A survey of Curtin University compares the happiness of people in all electorates in Australia reveals that the Sydney Inner West, covering Annandale, Leichhardt, Petersham, Newtown, Marrickville and Summer Hill, tops the national list for all-round UN-happiness. The Sydney Morning Herald wonders:
“is it aircraft noise, John Howard’s long reign, or being overworked and underpaid that makes the so-called chardonnay socialists of Sydney’s Inner West the most disgruntled people in Australia?”
I must admit that I was surprised by the findings. Arriving in Sydney almost a year ago, I immediately loved Newtown and lived there since. Somehow I think that the descriptions in the Lonely Planet about Newtown fits better:
“a melting pot of social and sexual subcultures, students and home renovators. King Street, its relentlessly urban main drag, is full of funky clothes stores, bookshops and cafes. While it’s definitely moving upmarket, Newtown comes with a healthy dose of grunge, and harbours a decent live music scene”
“a swag of funky cafes and restaurants lining King Street offer an interesting introduction to the suburbs community life”