Originally Posted by Tharn

Hello all;

My partner and I have the opportunity to both move to Sydney to take up academic posts there. We have an 18 month old child and both in our mid - thirties.

Question is, should we up-sticks from London and move south?

We do not own a property, only things holding us back might be our family (our parents are getting on), finances (we have some debt, and new positions might not pay the riches we need).

London is a grind and has worn us both down over the last 5 years, and so prospect of warm weather all year round, beaches and out doors life very appealing.

How does sydney compare to London, I have lived in San Francisco before and familiar with the friendly / out going nature of people in that part of the US, would Sydney-ians be similar?

Any way, just pontificating right now in a meandering way, opinions and thoughts welcome/needed in order to help us decide.

cheers

T

Originally Posted by thorn

So...is it feasible to live an hour out of Sydney by train, paying around £1200 per month (pref less) in rent for a decent place?

Thanks again, for all your responses so far, they're been incredibly helpful and honest

Originally Posted by thorn

Hi all,
I am Tharn's partner and have been reading through the replies. You all have been really helpful with your responses, so thanks for that. Personally, I think London is a very grinding city. We pay a huge amount of money for very little space (£1200 per month in GBP), that gives us 2 bedrooms, a patio and we're quite a way out of London. We have a lot of outgoings each month: council tax + all the usual bills... We both travel to our jobs, Tharn travels 2 hours each way some days of the week, I drive 45 mins to work for 8 mile journey. By the time we both get home each night, we are so truly knackered we can hardly muster the strength to pour a glass of wine.
We can't get in and out to Central London with a child on the train, as there are very few elevators (for buggies) so we are used to real hassle.

It's time for a change, and the Sydney opportunity sounds very enticing. But I am also aware that will be huge pitfalls, as with any month abroad.
OUr jobs in Sydney would be located on Broadway, very close to Central Station (it seems, according to Google maps), so we are keen to find suburbs that are well connected to the trainline that gets into the Central station. We are also looking for a bigger home with a better quality of life, and since we are used to commuting to work at the mo, we are willing to spend an hour getting into our jobs each day. So...is it feasible to live an hour out of Sydney by train, paying around £1200 per month (pref less) in rent for a decent place?

Thanks again, for all your responses so far, they're been incredibly helpful and honest

Originally Posted by mecheng

It's a big decision to move to another city in another country with which you may be unfamiliar. From the original post, it does sound like you have had enough and want a change. I've never lived in Sydney so I can't say if it is great or not but from what I do know having lived in a few other cities in Australia, it's likely to be a more laid back lifestyle than London. More wide open spaces and proximity to beaches is a bonus, and would suit a young family. I'm not going to lie and say the weather is great all year round, it's not, but goodness knows it's better than the UK. You and you alone know your circumstances and the decision is by no means an easy one, but if you can do it, why not. Worst case, you go back to the UK after a year or two, and maybe with a bit of a tan.

Originally Posted by NickyC

As far as friendliness goes - I reckon you've got it made if you have a child. Best possible way to meet people - at playgroup, pre-school, kindergarten, schools, sports groups etc. Wouldn't say that it's like Ramsey St but most people are friendly enough - especially if they know you're new to the country.

Originally Posted by Officer Dibble

Sydney is similar to London in the respect that youre going to pay more to live where the action is. I find it hard to believe that anyone would live a cheaper lifestyle in Australia after all the sums are done.

There are lots of people like yourselves in Sydney that are looking for the same lifestyle, so there is a community. You can also have a great life in cities, working and travelling without all the cost if youre willing to live by the same wits that you did in London..... if you did.

Originally Posted by thorn

Hi all,
We have a lot of outgoings each month: council tax + all the usual bills... We both travel to our jobs, Tharn travels 2 hours each way some days of the week, I drive 45 mins to work for 8 mile journey. By the time we both get home each night, we are so truly knackered we can hardly muster the strength to pour a glass of wine.
We can't get in and out to Central London with a child on the train, as there are very few elevators (for buggies) so we are used to real hassle.

Originally Posted by thorn

.OUr jobs in Sydney would be located on Broadway, very close to Central Station (it seems, according to Google maps), so we are keen to find suburbs that are well connected to the trainline that gets into the Central station.

Originally Posted by Seasider

Thick coat AND warm jumper. And vest/singlet, and jeans, and boots, and scarf, and gloves...for a few weeks, anyway. (And that's only INSIDE my office.)

Originally Posted by Seasider

I wouldn't inflict that on the world, ponyrama.

(I moved here last year after 6 years in sweaty Singapore - still acclimatising.)