Inner West Is Best!

Last week marked my 6 month anniversary in Australia. 6 months. How did that happen? Time seems to have flown by, but living in London also feels like a lifetime ago, and I really do miss it. After 5 long, long months of hostel living, myself and 2 friends FINALLY moved into a flat in the wonderful Newtown. Never again will I take my own personal space for granted. And never again do I want to live in a room with 9 other people. Never.

Unlike 90% of British/ Irish expats living in Sydney, we decided to avoid moving to the Eastern Suburbs (namely Bondi) and opted for the opposite direction instead, choosing Newtown. Newtown is awesome, end of discussion. No it doesn't have a beach, but what it lacks in sand it makes up for in food, drink and culture. One of the best things about Newtown is the fact it doesn't have any lockout laws. Hurrah! Somehow this suburb managed to escape the glare of the fun police and bars still open their doors till the early hours. 

The amount of food and drink available in Newtown is pretty amazing. and not great for either my health or bank balance. The temptation to eat out or get a take way on the way home for work is tough. I usually give in about 85% of the time. I've only lived in Newtown for just over a month, but have already sampled a fair few of the bars and eateries and have some firm favourites. 

I live right next door to the Coopers Hotel, on King Street, and the upstairs area is perfect for having a day-time drink in the sun. Especially on a Sunday when you can listen to a live acoustic set while sipping on a beer. Websters is currently my favourite place to go for a drink in Newtown, especially if the weather is nice. The roof terrace is awesome and perfect for daytime drinking, while the lower floors are great for evening partying. 

If you've ever walked down King Street then you'll probably have passed the huge queue coming out of The Italian Bowl restaurant. There's a reason for that queue; the place is amazing and only a few minutes walk from my flat. I've lost count of the amount of times I've ordered their Gorgonzola pasta; it's seriously delicious. If you're ever in the area, go for a meal. You won't regret it! I've also tried a few of the Mexican restaurants on King Street that are delicious, but my current addiction is the Italian Bowl, so nothing compares at the moment.

Another thing that's not great for my bank balance? Shopping. And there are so many shops in Newtown. It takes a lot of my energy to stop myself from buying everything in sight. Last week I bought a map for $40. Yep, A MAP. For 40 bucks. What is wrong with me? The amount of vintage/ retro shops is slightly ridiculous but the stuff they sell is always amazing, if slightly overpriced. But that's Sydney for ya. If shopping isn't your thing then checking out the street art is a must. Newtown is definitely the best place in Sydney to head to if you love street art; there are even walking tours of the area that specialise in showing tourists the amazing pieces dotted around.

If you're thinking of moving to Sydney, or even if you're just visiting, Newtown is a must-see place. There's such a buzz about the place and you'll never be stuck for things to do. It might be far from the beach and slightly rough around the edges, but I wouldn't have it any other way!