Edgecliff Suburb Review

Summary: Edgecliff is an inner eastern suburb of Sydney that feels a little like a “bridging” suburb without much individual identity, yet boasts a great centralised location.

Sandwiched between the high-end Rushcutter’s Bay and Double Bay and the grit of Kings Cross, it combines some of the positive and negative elements of both, with both extremely expensive high-end housing & cheaper – yet still fairly pricey – denser options available.

It’s got all the amenities one could need for daily life and good connectivity to the CBD, and those who can deal with a bit of traffic & other ambient noise can snag themselves a very practical spot within easy reach of multiple attractions, shopping options and career opportunities nearby.

Key stats

Edgecliff’s a Sydney suburb that – depending on which side you enter it from for the first time – will convey an entirely different atmosphere to the other.

Perched high up what was previously a literal cliff (hence the name), its northern side that almost imperceptibly melds into the historic and massive estates of Darling Point is a stark contrast to the mostly high-density apartment buildings and duplexes which surround its central train station area.

As a result, the median property prices in Edgecliff are somewhat misleading – the handful of massive heritage houses that occasionally pop up on the market and sell for multiple millions of dollars don’t tell the whole story. That is to say: this is a suburb that, while a little bland physically, remains fairly well priced for renters given its excellent position and short commute times to the Sydney CBD.

Plop down $750 a week on a 1-bedroom apartment and, look at what you’ve got in return: the city literally just down the road (via Kings Cross), plenty of great, green public spaces just a short walk away, access to a range of dining opportunities nearby, and both a well-connected train station and a major arterial road for the daily commute. Add in an extra $100 a week, and you can throw in an extra bedroom and a parking space, too.

While that might not seem “cheap” in terms of the Australian rental average, it’s very reasonably considering where Edgecliff sits and given it doesn’t really have any major weaknesses other than a lack of character and road noise.

New South Head Road is a major thoroughfare that sees heavy traffic, and the thin structure of Edgecliff as a suburb means it’s hard to be in an apartment that’s far enough back from the road. Double glazing can eliminate much of this however, and is worth paying more for in rent for the extra comfort it provides when aiming for a good night’s sleep.

An underrated location

Edgecliff’s location being bordered by a range of high-end, posh suburbslends it an extra layer of safety and a relatively low crime rate given it’s not really a “true” Eastern Suburb. There’s a little bit of spillover from Kings Cross, but it’s well worth dealing with in return for access to the pubs and dining the Cross has as well.

In terms of daily conveniences, the suburb also delivers very well. Edgecliff Station is an obvious selling point – not only for the sub-10-minute commute into the CBD it provides, but also for its built-in shopping opportunities.

Few main train stations are so well equipped with full-blown stores as Edgecliff. Unlike other miniature, tacked-on “metro” mini-marts which feature a sparse product range, there’s a proper Coles here, an ALDI, and its Eastpoint Food Fair offers an excellent array of smaller individual food stores as well.

It might not sound like a “selling point” for a suburb, but you’d be surprised how having all your groceries right in front of you after hopping off the train after a day at work can accumulate time savings. It’s got surprisingly good parking available, as well.

“Edgecliff Station is an obvious selling point – not only for the sub-10-minute commute into the CBD it provides, but also for its built-in shopping opportunities.”

Despite its main strip’s semi-concrete-jungle feel, Edgecliff has some great pockets of greenery both within it and nearby as well – a boon for pet owners in particular. Trumper Park is a bit of a hidden gem with plenty of relaxed greenery that’s pleasant to walk through, or kick the footy around at its neighbouring oval.

The excellent Rushcutter’s Bay Park is likewise just down the hill, meaning you’ve got easy access to one of the best dog parks (with one of the best views) in inner Sydney within an easy walk. While it’s a bit of a pain walking back up the hill, your furry friend will no doubt thank you for the privilege.

Families who can deal with small-scale apartment living will also have access to several quality schools in neighbouring areas nearby, as well as the prestigious Ascham School – one of the country’s oldest girls schools.

A walk through its northern portions is worth doing as well, if only to enjoy the leafy streets and gawk at some of the impressive properties that will be out of reach for most. It’s no surprise given the size of some of these and the fact that they’re practically Darling Point in all but name that their pricetags are incredibly high.

The Verdict

Edgecliff may not be a suburb that’s talked about too often in any other context other than a “means to an end” from people who use it as a transit hub, and that sells the suburb somewhat short.

It’s hard to fault in terms of conveniences, it’s generally safe, and while it has no standout attractions or drawcards to encourage people to visit from elsewhere, it’s by no means dirty or too visually unappealing either.

For young professionals, couples and small-families who are happy to deal with downsized living, waking up in the morning and dealing with a 10 minute commute into the city has a lot of inherent value.

Those who want more space to move and don’t have CEO-level money will likely want to look elsewhere, and it’s not the most exciting suburb in the world – but Edgecliff scores bonus points for daily liveability and deserves more consideration as a viable place to live.