Bingo! Inner west Sydney is one of the most character-filled areas of Sydney. Along with its rich multiculturalism, history, spirit, and plenty of good restaurants and pubs, the inner west is a community of cosmopolitan professionals, young adults and maturing families alike.
But what’s it really like to live there?
Here we take a broad look at Sydney inner west suburbs. Of course, the Mortgage Guy team hasn’t visited every suburb in Sydney, nor even attempted to try every café in Newtown! But we do a soft spot for Sydney’s bohemian gem, so here, in our opinion, is what we love about Sydney’s inner west suburbs.
Real Estate in Sydney inner west
Sydney’s inner west, and in particular Newtown, Macdonaldtown and Enmore, are well known for their charming terrace houses. Not to mention Balmain’s fabulous doors! But there are also a number of new developments popping up around the area, with the aim to replicate the terrace-style to keep the area’s existing aesthetic. There’s also the fact that there’s not much room left for growth, so apartments and terraces it is. This means a lot of the properties in this area are on the smaller side. If you have plans to grow your family, suburbs like Newtown and Enmore won’t have a huge supply of backyards and rumpus rooms for you.
As a general rule of thumb, the more historic the building, the pricier it’ll be. For those looking at a cheap home in Sydney (are you serious?), a newer apartment is a good choice. Just don’t buy anything off the plan!
Restaurants/Cafes
As a thriving home to multiculturalism and open-mindedness, Sydney inner west is full of every cuisine possible. Fancy some vegan fare? Head to Green Gourmet on King Street in Newtown, or Suzy Spoon’s vegetarian butcher. We promise that not even the meat eaters will know they’re serving tofu.
But if they do cotton on to the mock-meat, take them to the Flying Fajita Sisters in Glebe for some good old Mexican chicken.
If romance is on your mind, head to The Potting Shed in Alexandria. For a taste of Italy, catch the train or bus to Leichhardt and take your pick. Aperitivo gets a good rap if you can’t choose.
And if you really need that shot for Instagram, The Grounds of Alexandria will up your social media credentials.
But what about a Sunday afternoon drink, you ask? Well, Balmain is one of the most pub-dense suburbs in Sydney. The Bald Rock Hotel is a historical charmer with a stunning view over White Bay too. For a more intimate vino, Bloodwood on King Street in Newtown has suave in spades.
Honourable mentions to:
– The Bach Eatery in Newtown for friendly service and rustic grub.
– 3 Weeds Restaurant in Rozelle for an intimate, fine dining experience.
– Abhi’s Indian Restaurant in North Strathfield for everything, but particularly the Masala Dosa.
Entertainment in Sydney’s Inner west
A life in the inner west of Sydney will never be dull, particularly if you’re within walking distance of Newtown. From the best bars and restaurants, to gigs at the Enmore Theatre, you’ll have your choice of week-round activities to choose from.
There’s also the selection of markets available: Newtown holds a random bric-a-brac market on Saturdays, as well as the annual Newtown Festival every November. Marrickville similarly hosts organic food markets for the foodies amongst us, and Glebe markets are a treasure trove the fashionistas.
For the film buffs, head to the Dendy in Newtown or the Palace on Norton Street for some indie and international flicks.
Honourable mentions to:
– Victoria Park Pool in Camperdown for providing some nice inner city summer relief.
– Glebe Street Fair in November for family-friendly fun.
Getting around
When living in the inner west as a single or a couple, you could be just lucky enough to get away without a car. There are trains to almost every suburb, as well as frequent and reliable buses. The 423, L23 and 426 head all throughout Marrickville, Enmore and Newtown, right up to Martin Place. There’s also the 352 Marrickville to Bondi Junction, which will take you all throughout Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
If you do own a car and a buy a home in Sydney’s inner west, just be prepared for heavy traffic, particularly along Stanmore Road and King Street.
Airport noise
Of all the bugbears of living in Sydney’s inner west, it’s the airport noise which comes top of the list. Anytime between 6am and 11pm, you’ll be able to hear aircraft flying in and out of Sydney Airport. But on the plus side, at least you’re close to the airport.
Safety
Sydney homeowners often approach areas close to the CBD with caution, and for a good reason too. But since the introduction of lockout laws, there are reports of crime significantly reducing. However, some say that Newtown’s alcohol-related crimes have gone up 18%, as the lockout laws don’t apply in the area. But according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), there hasn’t been any upward or downward trend that can be attributed to the lockout laws.
Looking at BOCSAR’s map for April 2015 – March 2016, the highest rates of non-domestic assault border on Newtown, Camperdown, Glebe, and streets around Sydney Park. Marrickville, Petersham, Enmore and Tempe enjoy significantly less, but are still some of the highest in Sydney, while Leichhardt, Haberfield, Annandale and Lilyfield are on the safer side. North Strathfield, on the outer inner west of Sydney, is one of the safest suburbs in the area.
For those with young families dreaming of idealic, white picketed playgrounds and a peaceful atmosphere, the inner west might be far too bustling for that lifestyle. But if what you’re after is historic charm, a taste of different cultures, and entertainment at your doorstep, the inner west will always deliver.