17 things all Sydney's inner west residents know to be true

As it gentrifies and sheds its industrial past, the inner west of Sydney is becoming one of the unofficial “hipster” capitals of the world.

And there’s lots to do even when you’re not watching live music, throwing impromptu park parties or drinking a long black at the latest Instagram-approved cafe.

The locals know all about the ins and outs of the arts and culinary scenes and wouldn’t be caught dead in a chain store.

1. You’ve come to find the flight path noise comforting and it actually soothes you to sleep.

2. You like that you can go out in Newtown and not have to deal with lockout laws, but you would prefer if everyone else stopped coming and making it so, ah, mainstream.

Venues in Newtown and Enmore such as the Marlborough Hotel have become more popular as lockout laws have pushed revellers out of the CBD.
Photo: Commercial Real Estate

3.You’re happy to give tourists directions to the Fish Market but you don’t necessarily see the appeal of it yourself.

4. Crossing the Harbour Bridge is like entering a whole other world.

5. You cried tears of joy when you found out your street had parking. Not that you can ever really find a spot.

Avoiding road traffic: Cyclists at Timbrell Park, Five Dock.
Photo: Quentin Jones.

6. Will the 370 bus show up? Who knows? But you’d rather catch it than risk death riding your bike on the haphazard cycle lanes.

7. It can be disheartening when “unliveable” derelict houses in your suburb keep selling for a bomb.

8. Sometimes you decide to settle for the “good” coffee because the “excellent” coffee is another 100 metres away.

Just cannot get enough of that hot bitter caffeine.
Photo: Christopher Pearce.

9. You have an essay worth of detailed thoughts on craft beer that will probably come out once you’ve drunk around four of them. “It’s very hoppy for an ale.”

10. You’re convinced it’s appropriate to wear black denim and Doc Martens all 365 days of the year.

11. Going to the markets on Saturday thinking you don’t need anything, then coming home with bags full of goods and candles.

If you haven’t been to Glebe markets do you really live in the inner west?
Photo: Christopher Pearce.

12. Hard decisions: Which Thai restaurant to go to in Marrickville, or which Italian restaurant to go to in Leichhardt.

13. Feeling confident that you can go out and get a delicious vegan meal that’s more than just leaves.

14. Sometimes you feel insecure about your haircut not being edgy enough.

Terrace houses in Erskineville: they’re not well heated but they make a perfect sharehouse.
Photo: Fiona Morris.

15. Drive down King Street? On a Saturday? You’re joking. But please don’t mention Westconnex and traffic congestion…

16. Wondering what’s the go with Macdonaldtown station? Nobody ever gets on or off there.

17. You’re probably paying too much to live in a freezing cold terrace house, but you still believe inner west is best.