Guide to Moving from Adelaide to Sydney

Guide to Moving from Adelaide to Sydney Featured Image

Whether you are thinking of moving to Sydney for the iconic harbour, job opportunities or bustling cosmopolitan lifestyle, there is no shortage of things to be excited about! From the stunning beaches to thriving arts and nightlife scenes to the bustling economy, it’s easy to begin day dreaming about your new life. However, before that dream can become a reality you first have to organise your interstate move from Adelaide!

It’s not uncommon to feel slightly overwhelmed by the idea of moving interstate, especially once you consider the time, effort and planning required. Fortunately, the team at Allied are highly experienced at interstate relocations and our dedicated interstate removal teams in Adelaide and Sydney interstate movers are ready to help with your move from start to finish! We have created this comprehensive guide so you have everything you may need to know about life in Sydney and how you can prepare for the big interstate move!

Living in Sydney

Sydney really is the best of both worlds with the benefits of a beach lifestyle and the advantages of a bigger city’s economy. But, what is living in Sydney really like? And how does it compare to your old life in Adelaide? We explain.

WORK & CAREER

One of the main reasons that Adelaide residents decide to make the move to Sydney is due to the increased range of job opportunities and various industries. Because Sydney is recognised as a key international player, there are more than 600 multinational companies running their Asia Pacific operations from the city. You will also find a medley of industries from finance, information media and technology, tourism, the creative arts and events. Some sectors such as defence and aerospace, health and life sciences, manufacturing, and education, are experiencing new growth and offering great opportunities for those seeking career development.

HOUSING

When it comes to expensive and competitive house markets in Australia, it’s tough to beat Sydney! Once you begin researching the rental and housing market, you will quickly discover that this isn’t just an exaggerated reputation. Compared to Adelaide, Sydney is astronomically more expensive. According to reporting by the ABC, the median house value in Sydney is $1,381,045 compared to Adelaide’s value of $742,909. Renting in Sydney also comes with a hefty price tag, especially when compared to Adelaide. The cost of renting a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Sydney is estimated at $4,895 a month, almost double Adelaide’s estimate of $2,572.

Sydney is the biggest city in Australia so there is no shortage of different suburbs to choose from! For suburbs which combine amazing beaches and other amenities such as parks, restaurants, cafes, and schools, we recommend the eastern suburbs of Bondi, Coogee and Woollahara. However, keep in mind that they are more expensive. The inner-west, including Glebe, Balmain, and Redfern is great for families as well as young people who want culture. If you need something more affordable, head further west from the city centre and try suburbs like Greater Parramatta and Rooty Hill.

GETTING AROUND SYDNEY

Sydney is notorious for its intense traffic! Because of this, many people use public transport to easily get around. There are multiple different transportation options including metro, trains, buses, ferries, and the light rail. The equivalent of the metroCARD is the Opal Card in Sydney, which you can use to pay for your transportation and top-up. Cycling in Sydney can be tough when commuting due to the large number of hills and traffic, so keep to the designated cycle paths especially if cycling with children.

CLIMATE

The climate of Sydney is one of the wonderful advantages of living in the city! The sunny climate has mild winters and warm summers. When it comes to comparing temperatures, Sydney and Adelaide are fairly matched in both the summer and winter months. During the summer months, temperatures tend to range between 18 to 25℃. In the winter, temperatures average from 8 to 17℃.

THE CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

The culture and lifestyle is a significant draw for Adelaide residents choosing to relocate to Sydney. There is an expansive arts and culture scene, with countless art galleries, theatres, music venues and festivals. You can shop till you drop as Sydney has something for everyone with a mix of large scale shopping centres, small boutiques and pop-up markets. After some tricky years following the lock-out laws and COVID-19 lockdowns, Sydney’s nightlife has bounced back with various bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs.

Because of the great weather and proximity to the beaches, sports and leisure are a key 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.

Planning your move to Sydney from Adelaide

You’ve got a solid understanding about what life will be like in Sydney so it is now time to begin planning your interstate move from Adelaide.

PACKING BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE

We know that packing can be a tedious and boring task, however it should never be left to the last minute! Your belongings and furniture will need to travel over 1,375 kilometres to reach their new home in Sydney so ensuring they are packed properly is crucial. Otherwise, a rushed packing job can lead to your precious items becoming lost, damaged or broken during the move.

To ensure your belongings and furniture are safe and secure for the journey, we recommend packing as early as possible. Start with seasonal or less frequently used items, and go room by room. Having the right packing materials such as moving boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape makes a world of difference in securing your items for the move. Don’t forget to label your boxes to make unpacking a lot easier. 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 from Adelaide to Sydney, there are two main options for transporting it to your new home. Option one is to drive your car to Sydney yourself, which will take at least 14 hours of driving time. The second option is to use vehicle transportation service. This is especially recommended if you don’t have the time or stamina to drive the vehicle yourself. The professionals will safely transport your vehicle interstate, saving you the excessive driving and cost of petrol, accommodation and food along the way.

PREPARE YOUR PETS

We understand that relocating interstate is stressful for everyone, pets included! Before you relocate, take your pet to the vet for a check-up and let them know about your move. You will also need to update their microchip and collar with your new address. 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.

CONSIDER STORAGE

If you are unsure about what you want to take with you to Sydney, using a storage service is a great option as you’re able to securely store your items. To provide you with flexibility during your move from Adelaide to Sydney, we recommend using short-term storage to house your belongings and furniture until you are more settled into your new home. For longer periods, our long-term storage solutions will keep your items safe and sound for as long as you need in our purpose built facilities. However, if you do choose a storage provider, such as Allied Removalists Australia, make sure they can deliver your stored belongings and furniture directly to your door (even if you are interstate).

CHOOSING BETWEEN REMOVALISTS VS DIY

When planning your interstate move from Adelaide to Sydney, you will need to choose whether you use a removals company or attempt to handle the move yourself. As relocating interstate is no small undertaking, it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. Usually, the decision will be decided on whether it is better value to use a removalist.

You may be surprised to learn that it can be more cost-effective to use removalists when moving interstate. This is because of the numerous costs that you must account for when moving yourself, which can include 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. Simply ask your removalist for a quote on your interstate move before making the decision on how to handle your move.

Move to Sydney from Adelaide with Allied Moving Services

If you are ready to move to Sydney from Adelaide then do it with Allied Moving Services! We can ensure that your interstate relocation is a seamless and efficient experience so you can begin enjoying your new home as soon as possible. Our experienced team of Adelaide and Sydney interstate removalists will handle every aspect of your move, every single step of the way.

Interested in moving to nearby cities in NSW other than Sydney? As Allied has dedicated teams in other areas of NSW such as our Newcastle removalists, Coffs Harbour removalists, and Wagga Wagga removalists, we can assist with your interstate move from Adelaide! You can find out more information about our interstate relocations and receive a free quote which is specific to your move today!