Sydney and Melbourne have always had a rivalry. Sydney people are supposed to have to culture, refinement, and the power. Melbourne was considered the second city with it's manufacturing and farm regions. Notice I didn't say culture or refinement. That's the old rivalry.... Still there, but not as pronounced as it once was.

I prefer Melbourne for it's options, and yes, it's culture of pubs, fine dining, exhibits, ethnic diversity, etc... You're quickly able to shoot off to the Dandenong Ranges and Otways (rain forests), head off to Apollo Bay, Lorne, Great Ocean Road (surfing, hiking), the weather is generally slightly cooler (especially in winter) and employment prospects are good. The universities in Melbourne are well known, and the price of accomodation affordable. Public transport is also a consideration... The train system is reasonably quick.

Keep researching, but in the end, you'll probably flip a coin (unless you have mates in one of the cities) Sydneysiders will probably tell you different things about Melbourne..heh

Hope this helps.

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I an American living in Australia. I married my Aussie in 1985 and have lived here since 1987. doesn't 17 years fly by. It will help you that you've lived other places. Australia was alot different when I moved here. Before Cheap calling cards (you can get them for as little as 4. cents a minute to the US from the post office), before emailing, & almost before breakfast at McDonalds. Still, Australia can have a small town sort of feel. The shopping malls still close at 5:30pm except for late night shopping on Thursday night. As for the people. Australia seems to be a generation behind America in the battle of the sexes. I'm 41 and it was an adjustment coming here with the attitudes about gender roles. When I travelled back to the US to see family on my own, I was asked by people here if my husband was going to LET me go. I didn't know how to answer them. However I think the younger generation is alot better. My age group tend to socialize with gender separation. If you go to a BBQ it will take about 15 minutes for male and females to separate. Some Australian men give the impression, unless your dating material, you couldn't have anything interesting to say. Hopefully this won't apply to you. As the larger cities are better, and I live in Queensland which is known to be a large small town.
Getting used to different brands, different ways of doing things is frustrating, you think of something you want to do or get and it doesn't exist. The illusion is that the countries are similar. Things aren't much different, but everything is alittle different.
The biggest issue is how close are you to your family. It's a long expensive plane trip. Which becomes more expensive when you have kids. My family became more important to me after I had kids. So we've spent alot of money travelling back and forth.
Canberra is a pretty city, pretty cold in the winter but nice and close to the snow.
I don't mean to be all negative. there are great things about Australia you wil enjoy. there is a online USA foods place to get some of your foods you'll miss. It's in melbourne www.usafoods.com.au. If you're ever on the Gold Coast feel free to look me up. We celebrate Thanksgiving every year. Anything in particular you want to know just ask.

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Hi Cinders... congrats on getting into the course.
In response to your Sydney vs. Melbourne question - there is a lot going for both cities. I'm a Sydney girl (although currently expat in France), but prior to moving, I visited Melbourne at least once a year just for fun and always have a great time there.
Sport (the watching of it, at least, if not playing of it) is huge in oz. I think they are more fanatical about it in Melbourne.

Dining out is pretty much a sport of its own in both cities, and the food and variety of cuisine is brilliant. Both cities are not far from wine growing regions and mountains and countryside.

Sydney is way more expensive than Melbourne. Real estate prices in particular in Sydney are ridiculous (either buying or renting). The transport network in Melbourne seems to me to be more efficient. The trams are great. Sydney is currently experiencing (and has been since the Olympics) some serious problems with trains, traffic and buses (take a look at the www.smh.com.au Campaign for Sydney to get an insider's perspective). I also find Sydney to be a bit more pretentious than Melbourne - I think Sydneysiders take themselves a bit too seriously.

Having said that though, Sydney has better, more easily accessible beaches. Sydney has the most beautiful harbour in the world (poor Melbourne just has a river). The average temps in Sydney are warmer (Melbourne is bloody cold in winter).

Good luck in oz!

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Hi Cinders,
You may have already decided which city is more for you.
Accomodation is more expensive in Sydney but if you move to the sub s for either city it is much the same.
For a young person without family I think Sydney has more to offer but once here you can see both and maybe get chance to do a yr in each!
Good luck and have lots of fun.
Jennifer.

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