MissionMelbourne Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 We are just ending a 3.5 trip to Australia which consisted of 9 nights of migration research in Melbourne, then up to Brisbane for a few nights then a Road trip down the east coast ending with 5 nights in Sydney. I have to say, Sydney was the worst place we visited in that time. Compared with what we had seen previously, this place was dreadful. Melbourne and Brisbane had a buzz about them, something unique whereas Sydney just felt like any other, big, over priced, commercialised, boring city. I will say that Darling Harbour and the Rocks district of the city are well worth a visit as they do have charm and there is something unique about them. But overall this place is hugely overrated. Even the Opera House is looking shabby up close, missing tiles all over the place. So disappointing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 I lived in Sydney for over 20 years and couldn't wait to get out of it. There are lovely parts of the city but overall it's just to big and busy for me. Have to say I was never bored. Always found loads of stuff to do. Also my OH and I had good, steady, well paying jobs which gave us a good standard of living so I can't knock Sydney as far as employment is concerned. Funnily enough I don't like Darling Harbour at all. So after your reccie have you decided where you might end up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissionMelbourne Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 Yeah it's Melbourne all day long for us, much more to our liking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest263228 Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Seemingly all roads lead to Melbourne at least as far as preferences go. Only downside being the population of that city is streaming ahead of Sydney's. This will impact on house prices and quality of life over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Just left Sydney after 15 years. I think it is a stunningly beautiful city, nothing beats the view from Georges Head or the Bronte to Bondi walk. The northern beaches are lovely, the Curl Curl to Dee Why walk is another great one. Balmain is a lovely old suburb with great pubs and architecture as is Paddington. Personally I hate the Rocks and Darling Harbour as both are tourist traps, locals don't go there. That's the problem with research reccies, knowing where to go. I do agree though that it is hugely expensive and to buy a 3 bed house in an inner suburb you wil need a minimum $2 million. Which is one of the reasons I left. The infrastructure is also changing rapidly, all the new builds of which there are many are high rises. This is deliberate as a result of the state planning policies which now mandate high density developments in many areas. It is not a European model, as a mate of mine who was born in Sydney said, referring to the architecture, it is now becoming an Asian city. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 We all like something different. I hated Melbourne CBD. Love Perth CBD although it's small, loved Sydney CBD and the harbour and getting to like Brisbane CBD although it isn't wheelchair friendly. Darwin there isn't much there. Still need to visit ACT and Adelaide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 11 hours ago, MissionMelbourne said: Yeah it's Melbourne all day long for us, much more to our liking @MissionMelbourne where in Melbourne did you visit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InkBlots Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Bondi Beach was my biggest disappointment with Sydney, world famous, but grossly overrated. I haven't lived in Sydney, only Melbourne and Adelaide, and like them both. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissionMelbourne Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 8 hours ago, The Pom Queen said: @MissionMelbourne where in Melbourne did you visit? We stayed in Southbank and we visited the Botanical gardens, Albert Park, the AND, the MCG for an AFL game, the Aami for a soccer game, the queen vic night market, Lygon Street, St Kilda, Walked the Yarra, just to mention a few places. We went there with the idea that this could be a place to live and we came away amazed by how much the city has to offer, and we left still with things to visit and experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissionMelbourne Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 4 hours ago, InkBlots said: Bondi Beach was my biggest disappointment with Sydney, world famous, but grossly overrated. I haven't lived in Sydney, only Melbourne and Adelaide, and like them both. Oh my god that place!!! The beach front shopping area was lined with litter, and every shop was either a subway, Ben and jerrys, Hungry Jacks or McDonald's. It's Australia's Benidorm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 18 minutes ago, MissionMelbourne said: So many gorgeous beaches around Sydney and Bondi is definitely the worst. It seems to still attract loads of UK and European backpackers though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Watch out for those Bondi Cigars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest263228 Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Have stayed in Sydney twice over last quarter year and would likely move there all being equal. I do like the buzz and more eccentricity evident than on the streets of Perth. Saying that I hardly think it a great city to live with survival mode clearly evident, to varying extents to those I know living there. In fact one family I know would love to move to Perth. Another a European single female, still claims to enjoy the Sydney lifestyle, but is work stressed, and doesn't have a lot a social life outside of her bush/urban walking club. Sydney now being mentioned as the second most expensive city for property in some quarters after Hong Kong, can one would expect, offer a diminished lifestyle to all but the lucky and/or the rich. I would agree it is over rated at such a price. Of course the harbour is top rate. A great port city to arrive or leave by sea and only Rio has a better harbour in my experience. Sadly few live with sea/harbour views though and to what price does the Sydney experience become invalid due to extreme cost as to make it hardly worth the effort. I was reading the other day the difficulty in getting top notch computer professionals from Europe to stay. Many find the city too expensive and too boring. Still an attractive location for Asian professional staff though....for now at least. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 5 hours ago, Toots said: So many gorgeous beaches around Sydney and Bondi is definitely the worst. It seems to still attract loads of UK and European backpackers though. Agree its another tourist trap because it is easy to get to by public transport. Much prefer the northern beaches. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 3 hours ago, Pura Vida said: Sadly few live with sea/harbour views though and to what price does the Sydney experience become invalid due to extreme cost as to make it hardly worth the effort. I did live in a harbourside suburb but I moved there 15 years ago when the dollar was worth 33p. I completely agree that Sydney is about the harbour and beaches. If you can't afford to live in the inner harbour zone what's the point. I am also struck by how much more relaxed people are back home where the cost of housing is so much less. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaty Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 I have lived in Sydney, but wouldn't live there again. Great to visit.... We're looking forward to our new life in Mellie! B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 11 hours ago, MissionMelbourne said: We stayed in Southbank and we visited the Botanical gardens, Albert Park, the AND, the MCG for an AFL game, the Aami for a soccer game, the queen vic night market, Lygon Street, St Kilda, Walked the Yarra, just to mention a few places. We went there with the idea that this could be a place to live and we came away amazed by how much the city has to offer, and we left still with things to visit and experience. Ahh I'm guessing you are a couple without children and I agree if you like city life then Melbourne probably is for you or maybe even Brisbane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 10 hours ago, Toots said: So many gorgeous beaches around Sydney and Bondi is definitely the worst. It seems to still attract loads of UK and European backpackers though. Yes it's definitely a young ones beach. I love the beaches in the North. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Sydney is great for a long weekend but not forever. Seems to be harder to get to know people there to me , they all seem to be rushing around with stony faces! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 (edited) I must be the odd one out here. I really enjoyed life in Sydney for well over 20 years and it was only getting to retirement age that I decided I'd had enough of city living. I used to spend most weekends with friends on their property near Bathurst where we shared a horse. After they sold up and moved to Nelson Bay husband and I started looking for a place outside Sydney. Looked at lots of places south of Sydney and nearly bought a house near Ulladulla but in the end we both preferred Tasmania where we had spent many happy holidays. Our 2nd son has his own place in Newtown (Sydney) and has a good job and is very content there - good friends and a girlfriend. Other son overseas. We were very lucky to buy in Sydney when house prices were"normal". Wouldn't like to be starting out there all over again now. I haven't been back since we moved here (over 3 years ago) but it's my turn to catch up with friends - they have been here a couple of times - so I'm looking forward to seeing the place again. Edited April 17, 2017 by Toots 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiths Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 Sydney requires local knowledge as its so big. Takes years to get to know it well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest263228 Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 Surely same could be said for any big city? But surely Sydney less so than many? It is hardly New York or London or Mumbai for that matter. (hardly an Alpha city) I have never lived there, but have visited it on a number of occasions over the years(know quite a few living there as well) and certainly don't find it that hard to know. Obviously don't know, nor need to, every suburb , but know most places worth knowing (many as well that are not) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest263228 Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 On 17/04/2017 at 9:19 AM, starlight7 said: Sydney is great for a long weekend but not forever. Seems to be harder to get to know people there to me , they all seem to be rushing around with stony faces! Funny I once said something akin to that. Recent few visits found it a little different with actually speaking with locals over breakfast in Potts Point to locals, ( and others at chance encounters in Coogee (admittingly a South African transplant, but Sydneysider now) as well as finding people more 'open' to discussion in different circumstances, such as a computer/camera repair shop/a box/parcel sending business all come to mind. It could have been the 'away feeling' but found more eccentricity and 'openness' than apparent in Perth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 1 hour ago, Pura Vida said: Funny I once said something akin to that. Recent few visits found it a little different with actually speaking with locals over breakfast in Potts Point to locals, ( and others at chance encounters in Coogee (admittingly a South African transplant, but Sydneysider now) as well as finding people more 'open' to discussion in different circumstances, such as a computer/camera repair shop/a box/parcel sending business all come to mind. It could have been the 'away feeling' but found more eccentricity and 'openness' than apparent in Perth. You and @MARYROSE02 would get on great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveandKirsty Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 Sydney is a typical 'big' city. It was the first Australian place I saw, not only was I overawed by how busy it was but it rained and rained (and then rained some more) I couldn't wait to leave! Went back again (twice) later on and liked it a lot more (even though it was still raining) but I couldn't ever live there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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