So last month I completely lost it at work – manager breathing down my neck, deadlines piling up, you know the drill. Around 2am slurping instant noodles, I just thought “screw this” and decided to move my whole life to Australia. Sounds crazy right? But my cousin did it years ago and never looked back.
How The Hell Do You Choose Between NSW And SA?
Started googling like a madman. First thing that hit me? Sydney prices made my eyes water. Checked property sites and nearly choked:
- NSW Rentals: Saw cockroach-infested shoeboxes going for $600/week downtown
- SA Housing: Actual houses with backyards near Adelaide CBD for $450
- Wildcard: Friend told me Newcastle outskirts have cheaper spots but transport sucks
Printed out cost of living tables from some government site. My coffee stained notes showed SA wins hands down – except for that stupid “wine tax” they tack on.
Job Hunt Rollercoaster
Updated my LinkedIn at 4am claiming “immediate relocation”. Recruiters started pinging by breakfast – all from Sydney. One guy actually laughed when I asked about remote work: “Mate if you’re not in the CBD coffee line by 8, you’re invisible”.
Meanwhile Adelaide contacts were weirdly chill. Got three legit offers that week for roles paying 15% less than Sydney… but then saw a terraced house for rent opposite botanical gardens costing half my current place.
Weather Wars And Reality Checks
My British brain thought “Australia = constant beach weather”. Nearly booked NSW until my cousin video called sweaty and miserable: “Humidity here makes your clothes mold in the wardrobe!”
Checked climate data – turns out Adelaide summers are dry heat (bearable) while Sydney’s humidity averages 65%. Also found:
- SA gets proper cold winters (7°C mornings)
- NSW beaches lure you but jellyfish close them half summer
- Adelaide tap water tastes like crap but you get used to it
The Unexpected Dealbreaker
Was almost packing for Adelaide when I noticed the visa fine print. SA wants proof of $25k savings plus job contract. NSW? Show up with working holiday visa and pray. That weekend I drank too much coffee and applied for both.
Two rejections later (thanks to my botched tax returns), I’m still stuck in my home country. But hey – now I know which suburbs have fiber internet. Small wins.
