Living in Australia

[strange_man]

Hi guys!

I plan to go to either Melbourne or Sydney in Jan, to start my university education there. I was wondering if you all could help me with the following points:

1. Books. I'm an avid reader, and every bookshop I went to on vacation to Melb/Syd had prices at AUD $20 where they should have equalled to AUD $16 at the maximum. Does anyone know specific places, or online bookshops, that stock books at more normal price levels?

2. Shops closing early. I know this happens in the UK too, but what does a HK-bred boy do after shops close at 6? I was wondering if someone could clue me in.

3. Public transport. I personally think the public transport system in Melb is nice (though nowhere near HK level), and Syd is so-so. Do any of you have tips/general comments regarding the public transport there? Is it convenient yet relatively cheap?

4. Most difficult question (or easiest to some) - Melbourne or Sydney? Both have plusses and minuses - I cant decide! Hypothetically, both Unis are equally as good.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Regards,
Strange Man

[schmeardo]

Hi,
I am from Melbourne, in HK for a few months, I go to Melb uni there as a postgrad, if you want some info about Melb message me, I've been to Sydney a few times, it's nice to look at, but prefer the living in Melb. Book prices vary greatly depending on the bookshop, you can usually pick up good secondhand books as well, plenty of bookshops selling those there. There are 24 hour supermarkets all over Melb, if not they close at midnight usually, there are plenty of bars, pubs, clubs that are open all hours etc. etc.. The city used to be really boring but now there are a lot of international students living there it's quite active at night. I don't know what you're doing for accomodation, but check out prices for houses before you get there, as I've met quite a few international students living in apartments the size of my bedroom and paying twice as much! You should be able to get a room in a nice house for between AUS$400-600 a month depending on the suburb.
Anyway,
Message/email me if you have any other questions!
Cheers,
Matt
[email protected]

[sunniefaith]

I did my masters at Sydney Uni. Have to warn you, there's no travel concession for international students studying in New South Wales. Not sure how this will affect your decision. Public transport can cost a bit. Renting a place near Sydney Uni is also expensive. So do be prepared.

[discobay]

Both are great places to live. Sydney is very sprawled out rather like LA and getting around can be fiddly at first. Sydney's weather is warm to hot with the occassional wet patch. It has first class beaches too. Melbourne is a more compact city and very green. The weather changes daily and beaches are scarce and far. St Kilda beach has been renovated since it's days as a drug base. Chinatown there is small compared to Sydney's.
I don't think getting around is going to be a problem as a student as in general suitable accomodation is usually found within walking distance from academic institutions. The rent you pay may be the deciding factor as each city has had its boom years.

[strange_man]

Thanks for all the help so far guys!

So the general consensus is:
- public transport in Melbourne is better than Sydney?

- renting is also more expensive in Sydney than Melbourne? For my first year I'll be staying at a college of residence but I know that this information will no doubt help me later on.

- Melbourne is easier to get around than Sydney?

- Both places are equally nice to live in, being a Hongkie?

Thanks for all the help so far! I think now that I know that iTunes is in Oz my music problems are solved, but being an avid reader I still dont want to pay 30 more HKD when I dont have to!

Regards,
Strange