Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
Nomad Score:
72%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales, is known for its stunning harbor, iconic landmarks, and diverse culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 5.3 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 50 Mbps (varies by area) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 AUD ≈ 0.64 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, and American Express; banks like Westpac and Commonwealth Bank are widely used. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, serviced apartments, and long-term rentals, with neighborhoods like Surry Hills, Newtown, and Bondi being popular. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, even for small amounts. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and other vacation rental platforms are widely available. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Wake Up! Sydney and YHA Sydney Harbour offer affordable lodging. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork at 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont is popular among remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Single O, located in Surry Hills, offers great coffee and a work-friendly environment. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups are organized via platforms like Meetup.com, focusing on tech and entrepreneurship. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups such as 'Sydney Expats' are active for community gatherings and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is widely used, along with local options like Ola. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Circ offer electric scooters; bike-sharing is available through services like Sydney Bike. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Bondi Beach, about 30 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Qantas is the primary regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Qantas and Virgin Australia operate numerous international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major connections include M1 Pacific Motorway and Eastern Distributor. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Central Station serves as the main train hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Opal Card is used for easy access to trains, buses, and ferries. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains run to nearby cities like Newcastle and Wollongong regularly. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is a major healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Bikram Yoga in Bondi Junction offers classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fernwood Fitness and Anytime Fitness have several locations. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like South Dowling Laundromat are available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo are popular food delivery options. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the classic meat pie, a local favorite. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Wild Life Bakery offers a range of plant-based options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Gelato Messina is a must-visit for dessert lovers. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Paddy's Market offers a variety of fresh produce and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Kogan and Catch are popular e-commerce platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coles and Woolworths offer online grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | King's Cross and Newtown are vibrant nightlife districts. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Young Henrys in Newtown offers local brews. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vincent Wine Bar is popular for wine tasting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Carriageworks Farmers Market hosts various food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Chinatown is great for diverse Asian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are iconic structures. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Art Gallery of New South Wales showcases Australian art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Rocks area contains significant historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Mary's Cathedral is a notable religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music, and ideas, occurs in May. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Newtown is known for its artistic and cultural vibe. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Sydney Opera House hosts various performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Rocks Markets are held every weekend, featuring local artisans. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Sydney has a vibrant music scene, with venues like The Enmore Theatre. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Newtown and Surry Hills have a thriving street art culture. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Sydney Seafood School offers cooking classes focused on local seafood. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | White Rabbit Gallery focuses on contemporary Chinese art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Queen Victoria Building is a renowned historic landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Sydney's history reflects Indigenous Australian culture and colonial influences. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Royal National Park, about an hour from the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Blue Mountains National Park offers stunning landscapes and hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Coastal Walk links Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair is breathtaking. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Sydney Olympic Park offers birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Fire pits are allowed at Bondi Beach. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Australia Post is the national postal service. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Store and Harvey Norman provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Ding Dong Dang Ping Pong Club in Darlinghurst is popular. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Sydney Community College offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The State Library of New South Wales is a great place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local community centers host various activities; example includes the Pyrmont Community Centre. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Café 32 is a gaming lounge that hosts video game events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Star Sydney is the city's main casino. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 400,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 8,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 320,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 8,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 510,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 390,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 7,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 440,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system based on residency status. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Australia has CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual land tax based on land value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty applies, varies by state, commonly around 4-5%. |