Glebe Suburb Review

Summary: Gritty and artsy yet still retaining somewhat of a warm and communal feel, Glebe is a unique animal amongst most of Sydney’s suburbs. It’s sort of a fusion between the inner-west and Pyrmont, with mansions and housing commissions, greenery and waterfront views coexisting behind graffiti-and-mural specked back streets – and is somehow both convenient and not at the same time. It’s definitely got touches of Europe to it, and is an eclectic mix that some may just find highly appealing.

Key stats

Glebe’s nothing if not different. The suburb is unusual in the way it mixes so many disparate elements of what make Sydney both good and bad, and yet still manages to make it work.

It benefits from the light rail, yet still feels somewhat disconnected and different from the rest of the city and its neighbours; it’s got some rough and dirty elements and semi-seedy establishments yet also one of the most lovely waterfront walks in the city; and it’s got definite character but is also showing signs of inevitable gentrification.

In terms of location, it’s hard to fault Glebe as a whole – professionals can jump on the light rail and connect to basically anywhere at Central, while students can save money by walking or cycling to UTS. The water’s just a short walk away, and there’s plenty of parkland, with gym equipment, walking/running tracks, basketball courts and the like all just a stone’s throw away as well. Glebe is basically the “beginning” of the Inner West, and has an expected slight-if-not-excessive hipster vibe that comes along with it, but there’s also a fair bit of “old money” around here too.

Things to Do

Stretch your legs and walk into the city for some shopping or dining, or take the light rail around the corner to the Sydney Fish Market, or to try your luck at the Star Casino, or keep things local and browse the Glebe Markets on the weekend for some quirky artisan goods… if you’re willing to go outside and do things, you’ll seldom be short of activities in Glebe and its immediate surrounds.

Likewise, those who fancy a drop of the good stuff will be spoiled for choice in Glebe as it’s got potential to be the hub for a truly epic pub crawl, with larger hotels / beer gardens along with more niche backpacker and Euro-themed bars dotting multiple locations from the top of Glebe Point Road almost all the way back down towards the Sydney CBD. It can be quite rowdy in some places as a result, and noise is a factor for those who live in its central portions; families will likely thus want to base themselves on the suburb’s fringes to maximise peace levels.

The Glebe Foreshore Walk is a must-do

Property & Prices

The suburb’s mostly terrace and apartment living outside of its smaller quantity of expensive mansions (waterfront Glebe Point is some of the most expensive real estate in Sydney), and it’s heavily populated by students in share accommodation looking to keep costs down while attending university nearby. It’s bars and other “less reputable” establishments do give it a seedy vibe in some sections, and a number of its terraces on several streets are quite run down and dilapidated which doesn’t help with the overall vibe in some sections.

This doesn’t do much to knock down the price of its terraces however – you’re looking at $1.5 million for a 3-bedder – although there is somewhat affordable rental apartment accommodation available. Students sharing can get themselves a reasonably priced room for a couple of hundred a week, and given its combination of pub scene and proximity to the CBD makes for a pretty damn fun choice for youngsters wanting a slice of city life that’s less pretentious than some other inner Sydney suburbs.

Glebe just feels like it could do with a “fresh coat of paint” as a whole – although some would likely argue that it’s one of the few inner-Sydney areas that still retains some of its original charm, and this would merely make it just as bland and gentrified as many of its brothers have become.

Transport & Traffic

In terms of daily commute, most will want to rely on either its light rail connections or simply walk if working in the CBD, as Glebe faces traffic conditions that are pretty damn unpleasant. Bridge Road, Glebe Point Road and St. John’s Road are all fairly main arteries that collide with one another far too quickly, contributing both frustration for commuters and plenty of ambient noise for inner suburb residents.

“Overall, Glebe’s just kind of “cool”… yet for those looking for a polished slice of Sydney in which to raise an average family you’d almost certainly want to look elsewhere.”

The suburb is quite pet friendly on the whole, with its leafy streets and park areas offering nice spaces to walk the dog, and its Glebe Foreshore Walk is one of the loveliest walks in central Sydney – the track goes all the way from Bridge Road to Bicentennial Park, right alongside the water and past various bays all the way around to the Fish Market and beyond. There are few better places so close to the city for a walk with the pet, or a run of a morning or evening.

The Verdict

Would I live in Glebe myself? Probably not, but context matters: I’m 35 years old at time of writing, and married. If you’d asked me 10 years ago, then answer would likely have been a definite “yes”, as it’s not hard to see the appeal of a suburb with a bit of character about it so close to the city and yet that’s pretty happening and quite cool.

Likewise, add a couple of million dollars to my bank account, and the more elite portions of Glebe likewise become immediately appealing – it’s got a great outlook, and you’d be able to buy some exclusive isolation while still having its markets, foreshore and the city right nearby.

Overall, Glebe’s just kind of “cool”… yet for those looking for a polished slice of Sydney in which to raise an average family you’d almost certainly want to look elsewhere. Great place to visit, though.