Are you leaving Brisbane behind for the iconic harbour and bustling cosmopolitan lifestyle of Sydney? From the beautiful beaches, wide range of international cuisines on offer, and the thriving arts and nightlife scenes, there is so much to be excited about when moving to Sydney. But before you can begin enjoying everything Sydney has to offer, you first have to organise your move!
Any move can be time consuming and requires planning, and an interstate move from Brisbane to Sydney is no exception! Fortunately, the team at Allied are highly experienced at interstate relocations - with dedicated interstate removalists in Brisbane and Sydney interstate removalists ready to help with your move from start to finish. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything you may need to know about living in Sydney and how to best prepare for your move!
Life in Sydney
Sydney is a mix of drop-dead gorgeous beaches and whirring economic activity all packed into one city. As Australia’s biggest capital city, it’s easy to feel slightly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of Sydney. We explain what everyday living in Sydney actually entails and how it compares to Brisbane.
WORK & CAREER
A huge factor in relocating from Brisbane is Sydney’s abundance of job opportunities and wide range of industries. As cities go, Sydney is recognised as a key international player with more than 600 multinational companies running their Asia Pacific operations from the city. Sydney hosts a medley of industries from finance, tourism, creative arts and events. There is also new growth in some sectors such as defence and aerospace, health and life sciences, manufacturing, and technology.
HOUSING
Sydney is notorious for its competitive and expensive housing market. Unfortunately, this isn’t just an exaggerated reputation, you’ll find that housing in Sydney is more expensive than in Brisbane. The median house value in Sydney is $1,243,126, compared to Brisbane’s median value of $798,552. Renting in Sydney also comes with a hefty price tag. According to Budget Direct, renting a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Sydney will cost around $4,895 a month.
As the biggest city in Australia, Sydney offers numerous different suburbs to choose from. If you are looking for something close to the fantastic beaches as well as other amenities like parks, restaurants, cafes, and schools, the eastern suburbs such as Bondi, Coogee and Woollahara are recommended, but they tend to be more expensive. The inner-west, including Glebe, Balmain, and Redfern is great for families as well as young people who are looking for culture and green spaces. The further west from the city centre, the more affordable the housing will become so suburbs like Greater Parramatta and Rooty Hill.
THE CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
Sydney has an expansive arts and culture scene, with countless art galleries, theatres, music venues and festivals. The shopping in Sydney has something for everyone, with a mix of large scale shopping centres, small boutiques and pop-up markets. Following the lifting of the lock-out laws and the COVID-19 lockdowns, nightlife in Sydney has bounced back with various bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs.
The weather and proximity to the beaches means that sports and leisure are a significant part of Sydney-siders' everyday lives. You can enjoy playing sports like cricket, rugby, learning to surf or enjoy walking the famous Bondi to Bronte walk.
TRANSPORTATION
If you need to get around Sydney, the best way is to use public transport due to the infamous traffic. There are multiple different transportation options including metro, trains, buses, ferries, and the light rail. Sydney’s equivalent of the Go Card is the Opal Card which you can use to pay for your transportation and top-up. Cycling in Sydney can be tough when commuting due to the large amount of hills and traffic, so it’s best to stick to the designated cycle routes.
CLIMATE
Sydney experiences a sunny climate with mild winters and warm summers, although it is cooler than Brisbane. During the summer months, temperatures tend to range between 18 to 25℃. In the winter, Sydney is much cooler than Brisbane with temperatures averaging from 8 to 17℃.
Planning your move to Sydney
Now that you have an idea of what life will be like in Sydney, it’s time to start preparing your interstate move from Brisbane.
PACKING BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE
There’s no doubt that packing is the most dreaded part of any interstate move, however it shouldn’t be left to the last minute. As your belongings and furniture will need to travel under 1,000 kilometres from Brisbane to Sydney, doing a good packing job is essential to them being safe and secure for the journey.
We recommend packing as early as possible. You can start with seasonal or less frequently used items. Ensure you have the right packing materials such as boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape, and don’t forget to label your boxes. As there is so much to organise for your interstate move, you can take the stress off of you and ensure your items are packed properly by using a professional packing service.
MOVING A CAR OR VEHICLE
If you’d like to bring your vehicle with you to Sydney, you need to decide how you like to transport it to your new home. The first option is to drive your car which takes over ten hours of driving time. If you don’t have the time or stamina to do so, we recommend using a vehicle transportation service. The professionals will safely transport your vehicle interstate, saving you the excessive driving and cost of petrol, accommodation and food along the way.
RELOCATING WITH PETS
Pets are part of the family so you will need to prepare them for the journey. Before you relocate, take your pet to the vet for a check-up and let them know about your move. As it is such a long way to drive with a pet, it is highly recommended that you use a pet transportation service. They will have the right expertise and resources to get your pet to their new home in Sydney, safely and efficiently.
STORAGE
When organising your interstate move, it can often feel underwhelming to know what you’d like to take to your new home. Storage is a great option as you’re able to securely store your items. Long-term storage to keep your items safe and sound for longer periods of time. However, if you choose a storage provider, such as Allied Removalists Australia, they can deliver your stored belongings and furniture directly to your door (even if you are interstate). If you require some additional flexibility during your move, use short-term storage until you are more settled into your home in Sydney.
REMOVALISTS VS DIY
Every interstate move involves the decision of whether you should handle the move yourself or enlist the help of experts. Moving from Brisbane to your new home in Sydney is no small undertaking. It can be incredibly expensive and time consuming, with multiple logistics to keep track of so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. Usually, the decision depends on whether it is cheaper to move by yourself.
Many people are surprised that it can be more cost-effective to use removalists when moving interstate. This is due to the myriad of costs you must account for when moving yourself, such as petrol, packing materials, the time taken to pack and move yourself (including taking time off work), renting a truck or van, and any other incidental expenses. After adding up these significant costs, it can end up being much more cost-effective to use professional movers.
Removalists also have the advantage of saving time and energy as they have the experience, a high level of training and the right professional equipment to handle your relocation to Sydney and carefully look after your belongings.
There is also the added benefit of removalists offering multiple services (such as pet relocation, storage, and transit insurance) which can provide a more competitive deal compared to using numerous service providers. Ask your removalist for a quote on your interstate move to Sydney before you make your decision on how to handle your move.