Moving to Sydney
Like New York, Sydney is reckoned by many to be its nation’s capital, in everything but name. If you’re thinking about emigrating to Australia, it should be one of the places on your list.
Located on the east coast of Australia and built on the shores of Port Jackson, Sydney is the oldest settlement in Australia. Now home to almost five million people, it is a vibrant, sun-soaked city with great diversity.
Sydney is considered a safe place compared to its big city counterparts in the rest of the world. It is not short of attractions either. In addition to having magnificent beaches and parks, Sydney also boasts two world-famous icons: the Sydney Harbour Bridge (built in the 1930's) and the Sydney Opera House (built in the 1960's). Sydney is proud of its multicultural heritage, which is clearly reflected through the wide range of cuisine available in restaurants and at many speciality stores. Combined, these assets make Sydney one of the world's most popular places to visit.
Living in the city
The eastern suburbs and the lower and upper north shores are popular residential areas with expats in Sydney.
- The eastern suburbs of Woollahra, Double Bay, Edgecliff, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay, Darling Point, Point Piper, Elizabeth Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay have some of the most expensive properties in Australia, particularly those with water views. Homes range from smaller terrace houses closer to the city to huge mansions - some with their own moorings.
- Another characterful, and affluent neighbourhood is the Lower North Shore. It comprises Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Mosman and Balmoral. These suburbs are primarily known for their Federation homes. Built in the 1920’s, they have high, wedding cake ceilings, sandstone bases and usually a porch. Some of these homes have been beautifully preserved and others have been split into apartments or duplexes.
- The Upper North Shore region includes Chatswood, Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble and Wahroonga. This area features family homes from Federation to ultra-modern style. These homes are sometimes on large blocks of land with many beautifully landscaped gardens - often with tennis courts and swimming pools.
Young professionals often consider Inner Urgan and Inner Western Suburbs. These suburbs contain a mixture of terraces built in the Victorian era, modern apartments and stately old mansions. These areas are well serviced with public transport, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
Rents in Sydney are quoted by the week, so if you see a house advertised for rent at $500, you should budget to have nine times this amount, or $4,500, available to cover one month's rent and one month as a bond payment (remembering there are more than four weeks in most months).
Getting around
The slightly unplanned nature of Sydney – in contrast with towns like Canberra – makes for a diverse city layout. This has its upsides and downsides. On the plus side it creates areas with their own distinct character. Less good, are the complicated inlets and the surrounding harbour, which can leave you a little isolated and make commuting a nightmare (but at least they drive on the left).
If you don’t fancy battling with the traffic, there are trains, buses and ferries within the Sydney Metropolitan area. The Sydney Transport System website includes trip planners, relevant timetables and fares.
Once you’ve become a natural on the local transport network you’ll want to go explore the surrounding area. New South Wales has a country rail system and Greyhound bus lines also run services to country towns. Popular day outings include the Blue Mountains, Berry down the south coast or north to Terrigal on the central coast.