Love thy neighbour: The Sydney suburbs that have the best community spirit
Ever longed for the days when neighbours held street parties, got together to plant vegetables in community gardens and helped each other out with everything from cups of sugar to babysitting?
Well, happily there are still areas of Sydney where community spirit thrives. “Balmain has certainly plenty of that,” says TV producer Jan Wood, who was born in the local hospital and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
“I think that spirit is very, very good for people’s mental health. If you’re connected to your neighbours … that counts for a lot.”
Balmain is one of Rose & Jones buyers’ agent Byron Rose’s top-five picks of suburbs with community spirit.
“I think the very special retail offering there is also really reviving its community spirit; with lots of young families around and a thriving local community,” Rose says.
Cobden & Hayson agent Peter Gordon agrees: “It’s a unique area as it’s on a peninsula, which helps its vibe, yet it’s still so close to the city – it has a great community drive.”
Other suburbs on Rose’s list include Bondi Beach, Leichhardt, Bellevue Hill and Newtown.
In Newtown, Ian Ferrie, who runs its community garden, says the number of people who love to be involved is indicative of the area’s social cohesion.
Newtown is another suburb where locals are keen to get involved in community life. Photos: Steven Woodburn
- Related: Sydney suburbs set for price growth
- Related: Sydney’s secret waterfronts revealed
- Related: What downsizers want most in Sydney
Such shared gardens flourish in places such as Newtown, Crows Nest, Erskineville and Annandale, says EPS Property Search agent Patrick Bright.
“They’re a good sign of community spirit … Those areas have a lot of close living with terraces, semis and apartments, so you often see the locals love having veggie and herb gardens outside their fences, utilising nature strips and patches down the middle of streets.”
Another clue lies in those streets having communal parties for special occasions. In Pagewood, council gardener Len Mahony has been helping organise street parties for more than 15 years. “We have them every Christmas … It creates a lovely feeling,” he says.
You’ll find the likes of cul-de-sac parties and street barbies in Croydon Park. Photo: Jon Reid
In Croyden Park, TAFE teacher Elizabeth McMullen is one of the organisers of her cul-de-sac’s parties for Christmas and barbecues for Australia Day, as well as Easter egg hunts, functions for Halloween and even sometimes Christmas in July.
“That community spirit absolutely enriches all our lives,” she says.
Potts Point is another area that has experienced a rebirth in community spirit. Cultural historian Warren Fahey helped set up a Facebook page (Potts Pointers) that is a forum for the nearly 3000 members, and is also used for organising functions.
“It’s helping make our community more of a village,” says Fahey. “It’s really bringing the community together, and it would be great if it were to become a model for boosting community spirit elsewhere, too.”
Join the neighbourhood: Balmain
48 Smith Street, Balmain is for sale. Photo: Supplied
This 1885 Victorian free-standing cottage on Balmain’s Smith Street has been extended and renovated into a contemporary family home.
Its pavilion-style rooms open up completely into the garden, with full-length glass sliding doors. You’ll also find four double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, separate living areas, an entertainer’s kitchen with a 5.5-metre island and solar panels installed.
Pavilion-style rooms open up completely into the garden. Photo: Supplied
“It’s originally an old Victorian cottage but it’s been completely redesigned and updated,” says Cobden & Hayson agent Peter Gordon, who’s taking it to a June 23 auction with a $2.35 million price guide.
Gordon adds that Balmain is in no short supply of community spirit either.
“[Locals] managed to drive out Starbucks within six months when they opened on Darling Street, and then got behind local family cafes instead!”
