Balmain

Balmain feels like a village within the city, with old houses, good restaurants, and waterfront walks. The ferry ride over is nice. More expensive but very safe and has a lot of character.

Balmain feels like a village that happens to be 15 minutes from the CBD by ferry, which is part of its charm. The ferry ride itself is half the experience - scenic and safe with good security at both terminals. Darling Street has that small-town main street vibe where locals know each other and solo visitors are welcomed rather than ignored. Saturday markets have a real community feel with families browsing local crafts and produce. The pubs and restaurants are geared toward locals rather than tourists, which means quieter crowds and staff who actually live in the area. The waterfront walks are gorgeous during the day with views back to the city, but stick to Darling Street after dark because those harbor paths don't have much lighting. The residential streets are picture-perfect with heritage cottages and locals who'll give you directions if you look lost. Crime is pretty minimal - mostly just the usual urban precautions about not leaving valuables visible.