beck_wanderer

Hi

I'm flying to Sydney on Sunday - oooooo!!!! Initially just staying for a year but going to see how it goes. Feeling pretty nervous - almost finished the packing. For future reference don't ever decide to move over the Christmas/New Year break - so many parties, everyone wants to say good bye and everything closed - but everything is slowly coming together

I have already spent 2 months in Sydney, so have some feel for the place. Just wondering if anyone got any comments about living in Manly (I know not very original). I really love the idea of living by the beach. Is there a big expat community there? Anyone who is currently in Sydney - how did you find meeting friends?

Well sorry for the bombardment of questions, never used a forum before.

Have a great new year,
Becks

Shaz&Phil

sorry don't know about Sydney. Try a search.
All the best
Phil

JayneS

I say go for it in Manly. The idea of living by a beach appeals to me greatly. I like to think as I'll be making such a huge move I want to go the full wack and live near a beach. Sydney would be my first choice but talk of high house prices puts me off especially where the beaches are.

But if you can then do if for defo!

brian.w

I am going to australia too but not till end of jan also for a year on a working holiday visa like you also Feeling pretty nervous.

NickyC

I've lived in Sydney for many years. Manly is a fine place to live but where will you be working? It's half an hour on the ferry to the city or a much slower road trip. Share accommodation prices are probably pretty average there. Anything with a view or particularly close to the beach will obviously cost more. If you've got a WHV, I guess you won't be interested in buying anything - lucky because Manly real estate is astronomical!

There would be a few British people around the Manly area, same as there are in all suburbs, but it's not an enclave or anything. But why would you come here if you want to live somewhere surrounded by British? Might as well stay home. Strangely, the majority of people living in Manly are Australian.

Best place to find fellow WHV holders are the backpacker hostels, of which there are a few in Manly, and the closest pubs.

brian.w

Only thing i will be buying is a car, would love to settle down there one day lets see if i still like it after my year there as thats the main reason i am going to see if its somewhere i can live.

Been in melbourne well outside it this time last year for 4 weeks and thats the only time i have been there and i wanted to go back and see more.

beck_wanderer

Hi

Thanks Nicky for your answer. I'm actually being sponsored by my company, so have a visa for 4 years. It's all rather scary, so can only think one year at a time. My biggest fear is meeting new people and since I won't be hostel hopping, would like to move in an area where it is easy to socialise.

I have visited Manly, but seeing it as a tourist and actually living there is a different kettle of fish.

I'm hoping most of my work is in the city, so looking forward to catching the ferry everyday

Becks

bondipom

Manly is a nice area but is expensive and the ferry can be disrupted when there is a storm. Manly, Bondi and Coogee are the main beaches where poms live and there are plenty of pubs.

Poms in Sydney are less likely to meet up with each other but I doubt you will have problems finding opportunites to meet people.

My suggestion is to get a set of surf lessons and meet some people there. Then you can keep fit and enjoy the beach.

Good luck as Sydney can be a great place to live.

NickyC

Oops. Sorry! I assumed WHV when you said one year. Non-backpacker requires a different answer!

Manly is nice but if I were you I'd try somewhere a bit more central. The ferry trip is lovely on a nice day but as Bondipom said could be a bit frustrating at times during the winter.

There are thriving apartment-share areas all round the harbour - Neutral Bay and Mosman are good on the north side and on the south side are Elizabeth Bay, Double Bay etc plus the beach-side suburbs.

People are actually very friendly - particularly if they know you're alone - but if you have trouble meeting people thru work (a lot of work places in the city have regular Friday night drinks at the pub), join a gym or a class of some kind. You could try surfing, cooking, wine appreciation (get to know some Aussie wines) or whatever you're interested in. www.esec.nsw.edu.au is a place to start for classes in the Eastern suburbs. I'm sure the Manly/North Shore area would have their own version.

Don't worry - you'll have a great time.