Crows Nest named most liveable suburb in Sydney

LOCALS are not surprised that family-friendly Crows Nest has been named the most liveable suburb in Sydney.

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IT’S OFFICIAL. The Nest is the best. That’s Crows Nest on Sydney’s north shore.

The suburb has been identified as Sydney’s most liveable spot in the latest Urban Living Index. And for locals that’s no surprise.

“People here know how fantastic it is,” said Zar Bingham owner of ZarBar.

“People outside would be surprised.”

Los Vida is one of many popular restaurants in Crows Nest. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Crows Nest, known as Crowie, is famous for restaurants, shopping and a family-friendly atmosphere.

It celebrated the 26th year of the hugely popular Crows Nest Festival in October.

And every month it hosts a market on the village green with children’s entertainment and a barbecue.

There is lots in store for the suburb with a new Woolworths under construction and plans for a Coles supermarket.

“I think it mainly comes down to the fact it’s a village,” said Ms Bingham, who is also a committee member of the Crows Nest Mainstreet group.

“A lot of people stop and chat to each other on the street.”

Astrid Hicks, 8, at the Crows Nest Festival. Picture: David Swift

The results of the survey were also welcomed by North Sydney Council as six of its suburbs made the top ten.

“This study shows that North Sydney Council continues to deliver a high standard of service,” said general manager Warwick Winn.

Resident Ruth Holmes moved to Crows Nest from Mosman three years ago and is very happy in the suburb.

“It’s very friendly and a good place for dogs,” she said.

“There’s a lot of young families around which is nice.”

Local Ruth Holmes and with Polly the cavoodle. Picture: Virginia Young

WHAT IS THE URBAN LIVING INDEX?

Crows Nest and Waverton have been together ranked as Sydney’s most liveable suburbs.

The harbourside locations shared the equal top spot with Surry Hills in the latest Urban Living Index.

Scores were granted under five categories: affordability, community, employability, amenity and accessibility.

The suburbs were then scored out of 100. Crows Nest and Waverton took a combined 85 points.

The study was carried out by McCrindle for Urban Taskforce Australia, a group representing property developers and equity financiers.

The proposed new Sydney Metro station at Crows Nest.

“I think it (Crows Nest) has got a lot going for it,” said Chris Johnson chief executive of Urban Taskforce.

“Once you get a new railway station it’s a sign more density can go in that area.”

The State Government recently announced that a station is planned at Crows Nest for the Sydney Metro.

Other local suburbs in the top 10 were North Sydney and Lavender Bay alongside Neutral Bay and Kirribilli.

The Urban Living Index is a tracking tool helping cater for population growth and the needs of people living in high-density housing.

THE TOP 20

■ Crows Nest/Waverton

■ Surry Hills

■ Pyrmont/Ultimo

■ Marrickville

■ Potts Point/Woolloomooloo

■ North Sydney

■ Randwick

■ Chatswood/Artarmon

■ Leichhardt/Annandale

■ Neutral Bay/Kirribilli

■ Hornsby/Waitara

■ Newtown/Camperdown/ Darlington

■ Parramatta/Rosehill

■ Darlinghurst

■ Waterloo/Beaconsfield

■ Manly/Fairlight

■ Redfern/Chippendale

■ Erskineville/Alexandria

■ Double Bay/Bellevue Hill

■ Bondi/Tamarama/Bronte

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