The 10 Best Suburbs to Live in Sydney for Lifestyle Enthusiasts

Sydney’s suburbs are diverse. From the leafy northern neighbourhoods to the energetic inner west and the coastal enclaves of the eastern suburbs, there’s something for everyone no matter what you prioritise. When hunting for a home, lifestyle is key for many, and this includes everything from cafe culture to public transport and dog parks. Not sure where to start? These are the 10 of the best suburbs to live in Sydney for lifestyle enthusiasts. 

Erskineville

Erskineville begins just a couple of streets back from Sydney's capital of cool, Newtown. Slightly quieter but still packed with pubs, restaurants and cafes, Erskineville is a community-focused suburb popular with students and young families. Whilst street parking can be tricky here, the fact that the CBD is a ten-minute train ride away more than makes up for it.

Sitchu Pick: The Erko is a great shout if you're looking for a local. This elevated pub uses seasonal ingredients for the menu with goodies from the local community garden often gracing plates. 

Paddington 

The stylish suburb of Paddington attracts professionals and families for its leafy streets, boutique shopping strips and proximity to Oxford Street, Centennial Park and Bondi Junction. It offers easy bus routes to the CBD and eastern beaches and access to both fantastic public and private schools. A mix of heritage-listed homes and art deco apartments, Paddington might be pricey but you'll love every minute here.

Sitchu Tip: Paddington is packed with some of Sydney's favourite restaurants including Fred's and Saint Peter. 

Coogee

Laid-back Coogee couples a beautiful beach with ocean pools, green spaces and a vibrant café and bar scene. It’s renowned for its outdoor lifestyle with cliff-top walking trails, sports fields and picnic spaces framing stunning coastal views. Thanks to being packed with excellent local schools, abundant grocery stores and express buses into the CBD, Coogee doesn't come cheap. 

Sitchu Tip: The gorgeous coastal walk from Coogee to Maroubra is reason enough to want to set up camp here. 

Surry Hills

Surry Hills is an absolute winner when it comes to lifestyle and is mostly popular with creatives and young professionals with fewer families making their home here. This walkable 'burb consists of leafy streets littered with some of Sydney's best coffee shops, bakeries, bars and boutique stores with a side of dog parks. With your local station being Central, you're sorted when it comes to public transport. Many locals don't even own a car, preferring to bike, walk and utilise the newly built light rail. 

Known for being a creative hub, Surry Hills is also home to plenty of offices and startups, particularly within the creative industry, tucked in between terraces. 

Sitchu Tip: Surry Hills is home to some of our favourite restaurants in the city as well as a huge selection of bars. You could easily dine out somewhere different here every night for months on end. 

Randwick

Randwick is fast becoming a favourite for young professionals and families keen to remain close to the city. The prices here are cheaper than the inner city suburbs and have the added benefit of being close to parks and beaches, too. An array of food options are also up for grabs with a lower price tag than their city equivalents. 

Sitchu Tip: Nearby Centennial Park is the perfect place to spend a Saturday morning wander. 

Clovelly

Popular with families, expats, young and old, Clovelly appeals to just about everyone. The glorious heritage-listed baths and expanses of beach contribute to this suburb's enduring charm as do the boutique stores, cafes and restaurants here. Quiter than its neighbouring suburbs of Bondi and Coogee, Clovelly maintains a village-like atmosphere with the surf club at the centre of it all. 

Sitchu Tip: Some say the best fish & chips in Sydney can be found here! Head to Out of the Blue if you'd like to test this theory and settle in somewhere scenic to soak up the views.  

Freshwater 

Freshwater offers a relaxed, beachside town vibe whilst remaining an easy 20km from the city. Providing a little something for everyone, Freshwater is popular with nature lovers and coastal fanatics of all ages. The laid-back holiday feel draws locals towards the rugged foreshores, parks and headlands all year long. 

Sitchu Tip: The hatted Pilu at Freshwater proves that you don't need to go far to eat well!  

Cronulla

Located in Sydney's south, Cronulla is a relaxed seaside suburb bursting with lifestyle drawcards. An established food and drink scene combined with plentiful beaches and green spaces make it ideal for families. It remains under an hour from the CBD but boasts the added benefit of being the gateway to the South Coast and Sydney's Royal National Park. Whilst units line The Esplanade, there are also plenty of family homes to be found here.

Sitchu Tip: Good coffee is a must for Shire locals. You'll find Grind, Loaf and Rushi doing some of the best in the area. 

Parramatta

A city in its own right, Parramatta is loaded with green spaces lending it more of a suburban feel. With more affordable house prices than more central Sydney suburbs, this spot is popular with young professionals and families. The food and drink scene is gaining traction year on year and cultural and community events litter the calendar. With a public transport service that’s well-connected, a selection of prestigious private and public schools to choose from, and a lifestyle that has something for everyone, this suburb just keeps getting better.

Sitchu Tip: Located within the lush expanse of Parramatta Park, MISC is the place to go for a bite to rival the best the city has to offer. 

Balmain

The historic neighbourhood of Balmain offers a stylish village lifestyle, serene gardens and spectacular harbour views. Attracting both families and young professionals, Balmain continues to be a favourite for the burgeoning foodie scene, great architecture and enduring arty culture. Nearby White Bay Power Station frequently holds exhibitions and expos and is just one of the great drawcards of recent years. Bus and ferry connections to the CBD mean you're never too far from the hustle and bustle and all the employment opportunities the city offers. 

Sitchu Tip: New to the Balmain Dining scene is Casa Esquina. Serving up Argentinian BBQ and serene indoor and outdoor spaces, this new spot is one of many popping up around the area. 

Doing your research on the best suburbs to live in Sydney and looking for more gems in the area? Check out our roundups of the best play centres and BBQ parks in Sydney.