My company is sending me on an expat position to Sydney, Australia for a period of two years. Since I have no ‘real’ knowledge about the place (only websites, I’m afraid), I would appreciate if the Sydney locals (Sydnesians?) or people who have lived there can give me some hints and tips on having a great two years living in Sydney.
Anything is welcome, just throw out suggestions on stuff to do, stuff to see and explore, the singles scene over there (relevant to a hetero male)…
Hope to see you at a Sydney Dopefest soon!!
PS. I got a ticket to the Rage Against the Machine concert in Melbourne… Woohoo!!
I hope you enjoy your time here in Sydney ShakWave. How soon is the move?
As for tips: bring lots of money. It’s an expensive city in which to live. Otherwise it’s a bit difficult to give you specific tips on what to do if you’re going to be here for two years. That’s more than enough time to do all of the obvious “touristy” things. If you want to, you’ll be able to do quite a bit of travelling around Australia in that time.
Perhaps you should consider initially whereabouts in Sydney you want to live. The suburbs? Inner city? Close to beaches? Will you be driving or relying on public transport? What sort of rental allowance will your company be providing? Where will you be working - the Sydney CBD or elsewhere?
Don’t live in the suburb of Redfern. I lived there for a year, and where I was staying was perfectly pleasant, but it does have a poor reputation, and there are much better places to be, so my advice is to find a different suburb to live in.
I think as a hetero male, your first trip should be to Oxford St and then down to the Wall
Okay, tongue out of cheek now.
To really give an accurate answer of what you need to know, I’ll second that you give Cunctator’s questions a quick squizz and answer what you can. Sydney is a big city (by Australian standards) and a lot of the answers you get will depend on the answers to those questions.
Also bear in mind that there’s something like 1000kms between Sydney and Melbourne- there’s plenty of cheap flights, but don’t think you can drive from Sydney to Melbourne, see the concert, and still get home that evening in time for work the next morning. (I’m guessing you probably knew that, but a lot of people overseas have some rather odd ideas about Australian geography).
One other thing: If you value your sanity, get a GPS unit for your car. Sydney is a nightmare to drive in. Probably not as bad as some American cities, but still hair-raising nonetheless IMHO.
Cunctator, my work permit is in progress and is expected to take around 2 or 3 weeks. I have been told that I should live in Pyrmont, Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay, Ultimo or anything in Sydney CBD. My company is giving a bit less than AUD 500 per week as rental. Can I get something good with that sort of money? I suppose I could get a car if I wanted, but one of my friends there mentioned that I wouldn’t be too handicapped if I didn’t get one.
$500 a week for rent should probably be ok if you want to live close to the city.
I almost moved into a 3bedroom unit in Pyrmont last year, and it was about $900 per week.
Oxford Street is THE gay street in Sydney, although it is quite good for non-gay clubs, it’s also where you’d find Stonewall, Arq, and if you dare, The Midnight Shift.
But let me stress, there are very good non-gay clubs there aswell.
The Wall? Funnily enough, a large wall where young male prostitutes search for work.
At the moment you should be able to rent a decent furnished one bedroom apartment right in the middle of the CBD for $400 - $500. If you are going to live anywhere near the city a car is often a pain in the ass. Bits of Pyrmont and Ultimo are a little way from the rail lines which represent the easisest way to get around.
Yes, as others have said, $500 per week should get you something decent in any of those suburbs. And if you live in the inner city area, you don’t need a car. There’s plenty of public tranport, and you could easily walk to work and most city attractions.
I liked the bars and restaurants and studenty atmosphere in Newtown. Living at Darling Harbour would be too sterile for me, but somewhere near the CBD down George St a bit would be nice.
It depends a bit on the part of Redfern. Some parts are definitely more salubrious than others e.g. closer to Surry Hills (like the area we discussed previously) and not near the station and the infamous Eveleigh Street Block.
Another Newtown devotee chiming in here. The best eating, shopping, happening, pumping, Bohemian, artistic strip in Sydney. The northern end near Sydney Uni and Macdonaldtown station is the best.
Sadly I’ve just moved out of it for lurve, but I plot and plan to get me and my beloved back there, oh yes I do …
I live in the eastern suburbs with a view of the beach and right on public transport, walking distance to pubs etc.
I would suggest not getting tied into a 12 month lease, but look for something with 6 months or less. That way you can begin to learn the city and decide where it is you want to live.
I have lived also in Newtown and Glebe. Both are fantastic.
Here are some rental options in Glebe and Newtown.
What do you enjoy? Maybe we can recommend some more specific, local places of interest.
I also agree that Darling Harbour would be quite a sterile place to live in.
I’m an American expat who just bought a house in Newtown, and I third that sentiment - hip, funky, the rent you’ve quoted is just fine and public transport is easy to anywhere.
I liked it just fine, where I was living. Except the day I walked past the murder investigation going on out in the street, that was a bit dodgy. But it has a very bad reputation, so if you tell anybody that you live in Redfern, it instantly brands you.
The place I will be working at is on Elizabeth Street, which is, as per Google Maps, pretty close to the Cross City Tunnel and Hyde Park. I would want to live preferably some place close to the office or at least at an easy commute. I’ve been told that I should get my visa in the first week of December so I should be in Sydney some time around the 10th of December. I’ve heard New Year’s Eve in Sydney is absolutely amazing, so I’m thrilled to be there in time for the celebrations.
If there are any other tips on unique aspects of Australian culture you guys would like to share, please go ahead. If the non-Aussies have something interesting to say about Sydney or Australian culture, I would like to hear that too.
