10 Things You Wish You Knew Before Moving to Sydney 

Despite the fact that Sydney is a fantastic city to live in, there are a few things you wish someone had told you before you moved here. I can’t express how beneficial it is for anyone considering relocating to Sydney – the healthy lifestyle, the weather, and so on.

There are a few things about Sydney that you won’t realize unless you live here. Others are wonderful, some are horrible, and some simply make you wish you valued your home more. Here’s a list of ten things you probably didn’t know before relocating to Sydney.

It’s outrageously expensive

If you live in Sydney, your bank account will quickly deplete, and it will be difficult to recoup without a good-paying job and a large bank account.

Sure, it’s a bargain compared to New York and comparable to London and Paris. The Australian dollar is also far weaker than many of its western peers. But, especially if you’re from a place or nation where you’re used to getting more bang for your buck, the cost element is something I wouldn’t overlook.

If you’re a backpacker on a working vacation visa, you’ll be able to get by if you’re ready to live the true backpacker lifestyle. That means foregoing all creature comforts, staying in the most basic of hostels, and foregoing the pricey activities and high-quality international cuisine on offer.

If you enjoy going to the beach and are easily delighted, a minimum wage job can be a good fit for you.

However, if you want to stay for a year or more and want to experience the true Aussie culture, save your money. Save a lot of money, then save some more.

Drinking laws in Sydney

I think people in the United Kingdom believe Australia is a laid-back tropical paradise where people just laze about drinking Fosters and surfing all day, but the reality is that Sydney and its state of NSW are quite tight when it comes to alcohol rules.

To work at a bar, you’ll need to take an RSA course, and there’s a lockout law that prevents you from entering any bar or club after 1 am, so plan ahead. The irony, right? Doormen aren’t very pleasant either, and won’t let you into a bar if you appear like you’ve had a couple of drinks.

Expect quiet night time in Sydney CBD; I believe people prefer to host house parties because drinking out is so pricey. Also, don’t anticipate it to be acceptable to drink outside a pub on the street, as it is in London, because this will never happen in Sydney.

Cafes and shops closing hours 

Expect Sydney’s shops to close earlier than those in London, however, there is late night shopping on Thursdays until 9 p.m., otherwise, it’s 5:30 p.m. throughout the week and 5 p.m. on weekends. On weekends, though, cafes close at 4 p.m., which is a bummer but you get used to it.

Transport is not that great 

Sydney’s public transportation is poor, and traffic is even worse. You’ll normally only have one mode of transportation to go around, and many people drive to work, but you’ll grow used to it. Although all ex-pats complain about how horrible the system is, the transportation is cleaner, and you’ll be able to obtain a seat rather than being forced up against the tube doors as you would in London.

In Sydney, people also don’t know how to drive. You don’t need lessons to acquire a license, so anyone can teach you. If you put in enough hours, you’ll be able to get your license while driving blindfolded!

The utilization of the slow, middle and fast lanes is also not a major issue, thus everyone takes their time. This was something that initially alarmed me!

RBTs (random breathalyzer testing) are also popular among cops, so drink responsibly. If you’re driving, you can have one drink every hour – crazy, right?

Competitive job market

Getting a job in Sydney is difficult for most ex-pats at first. Just be aware that it might not arrive as soon as you’d want. This, I believe, is due only to a higher skilled-to-job ratio.

Recruiters and potential employers are sceptical of newcomers to the country and their plans to stay, just as they are anyplace else, I’m sure. As a result, be prepared to answer questions regarding your ties to the country and your long-term goals.

Be mindful that standing out and being hired can be difficult. You may need to start in a position that is one or two steps below your former position, as well as accept a salary that is slightly lower than your typical pay grade.

On the bright side, many Australian businesses want to “test before they buy,” so take advantage of this to get your foot in the door. Choose a three- to six-month contract at a little lesser position, then demonstrate your ability and dedication.

It will be much easier to get another longer-term position inside the company or in the same industry from here. Even better, you’ll have an Australian reference when you leave the job.

Buying a house is ridiculously

Looking for some houses for sale in the Inner West? Well, most things in Australia are expensive, but buying a home in Sydney is nearly impossible. A one-bedroom apartment in a good neighbourhood can cost upwards of $700,000. The further west you go in Sydney, the cheaper it gets, but if you want to live in the finer areas, you’ll have to pay more. The majority of people I know who still own at least one home in the United Kingdom must rent in Sydney.

Sydney is as beautiful as pictures

Bondi Beach and the neighbouring beaches are just as beautiful as you’d expect. It does not disappoint, unlike some of the world’s most famous and photographed beaches. However, because it is one of the most well-known beaches in the world, it is inevitably crowded on a hot summer day. That means if you want a more peaceful beach day, you should walk the easy 1km Coogee walk to one of the other beaches.

You won’t be wasting your time because it’s a beautiful scenic walk with more lookout places to stop and appreciate than you’ll have time for. Along the road, there are also cafes and parks.

Outside of Bondi, the northern beaches are as beautiful. These locations are ideal for surfers and other athletic people who enjoy water activities.

It provides a fantastic way of living

Australians know how to strike a work-life balance. And, since the weather is usually pleasant, you may take advantage of it once you’ve left the office for the day. That means your beaching, barbeques, sports, and restaurant dining after 5 p.m. will be time well spent.

It’s rather easy to get away from the rush and bustle if it becomes too much. A fast 30-minute train ride will whisk you away to the suburbs, where you’ll find everything you need without the hustle and bustle of city life.

People love to take care of their health and wellness 

In Sydney, the majority of the population is health-conscious, which makes you want to join the club as well. Something I never thought was that I’d be getting on the fitness bandwagon and working out with everyone else in Sydney before work and during my lunch hour.

Everyone is so friendly

Having nice people around you creates a positive atmosphere that makes everyone feel happy. Do you know that Sydney has been rated the friendliest city in the world?

Sydney, in my opinion, has a far nicer, friendlier feel than London, and while all of these things were unexpected when I moved over, I quickly adjusted because none of them mattered in the end because my new way of life was utterly priceless.

Have you recently relocated to Sydney and discovered anything unexpected? Please let me know in the comments section below! Also, you can share this post if you think it’s helpful to other readers.