Small Families

Summary: Fairly self-contained and with a distinct, charming vibe quite drastically different to its surrounding Inner West suburbs, Summer Hill boasts a cosy, intimate feel with a very communal atmosphere to boot. Oriented around its main village-style shopping street, the suburb is dotted with a range of lovely low-density housing of a number of interesting architectural styles, with streets that present a good balance of greenery versus gentrification.

There’s a heavy heritage feeling here that gives it character, and it’s extremely well positioned in terms of commute and access to Sydney city. All this adds up to highly in-demand housing that brings along with it accordingly high property prices – its only real downside.
Read Review

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.
Read Review

Summary: Edgecliff is an inner eastern suburb of Sydney that feels a little like a “bridging” suburb without much individual identity, yet a great centralised location. Sandwiched between the high-end Rushcutter’s Bay and Double Bay and the grit of Kings Cross, it has some positive and negative elements of both. It’s got all the amenities one could need for daily life and good connectivity to the CBD, and those who can deal with a bit of traffic noise can snag themselves a very practical spot within easy reach of multiple attractions, shopping options and career opportunities nearby. Read Review

Summary: A suburb with plenty of character and one of the best dining scenes in all of Sydney, Marrickville is trendy without being pretentious. It’s still got a bit of authentic grit despite its large ongoing developments, and offers a solid balance between city access, diversity of housing types and enjoyable public spaces. Rising prices and some noise issues at both air and ground levels hamper it a little, but for the younger and establishing crowd it’s an excellent choice in the Inner West. Read Review

Summary: To describe Stanmore in a mathematical equation might go something like this: Stanmore : Petersham as Erskineville : St Peters. That is to say, it’s a little like Petersham’s slightly wealthier brother, but really there’s little to differentiate the two overall. It’s a little more charming, a little more green, and a little more expensive, with some better amenities for families in particular. Its aircraft noise is always going to be the main negative point, however, and although it’s charming and home to some lovely architecture, there’s not much to do in the suburb itself. Read Review

Summary: Centrally located, convenient and well-equipped with amenities, if there was any one word to describe St Leonards, “functional” would probably be it. This is a North Shore Sydney suburb that has everything you’ll need for daily life should you be happy with small-scale apartment living, yet is almost entirely lacking in other character or any kind of personality. While it has no real negatives other than a lack of affordable standalone housing and some noise and traffic issues, St Leonards is fairly bland overall; its main saving grace is its access to the city, and proximity to the suburbs which surround it. Read Review

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: The Lower North Shore’s go-to venue for selection when it comes to a quality meal, Crows Nest is a trendy hub for dining and drinking that feels a little like a “cleaner” version of Newtown down south. Centered around its main street lined with all sorts of cuisine and takeout areas as well as small-scale retail, the suburb is energetic – although a little noisy in places – and has some traffic issues. Its lack of train connectivity is a negative as well, as is a general lack of parking, but it’s still a great night out. Read Review

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. 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