inner west

Summary: As a suburb, St Peters feels almost directly like Erskineville’s slightly rougher, grittier little brother. Conveniently located and with good city connectivity, the suburb offers a (slightly) more affordable smattering of terrace and high-density housing, a range of drinking and dining opportunities, and streets dotted with colourful murals and other bohemian art. There’s an overall edgy feeling here and some noise issues that may not appeal to all, but its positives in terms of location and convenience can generally outweigh its relative lack of full-blown gentrification. Read Review

Summary: One of the most family and pet-friendly suburbs still within striking distance of the Sydney CBD, Annandale’s wide streets and greenery along with several notable highlights make it pretty much ideal for family life. Inner West in name only, the suburb has a “white picket fence” feel entirely different to its grittier neighbours that would help it rank near the top of our “liveability” rankings – if only it had a damn train station, avoided the flight paths, and was priced quite a bit lower. Read Review

Summary: An historic and undeniably charming suburb that exudes affluence, Balmain is a lovely slice of land dotted with sandstone-brick buildings dating back to the origins of Sydney. It’s got a lot of character, pockets of greenery, is packed with quality places to eat and drink, and its waterfront views are stunning. A prohibitive pricetag for buyers and terrible commute traffic – plus a disconnect from the heavy rail system – hold it back from being ideal, however. Read 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. Read Review

Summary: Sydney’s current darling of upbeat nighttime entertainment, Newtown is a buzzing hub with massive variety in places to both drink and dine – both on the cheap and for those willing to indulge. It’s one of the last remaining bastions of alternative culture within close proximity to Sydney city, and while its popularity means it’s lost some of its original grit and prices are rising, it’s still an easy go-to recommendation for students and younger professionals who don’t need much peace and quiet to be happy. Read Review