Sydney, Australia Report of what it's like to live there - 11/04/14
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?
Yes.
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?
U.S. - takes about 23 hours (door to door).
3. How long have you lived here?
1 year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Consulate.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Apartments, single houses - communte 15-30 minutes.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can find a lot of varieties but keep in mind that it is a very expensive city. We order a lot from U.S.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
A lot of disposables, medicine for kids, shoes, clothes.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
A lot of options but insanely expensive.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Flies (they love to have a go at your face).
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO, pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Pretty expenvise (US$20/hour).
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes plenty but very expensive. I pay around US$35 a fortnight.
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?
No problem whatsoever.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Plenty, you choose.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, safe and affordable.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, expensive.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Plenty but expensive service fees.
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?
Yes.
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?
Yes, good to work on the local economy.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Plenty.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business, people dress very smart over here.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
None.
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?
Good.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Pollen.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Since we have been here, the weather has been moderate.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
None. Kids can go to local schools. My kids love the school they are enrolled in. I love the program, the teachers and the fact the school is a block from my house.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
They have very good programs. Just have to inquire with each different schools.
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?
Yes but very expensive. (US$100/day or more).
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, plenty.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Size - small; morale - small -- not much getting together.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes. Good for everyone.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
None that we have encountered.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
People, travelling to many locations within Asutralia.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Sydney opera house, harbour bridge, taronga zoo, featherdale zoo, blue mountains, sydney olympic park, plenty of muesums, aquariums and beaches.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Plenty of options.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Culture, great food, people, weather, beaches. This is not a post where you can save money. Things are 3-4 times moe than what they would cost in the States.
10. Can you save money?
NOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How expensive this city is and how broke one can become.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Heck Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Car - buy one here.
4. But don't forget your:
Cosmetics.
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Just your usual tour guide books.
7. Do you have any other comments?
If you are here for a few years enjoy it all you can because coming back on your own dime will be very expensive.
