Sydney, Australia Report of what it's like to live there - 09/01/12
Personal Experiences from Sydney, Australia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Los Angeles and an additional five hours from D.C. Australia seems to be nearly 8 hours minimum from everywhere, with the exception of New Zealand and Papua, New Guinea.
3. How long have you lived here?
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
(The contributor is posted at the U.S. Consulate General and has been living in Sydney for two years.)
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing opportunities with short-term leases are spread across the city. Usually families live in the northern (north of the harbour) or eastern suburbs. Single and couples live near North Sydney or in the central business district (CBD). Commute time from CBD apartments is 10 to 20 minutes walkling. North Sydney is 30 to 40 minutes by bus or train. Outer suburbs ... not sure. Where you live will dictate to a large extent the character of your tour. Choose wisely!
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything costs nearly twice as much as in Washington D.C. The selection is wide at Wollies, Coles, and Aldi. Specialty stores such a Thomas Dux, Norton St. Grocers and David Jones are among the many independent stores, and they should help keep you stocked. With the strong Aussie dollar, many American products are starting to appear on shelves. Asian products are many and widely available.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Just about everything is available in Sydney for a price. We shipped a load of items from Costco to save money. If you do ship items, check the quarantine rules. HHE and UAB will be checked. Costco opened in Auburn after we arrived, but it is not close to any consulate housing. If you love a particular item and it is commercially processed and not on the quarantine list, you won't have a problem.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Everything is available. Everything costs about twice you would imagine.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We didn't encounter any problems, however suburban folk mentioned wearing gloves when cleaning shrubs and gardening due to poisonous spiders. Lots of poisonous critters.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Most things can be shipped to the DPO, which is a luxury! The few items that cannot can be routed to the personal pouch address.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Ha! Ha! They might make more than you do and will be unaffordable for most people. A couple families brought their help from previous assignments.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Many people join Fitness First, which is as overpriced as it is inevitable. For $80 a month you will experience somewhat overcrowded and under-cleaned facilities. But they have many locations and are convenient. Virgin Gyms have recently opened, and although they are awesome, at around $110 they are significantly more expensive.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
We didn't even need to open a bank account in Australia. We were able to get by with credit cards and ATMs. The ATMs are safe and accessible.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Uh, Yes!
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
News stands are plentiful. Mostly American and British television programing. Foxtel and Optus are the major players. Many over-the-air channels. If you like Big Bang Theory and Two-and-a-Half Men, you'll be in heaven.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Just avoid saying "root" and get used to the phrase, "How you going?" You will score points with the locals using the following pronunciation guide: Canberra = Can-bra, Cairns = Cans, and Melbourne = Mel-bun.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
The sames as any large American city. Google Sydney transport.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Safe, absolutely! Taxi drivers are mostly honest, and buses and trains are almost on schedule and relatively inexpensive (for Sydney). Expect to pay $3.50 AUD for a one-way train ticket. A train ticket to the airport will set you back $15-AUD.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Buy locally or not at all. Australia does not allow you to import left-hand drive vehicles, so you have no choice but to buy on the local market at exorbitant prices. If you can manage, live in the CBD and take public transportation.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Shopping for internet can be an exercise in frustration, as the industry has the transparency of mattress companies in the U.S. There is no such thing as unlimited data, so most companies have plans with different speeds, data caps, and accessories thrown in. Telstra is the the biggest player, but they have binding two-year contracts, which can be difficult to negotiate for people on two-year assignments. Some of the smaller companies might be more flexible: Optus or iiNET, for example.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Do they ever! Rabies does not exist in Australia, so they have incredibly strict quarantine requirements for your pet. If you can start the process early, then you can reduce your pet's stay in quarantine to the 30-day minimum. At the time of this writing, the cost for a dog in quarantine was $40/per dog per day, not including the charges for mandatory vet visits. Intrepid are the souls who bring their pets to Australia.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Yes, in the suburbs. If you live in the CBD, you will rarely see dogs, and then only small ones.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Management is great about providing plenty of opportunities for EFMs at the consulate. The private sector proved tougher than expected for many of the EFMs. An EFM nurse worked at a hospital and a couple of teens were working at local restaurants. Even barista jobs (at Starbuck's for example) are difficult to get, as they require an expensive TAFE certification.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Suits and business-casual at work. In public anything goes. It's not unusual to see bare feet in the beach suburbs or on the bus. You won't look out of place wearing an NBA or MLB cap with running shoes.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
If you are out late, beware of drunks. We would often hear of large drunken brawls in the Rocks, Darling Harbour, and Kings Cross. Australians even use the term 'glassing' for hitting someone over the head with a bottle. Although we were never harassed, we did encounter Asians being harassed on trains and in the CBD.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Usually fine. Controlled burns occasionally cause problems in Sydney.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
An earlier poster sums it up nicely: Rainy winters with sunny days, and sunny summers with rainy days. Sydneysiders swear it's been unusually wet the last two summers.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Available and expensive from what we hear.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Sports programs are compulsory for kids. Aussies take their athletics very seriously.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge!
2. Morale among expats:
Mostly great! Though in our experience, Sydney wasn't for everyone. Many people missed the close-knit communities of hardship assignments, and some young families found the prices so high as to be nearly untenable.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Good for all. Singles and couples living outside the CBD often complain about being lonely. Consider living in the CBD. Families seem to make local friends with many kids' activities available.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Sydney is a very tolerant city. The Sydney Mardi Gras parade should be on your bucket list whether you're straight or gay.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Be prepared to be lectured on civil rights, immigration, indigenous peoples, and religious tolerance even though Australian face the same issues.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Uluru, Kangaroo Island, Western Australia, proximity to New Zealand, and interesting wildlife you will not see anyplace else.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Take a train to the Blue Mountains, hike along the coast, enjoy water sports --- including but not limited to paddle boarding, dragon boating, and kayaking. Sydney is your oyster!
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not as much as you might think. Aside from Aboriginal arts and crafts, there aren't many uniquely local products. Tim-tams and Vegemite come to mind.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Beaches, bush walking, water sports, wine, excellent food, concerts, theater, etc.
11. Can you save money?
Not even close!
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely!
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Expectations that Sydney will be perfect, and the notion that you can drive to the Great Barrier Reef. Most things in Australia are further than you might imagine.
3. But don't forget your:
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
In a Sunburned Country
A Town Like Alice
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
(for the scenery and a bit of history)
6. Do you have any other comments?
New Year's Eve in Sydney is the event of a lifetime. Shell out the money for a nice view instead of waiting for 12-hours in the hot sun.
