It’s a cloudy Sunday in Sydney, and I’m sat in my flat in Woolloomooloo looking out of the large glass windows over the balcony to the famous Harry’s Café the Wheels, the busy road where lots of people are waking and exercising, the wharf and Sydney’s Central Business District. I can’t believe I’ve already been here six week but at the same time it feels like it’s been ages. As often in the early days of settling in a different city and country, it has been a time of many ups and a few downs, and since I vowed to be honest in this blog and not sugar-coat anything, I’m going to cover both.
Clouds in the sky
The first month of my stay here was mainly consumed by exploring the area and working as I had a big event to deliver at Australia’s beautiful Gold Coast earlier this month. At the same time, I needed to find longer-term accommodation. That’s one thing which sets moving for work apart from travelling freely: Whilst I had support to move over here and the regular income of a permanent job, I work full-time whilst I’m settling down instead of cruising the country meeting new people all the time. There’s a time and a place for everything, and whilst I’m glad for everything this year has brought to me, I’ve got to sometimes remind myself that it’s a lot to process and arrange – you’re on your own in a new city and straight into a new job, and that can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Thankfully I have many amazing people in my life who cheer me up and encourage me when I’m feeling low, whether they’re nearby or living at the other end of the world 🙂 This, together with accepting that you need to rest EVEN THOUGH you’re in a beautiful city in sunny Australia (and you “should be” happy all the time about it) as well as exercising has proven the best remedy for those days and moments of worry.
Many of you may have heard about the bushfires in Australia. Summer hasn’t even properly started, yet the place is already burning worse than ever. Most of Sydney is “only” affected by the constant smoky haze that penetrates the city (which is obviously very worrying and definitely not great for the air quality) but it’s even more devastating to see humans and wildlife alike suffering across the state and in Southern Australia. Whilst Australia is praying for rain, click here to find out how you can help support the volunteers as well as people and animals affected by this tragedy.
Flat hunting in Sydney
My company put me up in Woolloomooloo for the first couple of months, which is super-convenient: close to the CBD, close to bustling Kings Cross station and train connections, yet in walking distance to my office. It is also a lovely little spot and this is how I was able to walk to work every day ever since I got here. The only downside of Woolloomooloo for me was the fact that it’s quite busy and my flat is next to a main road, so I decided that when looking for my own flat, I’d aim for somewhere more quiet and if possible, closer to the beach.
Just like in London and Vancouver years ago, I started my flat hunting by exploring the area. East of Woolloomooloo, there are a few very lovely suburbs on the south shore, namely Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay and Rose Bay. One beautifully sunny day, I decided I’d walk the entire lot of them to see if they might be potential new homes.
As their names indicate, all of these scenic little places have their own bays, which adds to their charm. Elizabeth Bay features a small but very picturesque little waterside, whilst Rushcutters Bay has a reasonably large piece of green right next to its vast bay.
Double Bay features the beautiful Double Bay Beach and Seven Shillings Beach including Redleaf Café overlooking the bay and Murray Rose Pool, a large tidal enclosure.
My favourite of all (but also the most expensive of the four) is Rose Bay with a secluded, leafy bay featuring Rose Bay Park and Bellamy Beach as well as a wharf from which a ferry travels to the city, Rushcutters Bay and Watsons Bay.
There are many more wonderful places in Sydney but I didn’t want to go any further out because I really don’t fancy an hour-long commute. However I couldn’t find many furnished apartments in the area, so I kept looking at Bondi Junction (mid-way between famous Bondi Beach and the city) as well as Bondi Beach. A lot of British and Irish live in Bondi and whilst it’s really convenient, the apartments I saw there were a little run down and overpriced for what they were. Bondi Beach is a bit far for my liking to get to work, albeit an amazing place to live.
It wasn’t until my workmate Matt told me I should maybe look at places just opposite the CBD, on the north-side of the bridge. I’d never been there so I headed over to explore the north shore and in particular Kirribilli, Neutral Bay and Crows Nest. I was immediately excited by the nice, relaxed vibe in proximity to the CBD.
Next weekend, I’ll be moving into my new place in Neutral Bay, close to a little beach and yet only a short hop on the ferry or the train (I could even walk!) to work. Stay tuned for more about living in Neutral Bay shortly and do a little rain dance for us!
