Time and again, the first-home-owning hopes of marketing executive Molly MacDiarmid and her partner were dashed by older buyers.

Marrickville has built its reputation as a trendy enclave but now first home buyers are discovering it's the ideal location Photo: Vaida Savickaite

“We had our hearts broken a couple of times on places that were sold at auction way out of our price range,” MacDiarmid says.

“You’re excited for them because they’re getting their home but it was hard for us.”

Marrickville is an appealing suburb for first home buyers due to its closeness to the city, its vibrant cafe and shopping scene and its relative affordability. Photo: Vaida Savickaite

Last month, after a four-month stint of hardcore house-hunting, the young couple finally made it into the market, with a two-bedroom apartment in an older-style red-brick block in Marrickville.

“It’s been partially updated but there’s definitely a bit of work to do.”

The inner-west suburb appealed because of its relative affordability, proximity to the CBD, excellent transport links and outstanding shopping and cafe scene.

Seven kilometres from Central station, the neighbourhood has a train station on the Bankstown line, regular buses and access to Dulwich Hill trains and light rail from the south-western part of the suburb.

Due to its popularity, investment into public transport in Marrickville is underway with the development of the new Metro station. Photo: Vaida Savickaite

When the Sydney Metro is extended in a few years, a train should depart Marrickville station every four minutes during peak hour, providing access to stops including Central (10 minutes away), Barangaroo (16 minutes) and Macquarie University (36 minutes).

“It’s just got so much vibrancy,” MacDiarmid says.

“It’s close to the city and there are pockets that still don’t feel too fixed-up or gentrified but still have that raw part of the inner west that we really love.”

Raine & Horne Marrickville principal Filippo D’Arrigo has been selling homes in this part of Sydney for two decades.

Without too much gentrification, Marrickville’s main streets have come alive with exquisite eateries and shopping venues. Photo: Vaida Savickaite

In that time, he has witnessed the main streets of Marrickville transform from strips of modest sandwich shops and cheap-and-cheerful takeaways to an eclectic range of cafes, restaurants and wine bars, as well as the revamped Marrickville Metro shopping centre.

“You’ve got eateries from your typical Asian old-school cheap eats to something a little bit more fancy,” D’Arrigo says.

Hello Auntie, VN Street Foods, Two Chaps, Warren & Holt and West Juliett are among a long list of local faves.

Marrickville has also added “small bar superstar” to its profile, with choices including Where’s Nick, Camelot Lounge, Gasoline Pony and Lazybones.

Popular cafes and restaurants like The Vic On The Park have helped establish the suburb as a trendy spot. Photo: Vaida Savickaite

For first-home buyers, D’Arrigo breaks down the typical property choices into two categories: apartments under $650,000 or houses, including semis and terraces, around the $1.4 million mark.

Older families tend to favour homes in Marrickville’s south, where there are bigger parcels of land, wide, tree-lined streets and easy access to the golf club and riverside parklands. 

Buyers are often prepared to pay a premium to secure a home within the Tempe High School catchment.

Other high-school options include Marrickville High School, Casimir Catholic College and Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. Marrickville has public and Catholic primary schools.

Depending on their needs, first home buyers either choose between an apartment closer to the main streets or a house on a decent block of land. Photo: Vaida Savickaite

“The south end attracts more larger families,” D’Arrigo says.

“North of Sydenham Road, it’s more densely populated and there’s more activity, which tends to attract younger purchasers.”

The Top Two

55 Llewellyn Street

Across the road from Enmore Park, this updated home has fresh, contemporary interiors, including whitewashed timber floors and exposed brickwork in the open-plan living area, which flows through to a sleek al fresco space and lawn. 

Hudson McHugh takes the home to auction on May 15 with a guide of $1.6 million-$1.7 million.

55 Llewellyn Street, Marrickville NSW 2204, 3Beds1Bath1Parking

Set within a converted box factory in the north of Marrickville, this apartment is within easy walking distance of King Street’s buzzy restaurant and cafe scene.

12/29-35 Cowper Street

The two-storey layout includes a bedroom on each floor, a covered balcony and generous storage. 

Ben Bickmore-Hutt takes the home to auction on May 11 with a guide of $950,000. 

By ELICIA MURRAY