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I'm an American who has a real interest in leaving my country one day and I'm actively looking at other cities around the world in hopes I can figure out where I want to move to(some day, I've got to save up first). Unfortunately, I have never left the USA so everything I've learned about other countries is through the internet and books. I have been interested in Sydney for many years because of the culture, beaches, shopping, and cosmopolitan lifestyle. I have a few questions for everyone who lives or has visited the Sydney/NSW area because there are many questions that guidebooks can't answer. Thanks in advance!
1- What's Sydney's winter weather like? I know that the seasons are reversed on the other side of the equator so right now it's winter there but does it get that cold?
2- I know Australia offers their citizens public healthcare but is it good? How exactly does it work?
3- Which neighborhoods are the safest and most affordable? What's the housing like there? I know in Europe you have to buy your own appliances and such, do they do in Australia too?
4- Do you need a car to get everywhere? How good and safe is the public transportation?
5- What do you love and hate most about Sydney?
If there is anything else you'd like to share, please do. Thanks again!
1. You can google that. You can also go Sydney Morning Herald - Business & World News Australia | smh.com.au for current weather
2. If you are a citizen or PR you qualify. There is an existing thread on health care.
3. Id do an advanced search on cd. Several threads already exist.
4. Depends on where you live, just like any major city. Closer to city centre, no, further out.. Yes. Follows is more than you will need for info on syd transport: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/a...ctransport.asp
5. Hmmmm. I prefer Melbourne actually. Again id do an advanced search.
Id check first if you qualify for migration before figuring out what neighborhood. I see you still need to save money. If you dont qualify, no need to research.
I'm an American who has a real interest in leaving my country one day and I'm actively looking at other cities around the world in hopes I can figure out where I want to move to(some day, I've got to save up first). Unfortunately, I have never left the USA so everything I've learned about other countries is through the internet and books. I have been interested in Sydney for many years because of the culture, beaches, shopping, and cosmopolitan lifestyle. I have a few questions for everyone who lives or has visited the Sydney/NSW area because there are many questions that guidebooks can't answer. Thanks in advance!
1- What's Sydney's winter weather like? I know that the seasons are reversed on the other side of the equator so right now it's winter there but does it get that cold?
2- I know Australia offers their citizens public healthcare but is it good? How exactly does it work?
3- Which neighborhoods are the safest and most affordable? What's the housing like there? I know in Europe you have to buy your own appliances and such, do they do in Australia too?
4- Do you need a car to get everywhere? How good and safe is the public transportation?
5- What do you love and hate most about Sydney?
If there is anything else you'd like to share, please do. Thanks again!
1. sydney has a tendency to be humid...upto 90% sometimes. In winter it is not really cold (low-mid teens Celsius), but it does get a lot of heavy downpour intermittently.
2. healthcare is good in oz. We have a medicare system which covers us for doctors and hospital stays. If you have an emergency situation, you will be seen instantly without waiting... if you have a condition that requires treatment, your doctor will decide how serious it is and book you in for surgery...there is a waiting list but if you are more urgent, you get priority. So for example, if you get a sudden case of appendicitis, or tonsillitis, you will be operated on immediately if need be. The goverment only pay the bills...they dont have any say in what doctors you can see or anything like that. But you have to use a government funded hospital which is a 'public' hospital.
3. you can get any kind of accomodation you need. If you want a fully furnished apartment you can get them close to the cities. Or you can rent a house or unit/flat and put your own furniture and appliances in it. Rent in sydney is expensive... 1 or 2 bedroom unit may cost you up to $400 per week. You will need to pay a bond of 1 month in advance. You pay utilities on a monthly basis.
4. Sydney transport is very good and if you are using public transport you dont need a car...its cheaper not to have a car because parking costs a fortune in sydney.
the trains and buses are frequent and safe overall...just dont travel alone at night if you want to be safer.
5. i love the scenery, the trees, the harbor, so much to do, beautiful beaches (but a bit dirty) If you are an outdoors person, sydney is great...the good weather makes outdoor events possible all year round. But i hate the squeeze...its over populated! streets are cramped and accomodation is very expensive.
Do you have to be in Sydney? As much I love it, if I were going to Oz without a specific job, I might opt for Melbourne. It's not really any less expensive but a little less crowded and hectic. Or, for a slightly lower cost of living, maybe Brisbane or Adelaide. (Perth is out of the question as it has gotten way expensive.)
3. you can get any kind of accomodation you need. If you want a fully furnished apartment you can get them close to the cities. Or you can rent a house or unit/flat and put your own furniture and appliances in it. Rent in sydney is expensive... 1 or 2 bedroom unit may cost you up to $400 per week. You will need to pay a bond of 1 month in advance. You pay utilities on a monthly basis.
Less than $400/week for a two bedder? Maybe, but you won't be very close to Sydney!
Less than $400/week for a two bedder? Maybe, but you won't be very close to Sydney!
i just took a peek on realestate.com.au and i cant believe the prices! It was 10years ago when i was living in sydney and the prices were around $300 pw for a small terrace house. They seem to have gone through the roof!
im in melbourne now and the prices down here are very reasonable compared to sydney.
i just took a peek on realestate.com.au and i cant believe the prices! It was 10years ago when i was living in sydney and the prices were around $300 pw for a small terrace house. They seem to have gone through the roof!
im in melbourne now and the prices down here are very reasonable compared to sydney.
The rental market moves differently to the straight out real estate values.
Sydney reached a peak in about 2003-4 and tapered from there, but rental values are dictated by occupancy rates - which are nearly 100% in Sydney.
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