Sydney, Australia Report of what it's like to live there - 05/31/23
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, expat since 2011. Several cities in Western Europe, East Asia, and Latin America.
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?
Washington DC. About 24 hours. Travel to/from Australia is long, expensive and can exceed 24 hours depending on connections (unless your final destination is California).
3. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
4. What years did you live here?
2020-2023.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is found by the consulate and varies depending on availability and closeness to the US consulate. The real estate market in Sydney is hyper-competitive and expensive. The consulate does a good job of identifying homes and apartments that meet requirements and are well-equipped with modern amenities. Housing in Sydney is surprisingly old and/or not well built, considering it's a modern metropolis in a wealthy country. Mold, pests and run-down fixtures or appliances are fairly common place. And handymen (AKA 'tradies') charge the consulate an arm and a leg to even assess a problem, let alone fix it.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Though expensive, you can find virtually anything in Sydney that you could desire. Certain cultural differences exist, of course. For example, Australians don't use dryer sheets or Pepto Bismol so those are nearly impossible to find.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Pepto Bismol, graham crackers, hot sauce, a few other very minor 'creature comforts' that are so easy to live without that I forget what they are until a craving strikes...
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The wealth of dining options in Sydney does not disappoint, from upscale fine dining to comfort food. Asian food options abound, but it's very hard to find even halfway decent Mexican, Tex-Mex, or Latin food. Uber Eats and similar delivery options exist, but are as overpriced as in the U.S.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Lots of roaches roam the streets, and even in the most well-maintained modern buildings or houses, roaches get inside sometimes. If that's all you have to contend with, you're lucky. Apparently someone in the Mission had a problem with leeches in their home. But don't worry, the stories of deadly insects/snakes/creepy crawlies are overblown. They are not at all common in the city. Even the deadly Sydney funnel web spider is a rare sighting (and more common in suburbs surrounded by lots of nature).
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO or Australia Post. Australia Post is as reliable and quick as USPS, and the customer service experience at any given post office is equally hit or miss.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
I didn't employ or even look into getting household help. I'm sure it's very expensive compared to other countries with lower average wages.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Lots of gyms, many right around the consulate building. Most have good equipment and are reasonably priced. Many other fitness options like CrossFit, martial arts, running, etc. Folks who join local team sports clubs have a great time and make Australian friends.
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?
Yes. In fact, contactless payment is the only option in many places. It's a good idea to carry just a bit of cash, but you will only have to use it once a month or less.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Not sure what's available exactly but there are many churches around, and I'm certain you could find temples, synagogues and other places of worship very easily.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Australian accents can sometimes be hard to understand in rural areas, and some vocabulary is different, but there is no real language barrier. It's quite amusing to see some Americans embrace Australian English so deeply that they start saying 'lift' instead of 'elevator' and correct other Americans' pronunciation of places like Melbourne: pronounce it like "Mel-bin" unless you don't mind being constantly corrected for using the hard 'R' typical of American English.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Sydney appears to be a relatively accessible city when compared to major US cities.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Super safe and clean. Buses are less reliable, but the metro and trains run like clockwork. The worst problems you face with public transportation is that sometimes schedule changes aren't well-communicated in advance, and many places in Sydney are far from a metro stop, forcing you to take a train to a bus. Public transport is not as cheap as some US cities, but still affordable. Ubers and taxis abound, though the quality of driving is a bit iffy. Calling an Uber isn't always reliable. Most people who live here own a car, which makes getting around and getting out of the city infinitely more convenient. Sydney is NOT as bike-friendly as it would appear. Motorists aren't always super considerate of pedestrians or bikers, and I've seen some close calls.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
You'll need a vehicle with a steering wheel on the right side of the car, obviously. Most people buy one here. Beyond that, pretty much any vehicle would do. I haven't noticed many electric vehicle charging stations though.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, though the speeds aren't what you'd expect of a major metropolis in a wealthy country. Installation is about as inconvenient as a typical U.S. internet provider would be.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
No, I use a local carrier. I have a cheap plan and the signal isn't great all the time, but it does the trick.
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?
Excellent veterinary and pet care options. Quarantine and preparation before arrival into the country is the major hurdle here. You need to take your pet to regular vet appointments (in the US, not sure if they'd accept vets from all foreign countries) for six months before arrival, give them a whole host of shots and tests, then pay for them to be quarantined for anywhere from a week to a month, if I remember correctly. Expensive and traumatizing for many animals.
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?
Not sure. Local pay is on par with major U.S. cities.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Many volunteer opportunities, thought I'm not sure of the details. Many EFMs do volunteer work and build community that way.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual at work, except for more formal meetings. Formal dress is required for special events. Casual dress codes seem a bit different than in US cities, especially for men. It made me realize how men in the US rarely wear shorts that go above the knee.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Very safe, but still a city. I don't know anyone personally who's been the victim of a crime, but petty crime still exists.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Excellent medical care, and affordable too.
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 air quality.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
There is an allergy season here, but I found it less severe than Washington, DC. Many places are sensitive to food allergies, you would just need to seek them out.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Sydney can be a very lonely post. The workplace and the city itself is not very warm and inviting. As an example, apparently it's culturally acceptable here to just ignore someone when they say good morning/hello (I'm not talking about an isolated incident, this is a common practice). Most people leave without any Australian friends. Definitely a post better suited to families who want to do their own thing.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
In the past couple years Sydney has been unusually rainy, and it can get very windy. But otherwise the weather is pretty much perfect. Rarely too hot, rarely too cold. Eternal spring.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
If an expatriate community exists, I haven't heard of it. This could be an after effect of COVID and the severe lockdowns, but Sydney is not a city where one goes to find community.
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?
For those seeking community, #1 don't come to Sydney. Sydney was voted the third worst city in the world to make friends by TimeOut magazine. And #2, if you do come to Sydney, join a team sports league or volunteer organization. The only people I know who made *real* Australian friends, and not just acquaintances, were people who played team sports. There are plenty of social activities, but Sydneysiders do not have a culture of befriending new people. Everyone in Sydney was born here, or has lived here for a decade or more. They all have well-established social circles and no incentive to expand them. They are perfectly nice and friendly people, just not interested in getting to know you more or spend more time with you than necessary.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Not really, in my opinion. Everyone at the consulate treats the workplace like just another office job, and there appears to be very little interest in building a community. Sydneysiders do not typically befriend new people, and are not hugely interested in Americans or American culture (they are well-exposed and it's not novel). The dating apps work and I know of two singles who found Australian partners, so I suppose it's possible. But I personally have found no *real* friends, no community, and no romantic partners. And just to add insult to injury, I once made the mistake of lamenting to a local about my woes as a single person and their response was "Sounds like a you problem, mate!"
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
I'll say it again, Sydney was voted the third worst city in the world to make friends by TimeOut magazine, and that's reflective of my and many other Americans' experience here. Additionally, people of color might feel isolated especially if they are Black or indigenous. There are very few BIPOC in Sydney.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes, in terms of safety and the ability to live openly. It's about as safe for LGBTQIA+ folks as a major U.S. city. However, the gay community in Sydney is notoriously cliquey. Very much like that of Washington D.C., but smaller and more exclusive. There is also far less variety in the gay community in Sydney compared to that of Melbourne, for example. But there are plenty of cis gay men (mostly white) with similar tastes in music, clothes and activities (drinking, partying, promiscuity, etc.).
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Sadly, the majority of indigenous Australians I saw in Sydney were homeless. Indigenous Australian populations are more prevalent in other cities or states, but not Sydney. There is a strong population of Asian (East and South), but very few Latinos and even fewer Black people. In that way, it did not always feel like a diverse city to me. With that said, I never witnessed overt racism, and only experienced minor things myself, like being mistaken for another person of the same race/ethnicity on a few occasions.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Sydney is picture-perfect when the weather is good. Just walking around the city is like living in a dream. The day trips were also excellent (despite the horrifying Hunstman spider sightings), and I loved visiting Melbourne (the BEST Australian city in my opinion), Perth and even Canberra. There is so much to see and do if you have the time and money.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The Bondi to Coogee walk is popular for a reason, and the beachside pools you can swim in are something special.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not particularly, unless you enjoy Aboriginal art. If so, keep an eye out for imitations made overseas versus authentic pieces made by Aboriginal artists.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Everything is easy! There are some inconveniences (like how difficult it is to deal with handymen, AKA 'tradies') but nothing beyond a typical US city.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I had known better strategies for building community/making friends. Team sports and volunteer work appear to be the most reliable avenues.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No. One of the draws of being an expat for me is engaging with locals, building community, learning a different language, learning different cultural customs from people, etc. None of that is really possible when the locals aren't "keen" on making new friends.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Appliances and devices with a US plug.
4. But don't forget your:
family and friends.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Kath and Kim!!! It's less about "learning" and more about not missing out on this truly hilarious series. Comedy gold.
6. Do you have any other comments?
I just recently heard from a senior Foreign Service Officer that in the past, Sydney held the #1 spot for highest curtailment rate in all of the Foreign Service for a while.
