Questions on Sydney?
 

ok. We guys are planning to move to Sydney (work in IT) so looking at places to Rent.

I looked at the map of Sydney..OMG so many suburbs!!! We started looking at locations (different websites) and were pretty lost on which area should we focus.

We are a Husband-Wife team. No kids at this time. I think I will have to move and then search for a job. So hopefully get one in about 3 months time.


We want an area that is safe yet not that expensive.

Is it normal for people to live outside Sydney and then commute to work?

Do they prefer using trains? or Cars? I heard gas/petrol is expensive.

We are pretty open to working in SuperMarkets(WoolWorths??) to tide our expenses? Are these jobs easy to get? Especially if we are just been there a few weeks. We both have no communication issues.

Thanks everybody!! As always your inputs are very useful.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

I remember looking at google maps last year and feeling just as lost. Initially, I was in a serviced apartment in the city centre for the first 2 weeks. That gave me a chance to look around and see what areas I liked. Headed for Maroubra but found that a bit too far out. Now living in Crows Nest. Very nice area and quite close to the CBD. Rent is dear in Sydney and you have to move a good bit out to get cheap rent, unless you want to live in a dump.

Public transport over here is quite good. Its not London but its not Dublin either. From where I live, it takes me about 15 minutes to get into town on the bus in the morning. Cant beat that. Trains are quite regular and plenty of stations.

I had a hard time getting work in my field when I first got here and thought about doing the Woolies or Coles thing for a while. That seemed to be just as hard to get as they really wanted people who wouldn't leave as soon as a job in their profession became available. Not saying you cant get this stuff but it can be hard.

Best of luck with your move and be sure to call into the Sydney CBD meetups which happen every Thursday.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Yes Oz is all about suburbs - it is the first thing everyone asks you - which suburb are you living in.

The main rule in Sydney is not to move out west as things get cheap but very dull and drab. You have the choice of South or North Sydney - North being conservative in reputation and south more funky. There is a great site called DOMAIN that you can look at and join for flats and houses. We lived in Balmain which is near the city but resonable and very nice.

Please get in touch for other tips - I have now become an expert re moving to Sydney!

ICD x

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Y'all are just awesome!! These type of inputs will never come from a website about a city.

So what will be average rent in a nice "Suburb"? Is it hard to get a 1000 dollars 2 Bedroom place?

Any possible suburbs name will be helpful.

PS: We are moving from the US (Charlotte, NC)

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Rent is set weekly over here and you'd probably pay on a fortnightly basis. You'd be paying approximately 600 a week for a 2 bed place in a 'nice' suburb. Yep, very pricey. But, you'll probably be a stones throw away from a world class beach so probably worth it.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Sydney is fairly quiet for jobs on the IT front. It has been hit the hardest by the financial crisis. Forget about working in Coles or Woolies. Unless you are unqualified or 16 years old they won't entertain you. It's quite different in that respect than the UK. Jobs to tide you over can have a negative impact on your CV and your career.

Melbourne is better for IT jobs and certainly the Melbourne economy is faring much better than Sydneys. It's a better place anyway!

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Interesting..Here in the US..it is OK to have worked in different places. After all everything is a learning experience...but do you need to disclose it on your CV??

Wow..really Sydney is hit??I thot Sydney was better for IT jobs than Melbourne.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Rent is paid per capita month. So weekly rent multiplied by 4.333.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

No, Sydney's main industry is banking and financial services and we are currently going through a global financial crisis. Says it all really. Melbourne actually has more industry, better growth over the last 10 or so years and better job prospects.

Everything you here about Sydney is because is is the number 1 tourist destination in Aus. To live there is another story. Melbourne beats Sydney every year on the livability, standard of living and best cities stakes. There is also much more to do in Melb. It isn't by accident that Melbourne secures all the major sporting events. It's also got a far better music, entertainment and arts scene, not to mention the best coffee/cafe/bar culture in Australia. Sydney has been trying to replicate it for years without success.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Thats how its calculated but its advertised as weekly and often paid fortnightly.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Since when is it ever paid fortnightly? I've never heard of rent being paid fortnightly and i've lived in Aust for 20 years. I know loads of people that rent and pay monthly. Real estate agents always get rent paid monthly. Most people get paid their salary monthly as well.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

What are you losing the rag about? And I notice you're in Melbourne......

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

Why would I lose my rag over something inconsequential? Methinks you are reading too much into things.

Just because i'm in Melbourne doesn't mean I haven't lived in Sydney.

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

You tell me. Anyway..

Re: Questions on Sydney?
 

They are all wrong - rent is paid weekly in our house.