Life in Sydney
Life in Sydney
Welcome to Sydney. We know you are going to love living in Sydney and have a great time if you are passing through.

Life in Sydney
Is Sydney a good place to live?
Yes, Sydney is a great place to live or visit. Below our guide to Sydney will give you all the information you need to make moving here easier or make your trip a more informed and enjoyable one.
Visas required to live in Sydney
If you happen to be a citizen from a country other than Australia and are looking to move to Sydney, you are going to need a visa to do so. Australia has many visas on offer that could allow you to live and work in Sydney. Due to there being many different visas, each with it’s own rights and obligations, it is best to take our Free Visa Assessment so we can provide accurate advice on the visa options available to you in your specific circumstances.
If you are moving to Sydney and want to find a job in Sydney we have a guide specifically on how to find and apply for jobs in Sydney for new arrivals. Always make sure you have secured a visa that allows you to work before starting your new job.
Map of Sydney
Weather in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney ( SID-nee) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia’s east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about 70 km (43.5 mi) towards the Blue Mountains to the west, Hawkesbury to the north, the Royal National Park to the south and Macarthur to the south-west. Sydney is made up of 658 suburbs, spread across 33 local government areas. Residents of the city are known as “Sydneysiders”. The 2021 census recorded the population of Greater Sydney as 5,231,150, meaning the city is home to approximately 66% of the state’s population. Nicknames of the city include the ‘Emerald City’ and the ‘Harbour City’.
Aboriginal Australians have inhabited the Greater Sydney region for at least 30,000 years, and Aboriginal engravings and cultural sites are common throughout Greater Sydney. The traditional custodians of the land on which modern Sydney stands are the clans of the Darug, Dharawal and Eora peoples.
During his first Pacific voyage in 1770, Lieutenant James Cook and his crew became the first Europeans to chart the eastern coast of Australia, making landfall at Botany Bay. In 1788, the First Fleet of convicts, led by Arthur Phillip, founded Sydney as a British penal colony, the first European settlement in Australia. After World War II, Sydney experienced mass migration and by 2021 over 40 per cent of the population was born overseas. Foreign countries of birth with the greatest representation are Mainland China, India, England, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Sydney frequently ranks in the top ten most liveable cities in the world. It is classified as an Alpha global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, indicating its influence in the region and throughout the world. Ranked eleventh in the world for economic opportunity, Sydney has an advanced market economy with strengths in finance, manufacturing and tourism. Established in 1850, the University of Sydney was Australia’s first university and is regarded as one of the world’s leading universities.
Sydney has hosted major international sporting events such as the 2000 Summer Olympics. The city is among the top fifteen most-visited cities in the world, with millions of tourists coming each year to see the city’s landmarks. The city has over 1,000,000 ha (2,500,000 acres) of nature reserves and parks, and its notable natural features include Sydney Harbour and Royal National Park. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House are major tourist attractions. Central Station is the hub of Sydney’s rail network, and the main passenger airport serving the city is Kingsford Smith Airport, one of the world’s oldest continually operating airports.
Hotels and Accommodation in Sydney
There are all types of accommodation available in Sydney. The best place to find Hotels, serviced apartments or holiday lets is via Book Direct and Save Bookdirectandsave.com
This website lists the exact same properties as Airbnb and booking.com but does not charge the high commissions so their nightly accommodation rates are cheaper.
Or contact any of these great local hotels, apartments or holiday accommodation businesses.
Sydney is full of great businesses and helpful services. Below are a selection of our best.
Accountants in Sydney
Banks in Sydney
Cafes in Sydney
Carpet Cleaners in Sydney
Dentists in Sydney
Doctors and Medical clinics in Sydney
You can make an appointment at any of these local doctors or clinics.
Contact one of the Sydney Electricians below
Hospitals in Sydney
Mechanics in Sydney
Newspapers in Sydney
Pest Control in Sydney
Plumbers in Sydney
Real Estate Agents in Sydney
Restaurants in Sydney
Schools in Sydney
Solicitors in Sydney
Supermarkets in Sydney
Vets in Sydney
For all information on living in towns and cities across Australia visit our Living in Australia index page where you will find 160 guides on areas right across the country.
To live and work in Australia you might be eligible for an Australian Work Visa or a Permanent Residency visa as a skilled worker. Find out more and move to Australia to live and work and start you new life.