Where to live in Sydney: the pros and cons of each area

Bondi, Surry Hills, Manly? Deciding where to live in Sydney is on par with deciding a life partner. It’s a BIG decision. I’ll do my best to help…

I’ve had a couple of emails of late from people re-locating to the harbour city and asking for my hand-written insight on where to live in Sydney. Rather than write a bespoke email each time, I thought I’d write this.

Two years ago, I moved to Sydney from Melbourne, so totally appreciate how hard it is to choose a home base. It’s a complex decision, as each pocket of Sydney has its own character; it’s own pros and cons.

It’s also super hard to get out of your pocket, so you really have to like it, and don’t assume your friends will come visit you if you live in a different pocket to them – they won’t, or at least they won’t without a lot of whinging.

Ok, I’ll quite there yabbering. Here’s my quick and dirty guide on where to live in Sydney:

EASTERN SUBURBS (Coogee, Bondi, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Bronte)

Pros – the appeal is obvious. The Sydney’s eastern suburbs are a beautiful part of the world (indeed full of beautiful people). And with all that nature and bird-chirping, it’s a pretty peaceful part of the world also. Certainly, if you live in the EB (eastern beaches) there’s no reason not to have a six-pack, with surf spots, beaches, ocean pools, harbour and coastal walking tracks all for the taking. Rounding out the pro list is decent shopping, cafes and restaurants.

Cons – it’s expensive! Sydney’s eastern suburbs is the most expensive place to live in Australia – what a label. You only have to see the jags, lambos and maseratis parked casually on the street to appreciate the coin needed to comfortably live in this area. Also if you ever want to leave the eastern beaches it’s a right pain in the arse – 45 minutes via public transport and 30 minutes via car (depending on the time of day). Finally, if you’re not a showpony yourself, sometimes the bronzed, buffed and botoxed locals (and backpackers) can be a little too much to bear.

INNER WEST (Newtown, Glebe, Erskineville, Leichhardt, Balmain)

Pros – a colourful and cultural enclave, you live in the inner west if you’re half cool. There’s streets filled with graffiti art, a real creative energy, and some of Sydney’s best pubs, markets, live music and comedy venues. It’s about as close as you get to Melbourne in Sydney, so it makes sense the coffee is better here. And, if you’re in Balmain or Drummoyne, the harbour is pretty easy on the eye.

Cons – the area is an actual urban heat island, so be prepared for slightly warmer temps. And you’re pretty land-locked, making a beachside escape a serious one-hour mission. Also, if you don’t wear hats, have ironic glasses and play a musical instrument, you might feel out of place in Sydney’s hipster heartland.

INNER EAST (Potts Point, Darlinghurst, Paddington, Surry Hills)

Pros – the inner east is the beating heart of Sydney. You don’t get more central than this, able to walk into the city or jump on all kinds of public transport (a car, completely unnecessary). In Surry Hills and Potts Point, the restaurant game is strong, with a bangin’ nightlife to boot (well, before 12pm that is, when the lockout laws turn the city into a pumpkin). Darlinghurst, or ‘Darlo’, is also home to Sydney’s LGBTIQ community.

Cons – Sydney’s inner east is expensive; your money doesn’t go far. The area is also loud and busy, ALL THE TIME – being woken up at 3am by shouting is a common occurrence. Cockroaches, also a real problem, and you need to be happy to commingle with the homeless and drug-addicted.

LOWER NORTH SHORE (Neutral Bay, Lavender Bay, North Sydney, Kirribilli, Waverton)

Pros – this peaceful pocket of Sydney offers a more relaxed way of life, yet it’s only an express bus or train stop over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Throw in a few cafes and some damn decent harbour views, and you can understand why you’ll find some of Sydney’s bona fide most liveable suburbs here.

Cons – living OTB can be a real mental hurdle to get over. Nightlife and restaurants are also slim pickings this side of the bridge.

NORTHERN BEACHES (Manly, Fairlight, Balgowlah, Curl Curl, Dee Why)

Pros – life’s relaxed, it’s leafy and the beach culture runs strong on Sydney’s northern beaches. There’s enough sand up here to be considered a small country, meaning you don’t have to engage all-out-war for towel space. And houses come with actual backyards.

Cons – Spit Bridge! There’s only one main road into the northern beaches and, an eternal red line on Google Maps, it sends a shiver down the hardest of spines. There’s also no trains, so you have to really enjoy the bus, or try and position yourself within walking distance of Manly Wharf. Overall, the vibe’s pretty conservative and family-orientated, and the nightlife is about as vibrant as a grey afternoon in the middle of winter. Oh, and Tony Abbott’s your local member.