spouse of scouse

I loved New York! Every single person we encountered was so friendly, and genuinely interested in asking about us and whether we were enjoying ourselves. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

LouisB

+1 NYC is about the people, probably why it attracts so many interesting folk...

LouisB

Guns are an issue yes. I wasn’t doing a complete breakdown of the country item by item, that doesn’t make it dishonest though.

NYC itself does seem pretty safe, as does most of it to be honest.

I just wanted to point out the USA is epic for ‘countryside’ too.

For example, 1hr from NYC you can hit the Appelacian trail. How cool is that. Part of having an interior that is highly interesting and beatiful, it’s not 95% dry desert dust bowl.

New Jersey next door is the Garden state, mostly green open space with big houses.

Canada is within a short drive too. It is well connected, for example with Europe.

LouisB

Tainted for being white? Really not the wider problem I was thinking of.

Dudeguy

They are both fun places. It all depends on what you enjoy. If you like easy access to quality beaches, scuba diving and national parks then Sydney is much better. Sydney is also safer and with a much better environment.

If you want hustle and bustle New York has a lot of that. A real lot of that. Your accent will get you a lot of quality “attention” with the locals too.

Both Australians and Americans are friendly.

On racism, regional Australia and regional US can both be appalling. I’ve seen and heard disgraceful things in both countries.

the troubadour

There is less racism than existed in the past for sure, but that's coming from a very high bar. One factor that prohibits a lot is what some call PC. It is really not tolerated in most work places, but while diminished it is certainly out there. Saying that some people of colour appear to be targeted more than others, whom claim none at all. Discussing this with an Aussie friend, a few months ago, he still thinks there is plenty, living in a rather diverse multi cultural suburb, where as where I live in inner city there is none that I have witnessed. At least in recent dozen years. Never experienced it being expressed by others within the work force, but my area would more likely not have been a place racists would have felt particularly confident to express their abhorrent views.


But saying that one colleague's partner of Sri Lankan background, without fluent English, experienced 'heavy' racism when working at a meat works, south of Perth.


Hence wrong to say it isn't there and probably dangerous to think it has gone away for ever. It would not take too much in the present climate for a party to make an election issue. In that case giving a degree of fertilisation, some may be very surprised at both whom along with the number that come out of the woodwork.

the troubadour

I'd say New Yorkers far more open than Sydney siders whom can be a little drawn in comparison.

the pea

Thank you for the above responses. I broke my leg so everything was put on hold for a while. Three months later I am still undecided but I think I have realised in that time what matters to me the most is people and I think that will ultimately make wherever I choose enjoyable.

So as one last question please could anyone provide me with insight as to how difficult / easy it was to make a social circle in Sydney? I wouldn’t say I am extroverted but at the same time I’m not introverted. I like to socialise and go for drinks but definitely not loud and a hard core party goer.

Apologies I realise I have really strung out this decision (I’m scared of regretting my choice!!!) but will make one even if it ends up being a coin toss! Thank you for your patience. X

Beoz

Very simple. Just head to Bondi or Manly, grab a flat share with some like minded newcomers. That's the start of your social circle. Getting a job with a good social crowd helps too.

LouisB

Found an interesting fact. NYC metro area GDP is about that of all of Australia.

Thought I’d share that, not sure why haha.

I suspect most people know if they are US/NYC people or gravitating to Aus. There’s always something going on in the NYC area, a hub of culture, entertainment and creativity. A real melting pot. But I’m sure it’s not for everyone. However I can see if it gets you, you may never want to leave. Many New Yorkers never do. Not because they can’t or are lazy or narrow minded.

But ultimately got to go wherever makes you happy. Probably one way to find out for sure, try it