Inner-city happiness

There may be some merit to the report if research was conducted upon King Street, as most people seemed too rude to respond to questions regarding the report. This is likely a defence mechanism, however, developed amid “chuggers” (charity-muggers) that line Sydney’s streets and tend to gather between the major banks.

Some, however, were willing to respond. One of Newtown’s friendly shopkeepers believes that local residents are happy but that people who come to shop on weekends wear the sour faces. “Not in Newtown,” she insisted. “We embrace everything: the strange, the normal. It’s the best place to live in the world.”

“It happened to Paddington. It was one of the most beautiful places to live before outsiders started to move in.”

One section of the report suggests that people who live in areas where more than 40 per cent of residents were born overseas show lower rates of wellbeing. Dustin, 19, believes that a mix of races in the inner city could lead to unhappiness amongst ethnic groups. “Around Newtown it’s pretty ‘Aussie’, but in the inner city you can’t walk past two people without seeing an Asian face,” he said with a faint smile.

Alsea, from Chicago, denied the claims of the report, affirming she knew her Newtown neighbours well and that she engaged in community activities like yoga and indoor rock climbing. “We have a very nice street, and I think we’re pretty happy,” she said. “[King Street] is a very busy street – there are all sorts of people – but I know other streets that are busy in the United States where you can feel the violence.”

Aydin Kumral has been co-owner and manager of Appetite Café in Redfern since August 2008. His first and lasting impressions of Redfern have been positive. “There is talk about Redfern as a dangerous place, but I have seen a good neighbourhood,” he said. “I am happier here than I expected to be.”

In fact, Mr Kumral and his wife and business partner, Fiona, are so happy they are considering moving to Redfern to live. The Turkish immigrant, who once managed a steak house in Izmir-Cesme (on the west coast of Turkey), also has plans to open Appetite in the evenings. “We might even open another shop in Redfern,” he added.

An amiable and hospitable person, Mr Kumral has noticed that “some people will complain about anything”, and offered the following in respect of happiness: “Treat people well, and they will treat you well.”

Photo: Andrew Collis - Aydin Kumral (right) with Appetite’s chef of five years, Shiriyoza

Source: South Sydney Herald March 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au