Sydney, Australia Report of what it's like to live there - 05/02/18
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. I have previously served in Brazil, Mexico, and lived in other cities in South America before joining the Foreign Service.
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?
Midwest. Unless you live in a city that has a direct flight to Sydney, plan on 20-28 hours travel time, as well as an awful readjustment to US time. Currently, Sydney has direct flights to LA, San Francisco, Dallas, and Houston.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years. For prices, note that the exchange rate while we were here was on average 1.3 AUD to 1.0 USD.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Foreign Service.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Sydney doesn't have a fixed housing pool, though Management tries to hold on to housing that we already have, as well as family size/position grade work out. Given who is leaving or arriving at post at any given time, you may be able to express some opinions on housing, or you may already have a housing assignment ready for you.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Pretty much the same as the US, with maybe a better international foods selection. Prices were reasonable- most meat, chicken, seafood, etc. was comparable in price to US, or even a bit cheaper maybe. Fruits and vegetables obviously vary with the seasons. You should not struggle to find things here.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Unless you have really particular brands/flavors you like, you will not starve here.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Everything you can imagine. Tax is included in the price, and there's no tipping, so you pay the price listed. Depending on the place you go to and the size of your family, eating out can sometimes even be comparable in price to cooking a meal from scratch at home.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We lived in an apartment, so no issues, but people in houses may deal with insects/spiders.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Normal DPO. No experience with local postal facilities.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
$$$$.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Comparable to US.
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?
Credit cards are about all Australians use, at least in large cities. Tap cards are super common here; you should get a debit card that is tap-friendly when you set up your bank account. American cards are fine, but people just may be confused sometimes that you have to sign the card.
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?
Just know that whenever you pronounce a place name, you're probably saying it wrong.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
There may be a few more accessibility issues than in the US (for example, when we first arrived here, the train station near our place had no elevator from street level to the train platform) but it appears that every effort is being made to make sure that Sydney is accessible. Sydney is very hilly- this may cause issues for some people.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Safe? Yes. Comprehensive? Yes. Expensive? Yes. Plan on spending anywhere from USD 2.50-6.00 per trip (via train, bus, or ferry).
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?
We lived downtown, and relied exclusively on public transportation; we did not take a car. There's no parking at the consulate, so everyone takes public transit to work. You'll have to both buy and sell the car locally, so if you think you'll use it, go for it.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We had unlimited broadband plus cable for about USD 75-80/month. Australia is in the process of constructing a national broadband network, so your house or building may or may not have access; the internet providers can let you know if you have broadband capacity or not. No problems with speed or streaming. You have to have an Australian bank account to get internet, but the consulate will give you a letter to help set you up with a bank account. We had internet within 10 days of arriving in Sydney. Note that the company will send you the router for you to connect yourself; you can have it installed, but be prepared to shell out some $$.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
We had unlimited data and calls with Optus for about US$55/month. No issues with phone service or customer service.
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?
There are jobs available at the consulate, and spouses have worked both at the consulate and in the local economy. It obviously can take a while to find employment either way.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Standard State Department.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Sydney is by far the safest city I've lived in.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care comparable to US. In our limited experience, medical costs (whether covered by insurance or out-of-pocket) were FAR cheaper than comparable care in the US.
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?
No concerns about air quality.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Nope.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Doesn't get much colder than 40s in winter, may hit 100 (and humid) in summer. Still better than DC.
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
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?
Hang out with people at work; try and make friends locally- it's all up to you
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Nightlife for single people, great communities for families- it's Sydney.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No problems.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No problems.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Tasmania, the Outback, Queensland, Melbourne. Take a road trip if you can. If you don't have kids and/or money is less of an issue, take advantage and travel to New Zealand, the South Pacific, or Southeast/East Asia.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
You will not run out of things to do in this city. Your entertainment options will only vary based on where you live and how far you're willing to travel to take in the tourist sites/beaches/etc.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Get your Australia souvenirs- everything else can be ordered from the US for cheaper.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
You're living in one of the most beautiful and safe cities in the world. Enjoy.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Not sure what the exchange rate was when previous reviews were written about Sydney, but we found the prices in Australia to be far more reasonable than what we were expecting. Your decisions will obviously depend on your family size and budget, but make the effort to travel as much as possible.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
I'll go ahead and say "yes."
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Complaints about the difficulty of life in the Foreign Service.
4. But don't forget your:
Ability to enjoy every moment- your posting will go by much faster than you expect.
