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: Ashfield is a well-balanced suburb in the Inner West which boasts good public transport connectivity, school access and overall amenities, as well as a range of housing options. It’s become a darling of the Chinese community and much of its small-scale retail reflects this almost mono-cultural bent, while it also suffers from some significant traffic and parking issues for drivers. It can feel a little crowded and soulless at times, and its price is no longer a major selling point as property prices have continued to climb. 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: 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: Having undergone a fairly significant central facelift in recent years while still retaining its surrounding character, Kirrawee in Sutherland Shire is a suburb in which the drastic changes will be immediately obvious for those who haven’t visited for several years. Its main inner hub has been massively modernised and provides a concentration of new, slick housing and retail, while its external streets still offer diverse housing both large and small as well as pretty bush-style greenery.

It fares well in terms of transport connections by both road and rail – although the road side of things are under increased stress and stuck in “catch-up” mode for the time being. It also provides a surprisingly good array of dining and boutique spots for food and drink that couple with its quality education offerings, opportunities for employment, and safe and well-kept overall streetscape to make for a versatile and appealing suburb that can cater to multiple budget levels and life stages. Read Review

Summary: For a suburb that’s not physically too large, Wentworthville located to Sydney’s west packs quite a lot into the space it has. This is a slice of Sydney that contains a relatively balanced mix of everything, with a leaning towards the impressive side in terms of amenities – largely Indian-influenced – in particular. It’s home to a very diverse housing profile, centered mainly around clusters of single-level freestanding homes on occasionally-pretty streets that are gradually being encroached on by more and more low and mid-rise apartment blocks.

There’s an aura of ongoing construction and renovation to Wentworthville that can be seen in its continuing excess of higher-density buildings, but also its improving public facilities. While it’s not a “beautiful” suburb on the whole, it’s likely better than you think, and its above-average public transport, proximity to Parramatta, and somewhat affordable homes make up for its sometimes-hectic atmosphere and some traffic issues. Overall, it’s probably slightly underrated – particularly for families due to an abundance of childcare.
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Summary: Compact in size yet conveniently-located, little Allawah to the south-west of Sydney’s CBD is an unassuming pocket of mostly residential homes fanning out to the south of its long-running train line. It boasts a deceptively-high population for its relatively tiny physical area due to its abundance of low-rise unit and apartment buildings, which lie interspersed between the occasional higher-end, prettier street of typically-older but well-maintained freestanding homes.

With little in terms of landmarks or through-traffic to draw in crowds or visitors, it’s a mostly quiet and peaceful little streetscape that’s decently-priced for the combination of its position and rail connectivity, too. It’s home to a single strip of amenities which is decent given its size, while both large-scale shopping centres and the beach are not far away. It’s not exciting, but is safe, practical, and pretty convenient for city workers and families alike – a true “sleeper” suburb of Sydney worth considering.
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Summary: One of the pinnacles of where Sydney’s mix of wealth and bushland greenery collide, Wahroonga on the Upper North Shore is a showcase of pretty gardens, sprawling mansions and estates, and the occasional helping of unit blocks, little amenities and local shops sprinkled in. There’s an element of prestige that permeates almost everything within the suburb’s boundaries, from its homes, to its schools, to even the cleanliness and upkeep of its convenient train station which offers easy access down into Sydney city.

While it’s impressive to gawk at and wander its largely-peaceful streets, Wahroonga also has a practical element to it, with a decent smattering of amenities & dining throughout, a relatively easy drive into the CBD, and access to larger-scale shopping not far away. Other than its obvious price barrier to entry – boasting some of the most expensive real estate in the region – it’s lacking in “entertainment” of any kind outside of dining, although it boasts an extremely low crime rate in return, too. There are plenty of more boring suburbs, despite its reputation.
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