Sydney City Guide

Sydney is one of the most stunning cities on earth. Few other places match the drama and beauty of this geographically blessed location. Between the ocean, the harbor and its many inlets, and the countless hills, it seems like almost everyone has a great view. It's hard not to be seduced as you explore the unhurried, upscale suburbs by the beaches, the gritty inner city neighborhoods full of energy, or the areas farther afield, which offer country living with city access. 

Like Australia itself, this city is a home to immigrants. The country's biggest metro of almost five million people has been inhabited for 30,000 years. And since English convicts first landed on its shores in the 18th century, Sydney's harbor – replaced by its airport in modern times – has welcomed scores of people from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It boasts the largest Lebanese population outside of Lebanon. Irish, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Turkish, and Indonesian communities are also prominent. Sometimes it seems like every ethnicity has a big presence here.

That diversity is to the city's benefit as it's created a cosmopolitan culture with much to offer. Sydney has humble, hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurants that have lines of hungry diners out the door, expensive celebrity chef-led restaurants where you have to make a reservation months in advance, and everything in between. Nightlife is similarly varied, from laid-back pubs to hip speakeasies to ritzy casinos. Festivals throughout the year celebrate different cultures, food, the arts, music…everything really.

As you'd expect of a city so blessed by geography, the population is outdoors oriented. Regardless of the day, people will be in the parks working out, going for a morning or evening surf, or hiking at any of the incredible bushlands in and around Sydney. 

With this sort of bounty, it's no surprise that Australia has been deemed "The Lucky Country"…and Sydney's certainly won big.

Read on to learn about the basics (housing, transportation, internet, and more!) of moving to Sydney and to find the perfect suburb for you.