Inner East

Summary: Situated in a convenient location within easy distance relative to the Sydney CBD, Zetland is a rapidly-developed “pop-up suburb” packed with modern, high-density apartments and with a very modern-day design layout. It mixes together nice public spaces with clean roads and shopping facilities to feel fresh overall.

Almost everything in the suburb is shiny and new, however how long this will last – and the quality of its constructions – remains to be seen. It also faces some major traffic issues, and is quite sterile as a whole while also lacking in character or nightlife.
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Summary: Sydney’s flagship suburb for same-sex pride has come a long way since its dirty past of brothels, drugs and gang activity. While it still has its grittier elements, Darlinghurst now serves as a desirable springboard to city life brimming with restaurants and pubs, with the city just down the street; however it’s very much a matter of sacrificing size for convenience and a little grit, as it’s largely apartment-only living on offer here. Read Review

Summary: A prime example of the trend of inner-city gentrification at work, Surry Hills – a formerly slummy haven for dodgy activity – has over several decades transformed into one of the trendiest and most convenient suburbs in Sydney.

Sitting right on the edge of the CBD and populated with a mixture of hip cafes, cool pubs, startup and established businesses, and terrace-and-tree lined streets, it now ranks as one of the inner city’s most desirable places to live – for the lucky few who can afford it. It’s also not without ongoing crime issues, with one of the highest overall crime rates in the city despite ongoing gentrification. Read Review

Summary: One of the most versatile of all Sydney’s more central suburbs, Paddington strikes an excellent balance between location, greenery, food and shopping, and action vs. quiet. It’s a historic slice of Sydney with a good blend of housing types able to cater for a wide range of income levels and demographics, some great spots for a drink, and its myriad of heritage buildings give it an extra dose of character that other suburbs lack. Expensive prices are a major factor however, for all but the smallest of living spaces. Read Review