Newtown: The inner-west bohemian borough seeing a new wave of gentrification…

Over the years,  the different tribes come and go, from punks to indie rockers, Goths, the gay community and hipsters. All left their mark in some way.

“There are still elements of everything in Newtown,”

Harking back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when this was a prosperous inner-city neighbourhood, the most recent Newtown arrivals are young families drawn to the suburb’s excellent schools, rail links, parks and cafe culture.

For Scott, there’s been one constant over the years: music. He has run Egg Records on Wilson Street since 2000, selling new and used vinyl records, CDs, music DVDs and memorabilia.

Newtown’s vibrant nightlife and music scene have helped define the neighbourhood. Photo: Steven Woodburn

“I’ve seen customers come in with their kids and now their kids are in their 20s and buying music. It’s this circle that perpetuates around music.”

The re-gentrification of Newtown is a work in progress.

Unlike Surry Hills and Paddington, where nearly all the fixer-uppers have been fixed up, Newtown still has a solid selection of terraces with scope to add value.

House prices are up 30 per cent over the past five years, on Domain data. Apartments haven’t experienced the same price growth.

The uni and TAFE student market has been largely priced out of the sought-after northern end of King Street.

“You’ve still got the students and the younger crowd at the southern end, where the rents are more affordable,”

In the 1980s and ‘90s, Newtown was renowned for its live music scene. More recently, tensions between those who love live music and those who prefer a quieter life have simmered.

The Enmore Theatre, in business since the early 1900s, still hosts music and comedy gigs. Many other venues have closed their doors or turned down their volume.

Newtown’s most impressive attributes are in the eye of the beholder. For plenty of families, the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts is a highlight.

Others want to be within walking distance of Sydney Park, the University of Sydney or the TAFE Design Centre at Enmore.

And then there’s King Street, with its astonishing range of cafes, small bars, pubs, restaurants and shops, just four kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD.

Coffee tragic? Try Brewtown Sydney.

“Pay-as-you-feel” vegetarian more your style? Head to Lentil as Anything.

Fancy slurping ramen before you fix your motorcycle? Rising Sun Workshop has you covered.

“Every time you go to King Street, there’s a new place to eat,”