Leichhardt, NSW 2040

Leichhardt is a vibrant inner-west suburb celebrated for its cafes, restaurants, boutique shops, parks, and strong community feel. It has excellent public transport with popular bus routes, Leichhardt North light rail and Petersham/Stanmore stations nearby, providing easy access to the CBD and surrounding suburbs, making it popular with professionals and families alike.
The housing mix of character terraces and modern apartments supports both investors and owner-occupiers.
Rental demand is strong, with limited stock, lifestyle appeal, and proximity to Sydney’s employment hubs, Leichhardt offers a high-demand, well-connected market for owners and investors.

If only Sydney had more buildings like the Italian Forum, suburban living would be far more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, if more of the 'outer' suburbs had the gorgeous, European-influenced houses of the quieter streets of Leichhardt, they would definitely be better places to live.

The inner west in Sydney, especially the area north of Parramatta Road is a truly magical place.

Leichhardt is one of the easiest suburbs for public transport, it is so easy to get in and out of the CBD from here, or other places for that matter. It doesn't rely on trains so no need to worry about dreaded weekend trackwork.

I don't really want to rate this suburb 5 stars because it is simply too expensive - I would give it 4.5 stars. The other downsides are that because it's close to the city, local hospitals are jam packed with long waiting times and the local GPs are also hard to get an appointment. Then there's the rude behaviour on the public transport, like putting bags on seats and not letting someone sit next to you.

However, these are Sydney wide problems. Perhaps Australia wide problems.

Taking into account the considerable variety of housing, Leichhardt still offers comparatively (ahem) affordable living compared to some areas nearby. Considering the sensational restaurants in the area I feel compelled to give the highest rating.

The whole REGION from Balmain to Abbotsford, including Rozelle, Annandale, Five Dock and Haberfield, and maybe even Glebe, is simply a terrific place. There are countless many water views here along the harbour (not beaches), there is an abundance of parks, even the streets are interesting to look at. The whole area is overflowing with top quality cafes and delicious restaurants.
If I was very very wealthy I would chose to live in this area rather than the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, or for that matter, the Northern Beaches.

Moved to Leichhardt in 2021 and love the proximity of a range of shops and services (both on Norton St and Marion St), quality of restaurants/pubs/bars/nightlife. It's nice and quiet in the side streets away from Parramatta Road and Norton St and it's gentrifying into a nicer area than what I remember. Great for families, good schools, brunch cafes. It feels really safe at all times of the day and night. The parks and close proiximity of the Bay Run/Greenway walks are an added bonus.

I have lived in Leichhardt for 2 years and in the inner west for over 15 years (Balmain for 10, Lilyfield for 2).
ENTERTAINMENT:
Leichhardt has changed a lot since it was Little Italy, but some of these changes are for the better. We have the Palace Cinema for entertainment showing foreign films and festivals and regular premieres and events. There are some great pubs (The Empire Hotel and the Royal Botanical) and great new wine and cocktail bars (The Golden Gully and Creek n Cella), as well as the awesome italian restaurants you would expect (Mario's Pizzeria, Morretti's and family favourite Bar Italia).

Add to this late night venue The Crow Bar for live music and it really has it all, with express bus transport to Sydney CBD, and the Broadway Shopping Centre and Centro even closer.

EDUCATION:
For parents of high school aged children, Leichhardt is in the catchment for Sydney Secondary School (Leichhardt campus) which is in hot demand as a co-educational public school, with sister campuses at Balmain and Glebe.
Additionally, for private schools it is an easy school bus ride to Rosebank (co-ed catholic at Five Dock), Dom Remy (girls, Five Dock), train ride from Petersham to PLC & MLC (girls, Strathfield) and Santa Sabina (girls, Strathfield).

Local primary schools include St Fiacre's (Catholic) and Leichhardt Public, both of which are highly ranked for academic achievement.

A quick bus ride down Parramatta Road takes you to Sydney University, UTS and Notre Dame universities. Buses run frequently.

TRAINS:
Depending on your location, it is an easy walk to Stanmore or Petersham railway stations, about 15-20 mins walk from Norton Street. The train line is the Inner West line which takes you directly to the city in 15 mins. Newtown is on this line, one stop from Stanmore if you're heading over there.
Trains run to Wynyard station (walking access to Barangaroo), which provides easy access (walk across the platform) to head to the North Shore, or you can jump out at Circular Quay to make a ferry connection. It's a simple easy line to use.

FITNESS:
There are many gym options including the council run Leichhardt Aquatic Centre with a large pool and gym, a brand new Fernwood Ladies Gym opening in Annandale, and many gyms on Parramatta Road ranging from personal training (Body By Hewida) to all hours access.

For outdoor exercise, it is conveniently close to the Bay Run and the Green Way (home to a Park Run on Saturdays). There are many boot camps and similar trainers in the area.

PETS:
Leichhardt is very dog friendly with Cafe Bones located in the Green Way, and other off leash areas. Groomers Spoilt Rotten Dogs and Paws on Norton Street will pamper your pets, and the Hound Lounge is close by for dog training. Annandale Animal Hospital and the pet store Pet Stop at the end of Catherine Street are conveniently located near yet another dog friendly park (Memorial Park).

I work in the Lower North Shore and bought a place here due to being priced out and the Western Habour Tunnel being built, this means I can easily commute to work in North Sydney without having to buy/live in a crammed appartment. Once the tunnel is finished, it will be a less than 20 mins trip to the other side of the harbour!

The suburb has everything you need with so many groceries stores and restaurants. I have noticed that there are so many young families around and the local parks and reserves are full of young mums and bubs playing, seeing this of course brings a sense of safety for me.

The downside of living in this suburb is that I now have to get a dog. I feel like you are doing it wrong if you do not have a pet in Leichhardt especially when they have a special park (with gates) to train your puppy.

I'm in my mid-20's and it's definitely full of older folk who have lived in the same home for many decades, but this is changing and evolving due to the proximity to the CBD and easy access to other Inner West hubs like Newtown.

More and more people are realising that Leichhardt has a really convenient location and more young people and wealthy families are moving in (and raising the median sale and rent price at the same time).

Norton St has everything you need so if you're looking for a house, something with an easy walk to it would be recommended.

One of Sydney's biggest Italian hubs and I think that adds a lot of charm and a sense of community.

If you want to head out, Royal Leichhardt is a well-known pub on Norton and Golden Gully is a nice, casual place to have a few. Crowbar is down the road for live music too.

Such a great area with really nice cafes and italian food as well as access to supermarkets. Properties are reasonably priced too but its a bit dirty and some of the people are very strange.

its also definitely not an area for young people. Im 28 but look quiet young (some people say 21) and the amount of ageist and stereotyping seniors I deal with who just hate you for no reason and are so nasty and entitled is ridiculous. It really ruins the area.

Traffic congestion is diminishing the quality of this suburb. Nightlife is good, but of course, this deteriorates a family friendly environment. The education sector is average. Preferably reside in the north western part of Leichhardt because traffic becomes less of a problem as you travel by car to the Sydney CBD and the Parramatta River views become scenic.

I can say that I do not need to travel out of here to support my daily needs. I have everything I need within walking distance. Other nearby suburbs are just a short drive away if you wish to explore more shopping choices. A nice place for families with or without kids.

I have been living in Leichhardt for 10 months since August 2018. I love it! I have a small 1 bedroom property in an old building I pay $440 a week for those who want to know - when I was looking to rent I could not find a 1 bedroom under this price. I love the tree lined streets and easy to walk around neighbourhood. I can walk to the Marketplace to do my grocery shopping which I love. I even walk to work in Ashfield - it takes me about 35 mins!!! If I ever have a day off work and go walking around or to the shops it's full of little old Italians and gym wearing millennials pushing prams - an interesting mix. Lots of pram pushing on Saturday mornings too. I have found the best coffee is at the muffin shop on Norton Street but it's always busy and they are slow. I can walk to Pap's in about 30 mins - at least I get to walk off whatever i eat there (n my dreams!). It's got restaurants and a cinema, it's easy to get into the city in a short period of time. It's a good place to live but its not cheap.