Packing up your home and moving abroad half way across the world to Australia can be a daunting task, but Sydney is well-connected for relocations with thousands of people moving there every year from the UK, US and all over the world.
The state capital of New South Wales, Sydney is a vibrant, sprawling city from its harbour-side centre to the Blue Mountains in the west. Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and is home to the world’s largest natural harbour, Port Jackson.
Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with 35% of the estimated 5 million population born overseas, so you’re sure to find somewhere to fit in when you have moved to your new home in Sydney.
Shipping to Sydney
While you’ll want to bring all your personal belongings, furniture and homewares with you, remember that there will be many things you can purchase when you have arrived in Sydney. Australia has everything you’ll need and with internet shopping now the norm, you’ll even be able to order your favourite foods and goods from home online.
Sydney has one of the largest deep water ports in Australia located at White Bay, just minutes from the city centre. This means that shipping from overseas is easy, seamless and as efficient as possible. To get estimates for your international move overseas to Sydney, use our International Moving Cost Calculator and you’ll find professional international removal companies to help you.
Where to live in Sydney
Choosing where to live when you have moved abroad to Sydney is probably going to be your most difficult decision, but only because there are so many great suburbs to choose from.
Bondi and the Eastern Suburbs on the city’s coast are ideal for the beach life, but if you’re working in Sydney’s city centre you’ll need to factor in the commute. Nearer to town are the trendy suburbs of Paddington and Double Bay, both favourites for the ‘in-crowd’ with rows of boutique shops and regular weekend markets.
On the North Shore a more tranquil way of life emerges, with harbour-view apartments at Milson’s Point to the quiet bay retreats of Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay.
Life in Sydney
You’ll have no trouble finding things to do in and around Sydney.
Sydney is the life of South Asia with a diverse mixture of cultures, food and activities. Sydney-siders love their food and annual food festivals are high points of the summer, such as the Night Time Noodles markets at Circular Quay, and you won’t miss the smell of traditional Aussie ‘barbies’ drifting through the suburbs.
Meanwhile, you’ll have to get used to an active, outdoor lifestyle either on the beach, in the water, or hitting the road running. Sydney-siders are an energetic bunch and getting out there and joining them is all part of the fun once you have moved to Sydney.
Sydney Property Prices
If you have decided to move abroad to Sydney, you’ll be aware that Sydney is the most expensive area of Australia to by property in. Sydney’s median house price is nearly 10 times higher than the median household income.
The average property price for buying a home in Sydney is $1.1 million. Renting a 3 bedroom home in the city centre will cost around $4,500 a month, and $3,000 outside Sydney’s city centre.
Public Transport
Sydney’s public transport is functional and cheap. There is no underground train line, instead American-style double-decker overland trains service the city centre and connect all of suburban Sydney.
Otherwise a substantial bus network also makes it easy to get around town. There’s a free city centre shuttle bus that travels between Central Station to Circular Quay.
Moving to Sydney with Children
If you have a family and need to think about schools the first thing to remember is that the academic year in Australia is different to the UK and Europe. Summer holidays happen in December, over Christmas, and the academic year starts at the end of January.
To help you choose a school when moving abroad to Sydney, start researching potential schools on the internet and get in touch with them early on via email. That way you’ll be as informed as possible.
Where you live and which school your children will go to is closely linked, since similar to the UK, school enrolment is linked to the catchment area around the school. Schools will be able to tell you where their catchment areas are.
Alternatively there are also a range of faith-based, private and independent schools to choose from.
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