Sydney, Australia Report of what it's like to live there - 03/17/15
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?
No - Morocco, France, Spain.
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?
FL - insanely long - you lose track of time and it takes a week to recover from jetlag.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
No USG owned housing so it all depends where you end up. Commute times vary - if you live on the North Shore, you have to contend with the bridge traffic and occasional shut downs due to accidents. In the Eastern suburbs, it's the tunnels. Overall, for a city this large, we can't complain. I use buses and couldn't be happier (well I could be if it was cheaper).
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
All very expensive - we buy on Amazon and patiently wait one to two weeks to get our stuff just to save money! Make-up is just ridiculous and forget about good quality clothes at an affordable price!
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
We shipped cleaning supplies and beauty products.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Anything your heart desires but - have I said this before - it's expensive!!! We only go out about once a month and we're usually disappointed. Asian food is the best here.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
That's a sore subject for those of us who are afraid of bugs, spiders and snakes. They're everywhere and they're huge. Some of the most poisonous spiders are around here and you'll see them. The locals don't mind but I'm always scared. Even birds will come after you around nesting season! This is a wild land!
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO, slow.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
I didn't even bother to check but I think it's around US$20-$25 per hour.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Plenty, around US$40 every 2 weeks (or fortnight as they say here).
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?
All safe everywhere - Westpac has an agreement with Bank of American so you don't pay any fees when you use them.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You have all you need.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Accomodations are made but it's a European style city where you need to be able to walk from place to place, at least in the CBD.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
All great and convenient. Not cheap - I pay around US$45 per week.
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?
You can't bring your car from the states, you can buy one here but it'll cost you, along with the rego (registration) and insurance!! Parking it also outrageous and you have to pay anywhere you park!
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, not great, around US$75/month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Plans are OK - as with everything else, not enough competition translates into poor and expensive service. Looking back, we should have gone with pay-as-you-go because their plans stink.
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?
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, you can get paid the prevailing local wage and will do well but it's not easy to get a full-time job.
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?
Aussies dress up - women almost exclusively wear dresses/skirts and heels.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
It's one of the safest cities I've lived in - our kids feel comfortable getting on buses and trains to meet their friends and go out on the town.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No concerns, good health care.
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?
Excellent - some allergies.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Yes, typical pollen and other allergies.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Dry winter and wet summer but very stable and pleasant temperatures year-round. It can get very hot January-March.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
No true international school here and no American school - plus they're on the southern hemisphere schedule so your kids will be pushed up or back when they arrive and that really messes them up. We're not thrilled with the educational system, it's really based on the old-style British system - stiff and unresponsive.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
No personal knowledge but they don't seem to be very advanced - no special ed kids integrated into the regular schools that I could notice.
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?
Not sure but I hear it's expensive and there are waiting lists.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, mostly cricket, netball and rugby.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small and all spread out - people do their own thing on the weekend and there's very little organized by the CLO - when they have one.
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?
Since movies run about US$20/person, we look for free things like hiking, the beach etc.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes, good for all IF you are willing to spend a fortune on just about everything and know you won't be able to save anything. What's more, your local staff will be earning a hell of a lot more than you because of the high local wages!
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?
Aussies are friendly, open and very egalitarian in their approach - perhaps a bit too naive also!
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Certainly anything having to do with the great outdoors, the beaches and parks. Problem is there's not a lot of culture or history and everything is SO far and SO expensive that you tend to just stick around your area and after a while, it gets boring.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Too many to list, get a good guide book and bring your savings!
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not much that's tempting - aborignal art if that's what you're into.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Beautiful nature, very little culture shock, very safe, enjoyable weather most of the year, friendly people.
10. Can you save money?
NOOOOO
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How British it really is in many ways. How expensive it is.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Not for extended periods of time but it's a lovely and pleasant place for vacation.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter clothes, expectation to save money.
4. But don't forget your:
Sense of adventure.
