, and there’s a slight air of snobbery and pretentiousness that comes along with it; hence the ripple effect of why Newtown has (or had?) become the new go-to for artsy and creative types, whereas Erskineville trends more towards those within finance, I.T and other white-collar sectors.

Few inner Sydney suburbs outside the ultra-expensive are as pet friendly as Erskineville, particularly for those living on its southern side where the expansive Sydney Park is located. It’s a huge hub of greenery, wetlands and pathways that makes for an awesome spot for a dog walk, a bike ride, or a picnic, while kids can burn off energy in the playground. Even the little parks close to Erskineville train station are enough in a pinch, as well.

Price of admission

Erskineville’s streets can probably best be divided into two main “sub-categories” – its older, narrow, terrace-lined roads, and its newer section that consists largely of more modern high-density residential apartments.

The terraces are charming – although some are showing their age and many could use a fresh coat of paint – and offer a chance at a bit more space while being slightly more affordable than similar offerings in say, Surry Hills.

They’re still pricey and in short supply, however, and on-street parking is incredibly tight and remains an exercise in frustration. A trip to Erskineville will test the scope of your parallel parking skills for sure.

Expect to fork out around $1.2 million big ones for buyers, while renters can expect to pay $750 per week for an entry-level terrace.

Apartments have also become a hot commodity in Erskineville in recent years, with newer developments and renovated older offerings alike going quite quickly. They’re all a short walk from the station, so it’s no surprise $650 – $700 has become the rental norm.

Apartment developments have sprung up in Erskineville

All the required amenities for daily life are all close by, including gyms, supermarkets, miscellaneous small goods stores and the like, and while there’s no bigger superstore or outlet style retail within close proximity, a quick train trip can soon remedy that.

Sticking to the train wherever possible is the name of the game here, as its combination of narrow streets and growing popularity make driving in Erskineville an unenjoyable chore. Its namesake Erskineville Road is a virtual carpark during peak times, and getting back into its smaller side lanes and navigating the whole parking situation isn’t much better.

The recent saturation of apartment buildings certainly hasn’t helped things, and the associated noise and congestion has tainted a bit of Erskineville’s formerly peaceful charm somewhat.

“Erskineville retains that cliche “village” feel while the city skyline still clearly looms on the horizon.”

This additional dense housing also has had an onflow effect of overpopulation to some of its formerly more relaxed respites – pubs and cafes are busier and seating is more limited, schools are harder to get into with less personal attention, and petty crimes have seen a slight uptick.

In many ways, Erskineville is a microcosm of Sydney’s growth as a whole, as with increased convenience and desirability has come all the associated negatives along with them.

The Verdict

Price is thus likely going to be the main factor keeping families out of Erskineville, as those after more space and not content with apartment living will find their options limited unless they have money to burn.

For those who have a bit of cash, no kids, and don’t mind calling a unit home while relying on public transport, Erskineville remains an excellent “all-rounder” with relatively few negatives.

For visitors, Erskineville also makes for a nice day trip or quieter night out, as echoes of its prior, more unique, state are still clearly visible and it boasts a pleasant atmosphere overall. Just how much longer they remain will be an interesting situation to keep an eye on.