Sydney Survival Guide For New Expats

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A lot of us pack our bags, bid good-bye to our loved ones, leave everything we've ever known behind and head with an unexplained inspiration to explore opportunities down under. I did the same, almost five years ago now; my inspiration was a beautiful film shot in Sydney, that showcased all the typical gems this city has to offer and more. Be sure to make a quick note of what your inspiration was and lose it away somewhere in your tit-bits.

Okay, so we are here - now what? Sydney is a relatively big city with sydneysiders practically missing in action, so-much-so I would categorise them as almost extinct. Yes my friends, 'Sydney Originals' are a very hard bunch of birds to find in this city, leave alone breaking into their tough and long-established inner circles. So, here's a little 'Sydney Survival Guide' for those of us brave-hearts who want this place to be all that we dreamt it would be…

1. Explore a bit of this city with thou - yes, that's right, yourself. Consider this homework - just the fun kind. Sydney does really have all those sites you saw in the Australian ad campaigns and Google images. Here are a few must-dos to warm yourself up to this place:
- A day in Bondi - spend a morning with a surf lesson from Bondi Surf Co. Grab a coffee from Gustos on Hall Street and take the famous Bondi to Coogee walk and end the arvo with a bite at the 'Cish & Fips' by Coogee beach

- A day in Surry/Paddo - take the train to central station and then a 10min stroll to crown street. Walk Crown street all the way from Cleveland to Oxford, stopping over at celebrity chef's Bills for the world's most 'must-have' breakfast - the ricotta hotcakes or if you're the savoury type, the corn fritters. Then make a right on Oxford, enjoying the rainbow part then transition into Paddington (you'll know when it changes) for a browsing arvo of high-street-like shops.

-A day in Manly - do the Manly ferry, enough said.

- The poster day - check out the weekend market in the Rocks then find the stairs to the bridge and walk across (it takes about 20 mins) to Kirribilli, buy some grub walk to Milsons Point across the road to Luna Park, catch a few old-school rides or pay $6 something and take a dip in the historical North Sydney Olympic Pool. Then, take a stroll along the water to Lavender Bay all the way to Mc. Mahons Point and let the views take you away. You can have a little picnic there and get the ferry back.

2. Sign-up to social groups on Meetup.com:

Yes it may be a bit awkward to go to a pub and ask the friendliest looking stranger "are you here for the 'xx' meetup?" But it's worth it, and if they say no you could always respond with a "shame - you look like you'd be fun". There are plenty of active social clubs where people are friendly and you get to do fun stuff or take up a hobby. Warning: sometimes you will meet some odd people, but other time you'll meet your next friend for life.

3. Buy cupcakes for the girls at work, with the intent of make friends of course and you just may be invited to their secret squirrel Friday night drinks

4. Scan Facebook and any other type of connections you have for friends-of-friends or friends-of-cousins or cousins-of-friends, you get the gist. Drop them a line, ask for a drink, dinner or coffee. Tell them you've walked by this lovely place that you've wanted to try:
Bistro Papillon on Kent Street.
Small Bar or Balcony on Erskine Street.
Hidden away Mojo bar or Stitch Bar on York Street.
Or pretty much any little gem in Surry Hills (that you've discovered in your exploration stroll from Step 1).

5. Get on board an organised day or short trips:
You do want to really see all those places you came here to see. The Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley are waiting.

Sydney is a stunning city - all you need to do is find that one positive connection and the rest will come like bees to a flower, until one day, you become a little socialite with the know-it-all of everything wonderful this city has to offer.

Note - give yourself at least 3-6 months to establish your Sunday morning brunch circle.

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