Hello,
We are moving to Sydney this mid-September for my husband's work. We plan to be there for 4 years (touch wood). Would you give me your best tip re Sydney? Whether it's about moving, living, making friends or anything else is welcomed. Thank you very much!!

Hi there, well you have got over the biggest hurdle which is work, everything else should be easier from here.

I guess the biggest tip which is often pointed out on this forum is to begin life in an area you are able to continue to live in, as you will make friends there, have favourite shops, restaurants etc and it will be more settling if you stay in the same area. That would I guess apply to Sydney as much as any other city.

Enjoy!

BB

Be realistic about what you can afford to rent (if you're planning to rent!). Sydney is an expensive city. We live in the inner west and you won't find a decent 2 bed place for much less than $650 per week here - the IW, I mean. Pick your suburb search area carefully and be realistic about what your $ will get you. And expect some competition for rentals. The whole rental process can be a lot easier if you collate all the information you need (and have multiple copies of it) before hitting the market.

Keep an open mind!

Remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel, four years away maybe, but at least its there (and thats a realistic view, not a negative one )

Walk on the left!! And keep to the left when going up escalators.
It took me a few days to figure out why I kept getting in everyones way on the street! (In high school we were always told to walk on the right!)

And I agree with Buzzy-Bee about being able to stay in the same suburb. For me I like to be settled and recognise faces, even if it is just the woman in your local corner shop. It kind of helps with the homesickness, for me at least, just to know I'm a 'regular' somewhere. (That the cute guy at Starbucks remebers my name and my 'sugar-free vanilla skimmed caramel macchiato' is just a bonus!)

Ordering coffee here can be so complicated can't it! My elderly father gets very stumped when he just wants to order "a coffee".

BB

Keep your expectations low - then you'll never be disappointed.

mmmm... half empty / half full....

BB

Never turn down an invitation. Even if you think something isn't going to be your cup of tea you need to put yourself out there and really make an effort.

Don't get Foxtel - money better spent elsewhere.

Get naked broadband and use VOIP, way cheaper than other packages.

If you can afford to, travel around before you settle.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the advice on this thread has no basis more reliable than the poster's own meandering experience...

Make sure your husbands firm will pay to ship your stuff back home!

Watch out for school zones when driving it the morning/afternoon.

Watch out for pedestrians when turning at traffic lights/pedestrian crossings (nearly splatted someone in my first week here )

Wear a hat

Wear sunscreen

Try to quickly get over comparing the UK to Aus. Everyone does it, but the quicker you get on with life in Aus the more you will enjoy it.

Have a ball, 4 years will go before you know it and you will have some great stories to tell

One word......adapt. If you can do that, you'll be fine.

Watch yourself when driving, they are nutters over here.

Food is expensive, petrol relatively cheap.

Disagree with coolshadows, get Foxtel. TV here is crap so if you can broaden your options then go for it.

Secondhand cars retain their value so you may think you're paying over the odds for one but it will keep it's value longer than in the UK.

Lastly, try not to compare and do the money exchange in your head. I've been here a few years now and i still find myself doing it occasionally!!