Living in Sydney: Sunshine, sea and spiders

Sydney is regularly voted one of the world’s most liveable cities – no doubt thanks to its glorious weather, beautiful beaches and safe streets. But all of that comes at a cost, as it’s not cheap to live in Australia’s biggest city. If you’re thinking about making the move to Australia, read on to find out what it’s like to live in multicultural Sydney, and decide whether the beaches win out over the bin chickens. 

1. World-class beaches
2. Warm weather
3. A multicultural city
4. Low crime rates
5. Public transport
6. High cost of living
7. Bugs, bats and bin chickens
8. Visas

1. World-class beaches

The beaches are absolutely one of the best things about living in Sydney. From buzzing Bondi to the quieter Wattamolla to stunning Palm Beach, there’s a coastline for every taste. There are plenty of beach walks to enjoy too, including the famous Bondi to Coogee walk.

2. Warm weather

In order to enjoy the city’s beaches, you need good weather. And that’s not a problem in Sydney, where the weather is pleasant for most of the year. It’s warmest during summer (that’s December to March Down Under), while winter is mild, with temperatures around 17 degrees Celsius in the coolest month of July. 

3. A multicultural city

Life in Sydney is truly enriched by how multicultural it is: Almost 50% of people in the City of Sydney were born outside of Australia and over 37% of people speak a language other than English at home. You can eat incredible yum cha in Sydney’s Chinatown, enjoy the Italian architecture in the Inner Suburbs and dive into Vietnamese culture in Cabramatta.

4. Low crime rates

Sydney ranked the fourth-safest city in the world in 2021. It’s generally safe to walk around alone and Sydneysiders tend to be friendly and helpful. The biggest dangers in the city usually come from the sun and the sea, rather than other people. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be vigilant though, especially at night. 

5. Public transport

If you’re coming from most places in the US, the public transport in Sydney will blow your mind. Trains, buses and ferries zip around the city all day long (and well into the night) and fares are relatively affordable.Though, you might get frustrated by the delays and breakdowns that seem to occur far too frequently. 

6. High cost of living

Alright, time to talk about the cost of living in Sydney. Moving to Sydney means you’ll need to make some cash, fast. Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia, with the CBD and eastern suburbs being the most expensive areas. Rent is paid per week, so if you see rent advertised at $500 Australian dollars and think it’s an absolute bargain, think again and times it by four to get the monthly cost. Food will take up a big chunk of your budget and if you like to go out to the pub for a pint of beer, set aside at least $9. According to Yahoo Finance, a single person will need to make over $3,600 per month to live comfortably in Sydney.

7. Bugs, bats and bin chickens

There’s no getting away from it: The wildlife in Sydney is a bit different than in the US and Europe. And we mean there’s literally no getting away from it – some of the wildlife is known to sneak inside apartments to bother or scare residents. There are flying cockroaches, huntsman spiders the size of small children, and a night sky filled with chattering flying foxes (a species of bat). There are also bin chickens (the white ibis), possibly the ugliest creature in Australia, which can often be found fossicking in bins, looking for food. 

8. Visas

Legalizing your stay in Australia is really important. You do not want to come here on a tourist visa and start working illegally. You will almost certainly get caught and sent home, ending your stay in one of the world’s greatest cities a lot sooner than you had hoped. If you’re moving to Sydney, Australia from the USA or Europe and are under 30, you might qualify for a WorkingHoliday Visa. Otherwise, take a look at the skill shortage lists on the government website or apply to study at one of the city’s excellent universities for a chance to experience life in Sydney. 

Do you want to move to Sydney?

Don’t let the bugs scare you off! If you’re thinking about living in Sydney either long– or short-term, you’ll love the temperate weather and golden beaches and feel right at home no matter where you’re from thanks to how multicultural it is. Get your visa in place, pack your favorite bathing suit and come and enjoy Sydney. 

Laura is a freelance writer and was an ESL teacher for eight years. She was born in the UK and has lived in Australia and Poland, where she writes blogs for Lingoda about everything from grammar to dating English speakers. She’s definitely better at the first one. She loves travelling and that’s the other major topic that she writes on. Laura likes pilates and cycling, but when she’s feeling lazy she can be found curled up watching Netflix. She’s currently learning Polish, and her battle with that mystifying language has given her huge empathy for anyone struggling to learn English. Find out more about her work in her portfolio.