Sydney’s Hippest Suburbs: 5 Fun Places to Live

Foreigners often tell me that Sydney isn't as cool as Melbourne, which both confuses me and hurts my feelings.

My native city cops a lot of slack — it's seen as pretentious, expensive, and a bit too pretty for its own good. Well, there's much more to Sydney than initially meets the eye.

I've always viewed my hometown as a city for its residents rather than catering solely to tourists.

Only when you live there can you see Sydney for what it truly is — the most vibrant, interesting, and beautiful city in the world!

To prove my point, here's a lowdown on the hippest of Sydney's suburbs — must-visits if you ever venture to the Land Down Under.

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Sydney Suburbs

1. Balmain

The suburb of Balmain in inner Sydney is home to historic houses, trendy cafés, and some of the city's best views outside of Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.

Stroll down Darling Street on a Saturday for second-hand shopping at Rozelle Markets.

Check out the Tali or Kate Owen Gallery if you're in the mood for a spot of art. Or book a guided tour on nearby Goat Island, which is integral to Australia's heritage.

2. The Inner-West

Neighboring Newtown's credibility was lost to us for perhaps forever when the band Coldplay chose it as the setting for a music video in 2014.

While I mourn Newtown's “fall from grace” with a heavy heart, the nearby suburbs of Petersham, Stanmore, Marrickville, and Enmore maintain elements of street cred.

The Enmore Theatre remains my favorite venue for standup and live music in the city.

Along Enmore Rd, you'll find plenty of quirky shops, restaurants, and cafés that will be packed with brunching Aussies come any weekend morning (brunch in Australia isn't just a meal — it's an institution).

A special shout-out goes to the Oxford Tavern in Petersham. The dessert menu is small but features what is known as “The Jelly Wrestle.”

It's a plate intended to be shared and remains the most disgusting and ingeniously delicious dessert to be conceived in that suburb.

3. Bondi

Bondi may not be my favorite part of the city, but there's no denying it's a hotspot.

There are plenty of trendy shops, cafés abound, and there are healthy eats for the more organically inclined.

The area is famous among Sydneysiders for a specific type of hipster. If you keep your eyes peeled, you'll be sure to spot one (honestly, probably without even trying).

Bondi Beach may be iconic, but it's far from being Sydney's nicest stretch of sand.

I recommend doing the 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) Bondi to Bronte walk, stopping at Tamarama for some sand and surf, or forgoing all three beaches for the far less touristy Clovelly Beach or Gordon's Bay.

4. Surry Hills and Redfern

Once known as the slums of the city, Surry Hill and Redfern are now two of the trendiest hot spots for students and young professionals.

You can get food of any ethnicity on Crown Street (Nepalese and Mexican are two favorites of mine).

The street is also home to Messina, which is probably the best place to get gelato in the city. The queue stretches far down the road at night, but it's well worth the wait.

Redfern is going through rapid gentrification due to its proximity to the Central Business District (CBD).

Along with some great cafés for brunch, it's home to the headquarters of Work-Shop. This initiative provides short creative courses in anything from typography to welding and taxidermy.

It even has its own incarnation of speed-dating for creatives known as “Craft Singles,” people pair up and are given five minutes to bond over completing a crafty task before moving on to the next person and challenge.

Read more: Budget Traveler's Guide to Sydney

5. Parramatta

Parramatta's seen some tough times. A bustling ‘burb in the late 80s and early 90s, it was once a hub for young professionals.

It's garnered a bad wrap over the last couple of decades, as workers have been forced to move to jobs in the CBD and north of the city.

However, low(ish) rent has led to a revival of the suburb, with many young people setting themselves up again in the area.

This has resulted in an influx of restaurants, clubs, and shops and the introduction of many festivals, events, and street fairs.

The suburb is perched on the edge of Parramatta River, and ferries to the suburb depart daily from Darling Harbour.

This trip makes for a standout way to see the city. You can follow it up with a picnic in any of Parramatta's parks or reserves.

Parramatta was the stomping ground of my youth, and it warms my heart to know that life is being breathed back into this corner of the city that always has and will be home.

The best thing is that this is just the tip of the iceberg of what Sydney suburbs offer. There is more to Australia's most famous city than meets the eye.