Rozelle

Inner-west diversity at full tilt — dumplings, grocers and Ashfield Park's green at the centre. Busy, well-fed and easy for an after-dinner lap.

Sydney's Little Italy: Norton Street espresso, gelato and Pioneers Memorial Park for the walk-off. Loud, warm and family-run, dog absolutely welcome.

A quiet inner-west pocket of terraces and leafy lanes, between Summer Hill and Petersham. Low-key, walkable and easy with a dog.

Cooks River wetlands and a big riverside reserve, with off-leash green close by. Walkable and made for a riverside run.

Inner-west industrial-edged near Marrickville, with parks and grit close by. Practical, walkable and good for a quick lap.

Quiet and leafy with local parks and an easy suburban pace. Down-to-earth and good for a no-fuss daily walk.

Little Portugal of the inner west — custard tarts, charcoal chicken and quiet terrace-lined streets. Low-key, leafy and made for a tart-fuelled afternoon walk.

Sydney's Little Italy of the inner west — bakeries, delis and Federation homes on quiet, leafy streets. Heritage-calm and made for an unhurried, pastry-fuelled lap.

Grand terraces, leafy streets and a quiet that belies how close Newtown sits. The inner west's calm side, made for an easy, unhurried walk.

The Inner West at its scruffy best: craft breweries, multicultural eats and Cooks River trails where dogs rule. Come for the dumplings, stay for the off-leash runs.