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The suburban Sydney area that the other poster think looks like California looks more like the American South to me.
On the other hand the area of Brisbane that you show that you think looks like the American South makes me think of Hawaii rather.
Because the houses in Brisbane ("Queensland Architecture", as they're called) reminded me of those fancy types in Southern US (whatever you call those):
Why are Australian cities so suburban, can you live in Australia without a car?
It's a bit difficult living without a car (as they're very convenient), but you can manage. There are bus stops all around us. I do not drive and don't usually have such difficulties. But with some places, I do not need someone to drive me there, as buses or trains don't reach there. We do suck with public transport.
Those newer housing estate type houses look more like a sleek version of American McMansions. The American ones are usually bigger in size and on bigger plots of land.
Why are Australian cities so suburban, can you live in Australia without a car?
Australian cities follow the same North American model of having a small core downtown and miles and miles of single family houses flowing outwards from it. This has probably to do with the Australian desire to live in a large detached house with a backyard, and seeing other housing options as sub-par.
I will say though that the public transport is decent in the major capital cities. If you live near a rail corridor it is possible to live without a car, although it will be less convenient.
Yep. Looks like something out of England or France. To be fair though, only the inner suburbs have that quaint "Victorian" look. Outside in the suburbs, Sydney will gradually start to look more like Southern California.
How's San Diego? If I ever move to the US, I'd probably live in San Diego.
I know. I was being a little mordant, to show off how 'diverse' Sydney can be architecturally. Because it's not all akin to Southern California, as what people here make it out to be. But yeah, a fair share of Sydney, namely the western suburbs, is more similar to SoCal.
What of our hilly McMansions?
Actually, this picture could easily pass for somewhere in Northern San Diego County including north SD city which extends into North County. I can think of several areas that could pass as including the Eucalyptus trees which we have in abundance as well of course as the palm trees.
Why are Australian cities so suburban, can you live in Australia without a car?
Possibly because the suburds were mostly built after world war 2. Its certranly possible to live in an Australian city without a car, i did so myself for a decade in Brisbane. Though now we have two kids and moved further out, it became far more essential. I still get the bus to work everyday howver.
Actually, this picture could easily pass for somewhere in Northern San Diego County including north SD city which extends into North County. I can think of several areas that could pass as including the Eucalyptus trees which we have in abundance as well of course as the palm trees.
I was watching a San Diego YouTuber, who lives in Poway. And I noticed how much eucalyptus trees the area has. I was rather surprised. Why were they planted there though?
Because the houses in Brisbane ("Queensland Architecture", as they're called) reminded me of those fancy types in Southern US (whatever you call those):
Queensland architecture:
Typical two storey homes in Sydney:
Two storey homes in SoCal:
That Queenslander and that plantation do look a lot alike!
However, that two storey home in "SoCal" is actually in Naples, Florida (I searched it up). Two story homes in SoCal look like this:
I've never been to Australia, but based on the pics, Sydney's master planned suburbs seem more modern/contemporary architecture while SoCal's new homes try to imitate Italian/Spanish architecture, although we have some contemporary tract home architecture, too:
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I was being a little mordant, to show off how 'diverse' Sydney can be architecturally. Because it's not all akin to Southern California, as what people here make it out to be. But yeah, a fair share of Sydney, namely the western suburbs, is more similar to SoCal. 
