JonnoA Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Hi all, Been here a week now and thought I'd give my 2 cents on my thoughts of the place... 1st day, managed to sort out a bank account with Commonwealth, Credit Card with a very generous limit despite no credit history in Oz, Tax file number, which arrived in 5 days, mobile phone, accommodation. Everything is very efficient here from an admin perspective and was so easy to get done. the food...wow! I used to eat in some of the best places in London, and I haven't had the chance to visit Sydney's "finest" as I can't afford it yet, but pub food here is 1,000% better than British pub food, Beef is all fresh and beautifully prepared / cooked, seafood is so fresh. Then there's the variety...Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Australian, Thai...all within 100 metres of each other and all fresh and delicious! Only food I haven't liked is the Yo Sushi style places with the moving plates. Price, around $50 gets you a great meal (equivalent really of £20 in UK, which would not get you the same standard on average - there are exceptions of course!) but a good meal is around $30. Saving money, you can find $10 steaks and I've even seen places that offer $5 steaks! Not bad either! Drinks are expensive - average around $8 - $10 for a schooner (3/4 of a pint), but happy hours reduce this to $5. Some places I've found pints for $5 and schooners for $3! Travelling is fairly cheap, and travelling internally to Melbourne and Brisbane looks like easy jet prices! only negative I can find is the housing market - it's a huge sellers / renters market, meaning you need to be prepared to part with around $4,000 to initially get a place and $500 a week thereafter (again there are exceptions). There is also a serious lack of affordable short term accommodation if you needed time to settle in and earn money. I'm staying in the Meriton, which is $1,500 a week and only places I've found cheaper are hostels! But all in all what a place...truly breathtaking, friendly people, great food and are ally growing culture...would highly recommend! one thing though...be prepared to overhear some extreme view in bars and pubs...just the way it is here, not a huge culture of "PC". Not saying you're going to encounter a huge number of anti Semites of bigots, but there are some strong opinions expressed regularly! Anyway, that's my 2 cents Jonno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Glad you're enjoying it! I agree with you on most things apart from food quality - I don't find it expensive but I do find it only "All right" - not brilliant and certainly not the streets ahead of London for either value or quality that you do. The variety of cuisines is great For $500 a week I guess you're looking for flats, fairly central? Seems about right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Thanks for the update,, Sounds like you hit the ground running,lol and have settled in well, i haven't visited Sydney but see a lot of what you report here in Brisbane too. Cal x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnoA Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 Glad you're enjoying it! I agree with you on most things apart from food quality - I don't find it expensive but I do find it only "All right" - not brilliant and certainly not the streets ahead of London for either value or quality that you do. The variety of cuisines is great For $500 a week I guess you're looking for flats, fairly central? Seems about right Fair enough...I meant to say that the finest stuff in London is in a league of its own, but I haven't tried the "finest" in Sydney so can't compare it...maybe I've just been lucky in where I've eaten? Yep, staying central-ish, but may look at Surry Hills too - seems close enough to walk to CBD and a lot of good bars etc on Crown Street and there abouts. one thing I forgot to mention was customer service - kind of lacking in most places even compared to the UK...lots of standing around chatting when you're waiting - both in restaurants / bars and shops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluewaterz Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Used to live in Sydney (moving back in sept) My view is like yours...Quality of food is miles ahead of the UK especially when it comes to meat (lamb and beef in particular) and fish. To get a decent meal in the uk you need to spend over average ....saying that I live in Newcastle and before that in Brighton...so maybe elsewhere its different Fair enough...I meant to say that the finest stuff in London is in a league of its own, but I haven't tried the "finest" in Sydney so can't compare it...maybe I've just been lucky in where I've eaten? Yep, staying central-ish, but may look at Surry Hills too - seems close enough to walk to CBD and a lot of good bars etc on Crown Street and there abouts. one thing I forgot to mention was customer service - kind of lacking in most places even compared to the UK...lots of standing around chatting when you're waiting - both in restaurants / bars and shops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 You seem to be settling in well, even after a week. I'd like to know which pubs you hear those extreme views though. That's not been my experience living in Surry Hills where I am used to socialising with gay friends, Asian friends, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnoA Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 You seem to be settling in well, even after a week. I'd like to know which pubs you hear those extreme views though. That's not been my experience living in Surry Hills where I am used to socialising with gay friends, Asian friends, etc. So far, Cheers, The Morrisson, Marble Bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 I had to Google 'The Morrison.' All I could think of was the bloody supermarket in England. Marble Bar? Were they actual 'Aussies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACDONALDO67 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Nice, Fair non biased report. Glad you are enjoying it. We are there in December/January and Northshore has already given me some pointers at The Rocks. Just need to time it nicely for "Happy Hour" or won't be happy. :biglaugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I had to Google 'The Morrison.' All I could think of was the bloody supermarket in England. Marble Bar? Were they actual 'Aussies! The Morrison is the Brooklyn Hotel, as was I think Looks OK actually, albeit I've only walked past and looked in, I was expecting a much more ersatz makeover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 The Morrison is the Brooklyn Hotel, as was I think Looks OK actually, albeit I've only walked past and looked in, I was expecting a much more ersatz makeover Oh The Brooklyn! I used to go there with my brothers circa 1980 when it was one if our hangouts. I was in The Rocks on Sat night too after a meal in The Spanish Club. Went to The Fortune of War & Observer & considered The Mercantile before finishing at Strawberry Hills. Talking of which remember Quiz Night tomorrow at 7 30. I was bottom last week so the only way is Up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robscotthair Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Hi all,Been here a week now and thought I'd give my 2 cents on my thoughts of the place... 1st day, managed to sort out a bank account with Commonwealth, Credit Card with a very generous limit despite no credit history in Oz, Tax file number, which arrived in 5 days, mobile phone, accommodation. Everything is very efficient here from an admin perspective and was so easy to get done. the food...wow! I used to eat in some of the best places in London, and I haven't had the chance to visit Sydney's "finest" as I can't afford it yet, but pub food here is 1,000% better than British pub food, Beef is all fresh and beautifully prepared / cooked, seafood is so fresh. Then there's the variety...Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Australian, Thai...all within 100 metres of each other and all fresh and delicious! Only food I haven't liked is the Yo Sushi style places with the moving plates. Price, around $50 gets you a great meal (equivalent really of £20 in UK, which would not get you the same standard on average - there are exceptions of course!) but a good meal is around $30. Saving money, you can find $10 steaks and I've even seen places that offer $5 steaks! Not bad either! Drinks are expensive - average around $8 - $10 for a schooner (3/4 of a pint), but happy hours reduce this to $5. Some places I've found pints for $5 and schooners for $3! Travelling is fairly cheap, and travelling internally to Melbourne and Brisbane looks like easy jet prices! only negative I can find is the housing market - it's a huge sellers / renters market, meaning you need to be prepared to part with around $4,000 to initially get a place and $500 a week thereafter (again there are exceptions). There is also a serious lack of affordable short term accommodation if you needed time to settle in and earn money. I'm staying in the Meriton, which is $1,500 a week and only places I've found cheaper are hostels! But all in all what a place...truly breathtaking, friendly people, great food and are ally growing culture...would highly recommend! one thing though...be prepared to overhear some extreme view in bars and pubs...just the way it is here, not a huge culture of "PC". Not saying you're going to encounter a huge number of anti Semites of bigots, but there are some strong opinions expressed regularly! Anyway, that's my 2 cents Jonno alright buddy, we landed here on the 14th March from the UK. We are also staying in a Meriton, we are in the one in Zetland. Which one are you in? you have been busy.. I agree with everything you say, loving it so much apart from the rental market... It is MAD! the agents never call you back and if you get through they are so not interested in helping. I spoke to about 30 people and was getting really stressed at how lazy they were. I eventually got hold of a few properties to view and they were rotten and all done by an open house kind of thing so you were there viewing with other potential renters! We were looking at properties 4 bed's with a pool in the reigon of 800-900 per week. We did manage to find somewhere in Carlingford which is about 30 mins from CBD on the toll roads, got a gorgeous 4 bed massive place with the brit loving POOL LOL..... even bartered with the weekly rent, so hang in there and eventually you will find somewhere! we are going to go and apply for medicare tomorrow and try and find a car as our hire car runs out on saturday. if you fancy a beer one night then give us a shout, we are a couple, im 30 and my partner Christian is 36. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week dude! Regards Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Glad you're enjoying it! I agree with you on most things apart from food quality - I don't find it expensive but I do find it only "All right" - not brilliant and certainly not the streets ahead of London for either value or quality that you do. The variety of cuisines is great Ditto, I find the quality in UK and especially in London much better than in Sydney. I think "pub food" here is very ordinary (chicken parmigiana anyone) and I find Sydney fine dining to be way, way, waaay, behind London. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilc85 Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Hello, I just thought I'd add a lil something - I couldn't agree with you more about the food. But then we were living up in Newcastle and didn't go out for meals very often so it is a bit of mean comparison! We've found the asian food in particular fabulous - who knew there was so much variety out here! I think it's fair about the prices too, when we first arrived we kept converting back into pounds before going "oooouch"! Getting more used to it now though and it's not too bad really. The housing market is horrible - I've found estate agents attitudes even worse! They're used to having all of us running in begging for apartments and now have developed this snooty attitude. Again, sweeping generalisation I know but that's been our experience so far. We ended up downloading the apps onto our phones and had our thumbs glued to the refresh button all day and then when you see something you like, ring, ring straight away and show them you're interested. I think it may have been Rupert who suggested on here a while back to turn up to your viewings with a folder with everything in it, all your references, bank statements, mothers maiden name, haha, the lot, and we did and it made a massive difference! (thanks for the tip!) As a heads up; it also depends how long you're going to stay out here, we're probably only going to stay out here till next August -it was never going to be permanent, and even then, it's turned out a LOT cheaper for us to get an unfurnished flat and furnish it, then pay for someone else to have furnished it for us.. Anyhoo, that's my penny worth of thought! Best of luck with the settling in, sounds like you're all sorted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluewaterz Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Hello, I just thought I'd add a lil something - I couldn't agree with you more about the food. But then we were living up in Newcastle and didn't go out for meals very often so it is a bit of mean comparison! We've found the asian food in particular fabulous - who knew there was so much variety out here! I think it's fair about the prices too, when we first arrived we kept converting back into pounds before going "oooouch"! Getting more used to it now though and it's not too bad really. The housing market is horrible - I've found estate agents attitudes even worse! They're used to having all of us running in begging for apartments and now have developed this snooty attitude. Again, sweeping generalisation I know but that's been our experience so far. We ended up downloading the apps onto our phones and had our thumbs glued to the refresh button all day and then when you see something you like, ring, ring straight away and show them you're interested. I think it may have been Rupert who suggested on here a while back to turn up to your viewings with a folder with everything in it, all your references, bank statements, mothers maiden name, haha, the lot, and we did and it made a massive difference! (thanks for the tip!) As a heads up; it also depends how long you're going to stay out here, we're probably only going to stay out here till next August -it was never going to be permanent, and even then, it's turned out a LOT cheaper for us to get an unfurnished flat and furnish it, then pay for someone else to have furnished it for us.. Anyhoo, that's my penny worth of thought! Best of luck with the settling in, sounds like you're all sorted! Im in Newcastle as well...food here is pretty plain and average...Its probably not the same elsewhere in the uk cause people have been disagreeing with me when I said I prefer food in Aus I gotta say the bars and clubs here are just as bad as the restaurants haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Heya, This is all sounding very similar to what im expecting, me and moh arrive friday night. We are sick of no socialising, crappy restaurants (3 good ones near us, well 45 min taxi away) and the cruddy british summer. Im a bit aprehensive about the housing market, my wifes sponsor is putting us up in Milson point for a month while we house hunt but im wondering if thats going to be long enough??? We check on Domain most evenings and torment our selves with the apartments we know will be long since gone when we arrive but i thought we would be fine... Theres allways at least 5 new ones every day in the areas we are looking at??? surely securing one cant be that horrific???? we are initially in the $500-$600pw bracket and looking manly or cbd itself. By the sounds of it im going to need to be in work pretty sharpish and up our budget just to land one of the places we see as being well in budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Hi all,Been here a week now and thought I'd give my 2 cents on my thoughts of the place... 1st day, managed to sort out a bank account with Commonwealth, Credit Card with a very generous limit despite no credit history in Oz, Tax file number, which arrived in 5 days, mobile phone, accommodation. Everything is very efficient here from an admin perspective and was so easy to get done. the food...wow! I used to eat in some of the best places in London, and I haven't had the chance to visit Sydney's "finest" as I can't afford it yet, but pub food here is 1,000% better than British pub food, Beef is all fresh and beautifully prepared / cooked, seafood is so fresh. Then there's the variety...Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Australian, Thai...all within 100 metres of each other and all fresh and delicious! Only food I haven't liked is the Yo Sushi style places with the moving plates. Price, around $50 gets you a great meal (equivalent really of £20 in UK, which would not get you the same standard on average - there are exceptions of course!) but a good meal is around $30. Saving money, you can find $10 steaks and I've even seen places that offer $5 steaks! Not bad either! Drinks are expensive - average around $8 - $10 for a schooner (3/4 of a pint), but happy hours reduce this to $5. Some places I've found pints for $5 and schooners for $3! Travelling is fairly cheap, and travelling internally to Melbourne and Brisbane looks like easy jet prices! only negative I can find is the housing market - it's a huge sellers / renters market, meaning you need to be prepared to part with around $4,000 to initially get a place and $500 a week thereafter (again there are exceptions). There is also a serious lack of affordable short term accommodation if you needed time to settle in and earn money. I'm staying in the Meriton, which is $1,500 a week and only places I've found cheaper are hostels! But all in all what a place...truly breathtaking, friendly people, great food and are ally growing culture...would highly recommend! one thing though...be prepared to overhear some extreme view in bars and pubs...just the way it is here, not a huge culture of "PC". Not saying you're going to encounter a huge number of anti Semites of bigots, but there are some strong opinions expressed regularly! Anyway, that's my 2 cents Jonno Welcome to Sydney. Enjoy the honeymoon phase. Great time of the year to arrive too :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 I had to Google 'The Morrison.' All I could think of was the bloody supermarket in England. Marble Bar? Were they actual 'Aussies! marble bar, is part of or under the Hilton in the city near town hall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Welcome to Sydney. Enjoy the honeymoon phase. Great time of the year to arrive too :-) Honeymoon phase? I have put in 25 years and is Is better every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 marble bar, is part of or under the Hilton in the city near town hall. I used to go there in the 80's but I dont like thr city now - too many "tourists" from the 'burbs.I stay in Surry Hills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluewaterz Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Heya,This is all sounding very similar to what im expecting, me and moh arrive friday night. We are sick of no socialising, crappy restaurants (3 good ones near us, well 45 min taxi away) and the cruddy british summer. Im a bit aprehensive about the housing market, my wifes sponsor is putting us up in Milson point for a month while we house hunt but im wondering if thats going to be long enough??? We check on Domain most evenings and torment our selves with the apartments we know will be long since gone when we arrive but i thought we would be fine... Theres allways at least 5 new ones every day in the areas we are looking at??? surely securing one cant be that horrific???? we are initially in the $500-$600pw bracket and looking manly or cbd itself. By the sounds of it im going to need to be in work pretty sharpish and up our budget just to land one of the places we see as being well in budget. Hey! I grew up In Manly 10 mins walking from Clontarf Beach! I am sure you will love it there. Nice and peaceful with really nice big houses and good schools. In sept when we return we will be living in Concord, this house got secured within the first month of my family moving there. I think you will not have a problem finding somewhere to stay, I think the main waiting problems are with medium areas of sydney with low prices...those litings usually disapear within minutes. I dont think the housing frenzy in Syd can be compared to the London frenzy...It could take even 6 months to find a bedroom in certain areas in London...Thats not the case with Syd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lambethlad Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 $8-$10 for a schooner and $50 for a pub meal sounds extremely expensive to me. Here in Melbourne I pay $5-$6 for a schooner and $20-$30 for a pub meal. Sydney is okay for a short visit but new settlers can get better value for money elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ptp113 Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Ditto, I find the quality in UK and especially in London much better than in Sydney. I think "pub food" here is very ordinary (chicken parmigiana anyone) and I find Sydney fine dining to be way, way, waaay, behind London. Marco Pierre White, Giles Coren, Anthony Bourdain, are just three that would disagree with you. Change where you're eating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salco1982 Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I used to go there in the 80's but I dont like thr city now - too many "tourists" from the 'burbs.I stay in Surry Hills. The clcok house (i think thats the name) is a pretty good bar - great happy hour prices! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 $8-$10 for a schooner and $50 for a pub meal sounds extremely expensive to me. Here in Melbourne I pay $5-$6 for a schooner and $20-$30 for a pub meal.Sydney is okay for a short visit but new settlers can get better value for money elsewhere. It sounds expensive to me and I live in Sydney.....schooners of cr@p are typically $5 and of something decent they're $6 or so. Likewise similar prices to you quoted for pub meals Central Sydney.....tbh there's very little price differential between town and the 'burbs, in fact the cafes in my suburb I find more expensive than those in the city on the whole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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