New York Vs Sydney

[diond]

I know this may seem a strange question to ask, but what are the differences between the two cities? I've been lucky enough to go to NY twice and never thought I would love the place as much as I do. To me, NY has that great vibrant city feel but manages to ooze that homeliness feeling about the place too.

I considered travelling to Sydney before I went back to New York, but changed my mind as I didn't know quite what to expect.

I know that the question is rather emotive and subjective but it would interesting to see if a few of you have been to both places and whether there is any common opinions in their comparisons.

Cheers

 

[Maltin]

In my opinion, Sydney has much more greenery, more wide open spaces, is closer to the beach, has far fewer people, has a beautiful harbour, has more backpackers (at least as a %), has less cars, possibly better weather, has more British type food, is probably closer to areas with different landscapes eg the Blue Mountains.

New York is closer to other major conurbations, has much better cinemas and theatre choices, possibly better shopping options, possibly cheaper, closer to the UK.

As with most cities, I don't think that it is that easy to compare one with another as most have good points and bad points. I really like New York and was impressed with Sydney but in a different way.

If you get the chance, I would recommend going to Sydney. Not knowing what to expect is one of the good things about travelling.

 

[spanglechick]

Sydney is more 'suburban', even the centre. If you're used to London and love NY for being London squared, Sydney may feel a little diluted. But it is lovely and if you can afford it, you should go. There's a lovely atmosphere, much less intense. It actually feels like a city on holiday. To me.

I prefer NYC - that's where I have and will keep going back to, but I have great memories of Sydney.

 

[Reno]

I've lived in Sydney and been to NYC many times and the two cities could not be more different. New York is mostly city centre, a proper culturally vibrant city where you can explore forever because it's so huge. It is full of amazing architecture, art and nightlife.

Sydney has a tiny city centre which you can cross by foot in a couple of hours and endless suburbia which is of little interest to a visitor. It's great if you like a laid back beach holiday. The Australian countryside around it is stunning, with not a plant or animal you'd see anywhere else and if you go to Sydney you should also get out of the city. Culturally Sydney sucks. What happened in London a couple of years ago eventually makes its way there in a watered down, half-hearted way. Sydney's city centre is full of really ugly architecture, thanks to corruption and scams which made a small number of people very rich, however its harbour location is stunning.

Sydney is a great place to visit for a couple of weeks if you also travel around a bit and don't regard it as a city holiday only. New York can be endlessly explored as a city.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I'd agree with what's been said generally. Sydney is a great example of why Australian cities score really highly in those 'quality of life' surveys they do from time to time. It's a really fun, easy place to be, great to chill out, nice scenery etc. For a holiday you can combine the best bits of a beach holiday with the advantages of being in a big city. It doesn't have the energy of New York though or nearly as much stuff going on. New York is a better 'City holiday' type place.

I think they're both great places though.

 

[miniGMgoit]

I'd say that Sydney and New York are probably incomparable really. Sydney is rather bland once you've got over the beauty of the harbor, which I'm sure could take a while. I'd describe Sydney to be more like Los Angeles. Think sports cars, blond bimbos, ripped bodies and so forth. Very little "culture" or "community". Melbourne is a bit more comparable to New York although no where near in the same league. I've seen Melbourne change quite dramatically over the past few years. It's become way more "hip" than I remember it being. Lots more interesting things going on now. Of course many people would say that it's always been like this, however in my 5 years there before moving up here I found it dull and bland. Since being away it's become much more interesting. Looking forward to moving back next year.

 

[peterkro]

New York,world city,could spend a lifetime exploring,much in common with London.Sydney,urban sprawl writ large,much in common with Los Angeles and Auckland.

 

[Manter]

I've lived (and holidayed) in NYC and worked (and holidayed) in Sydney. Love them both but as people here have said, they are totally different. I suspect Sydney is more 'liveable' as a city, it is certainly full of wide open spaces and amazing views, clean, friendly, relaxed, a lovely place to wander round and use as a base for exploring. Museums are ok, wider cultural life is not up to that much (sorry Sydney) but loads of interesting outlying districts to wander, have brunch in, look at flea markets, go to bars etc- well worth a visit.
NYC is urban life on speed- just a totally different experience. If big/loud/mad is your thing, try Tokyo instead of Sydney: but worth giving Sydney a go on its own merits, IMO.
I adore NYC, Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, Budapest, Tokyo, Hong Kong etc but all for their own reasons- every city has its own personality and you have to approach it with an open mind, explore, be willing to get a bit lost, and generally absorb it. Sydney is no different

 

[markb28970]

I'm a Londoner who moved to Sydney a year ago. Having been to NY about 10 times, they are not really comparable. NY is massive, it is continuous (areas blend in to the next and have community). In Sydney, areas of interest are not situated next to each other. There is a lack of big city buzz here, the centre is small, areas are like islands and population can feel sparse. Some areas (Newtown/Enmore/Bondi/Surry Hills) have a big city feel to them, others (Esrkineville, Glebe) more villagey. Beaches and natural beauty abound, the city is liveable certainly, life is easy and pay is good, optimism is everywhere (along with rampant capitalism and consumerism everyone has cars, apple products and designer clothes). I never feel under stress here - although I live in Redfern which is not posh but very close to the CBD. Also the melting pot feel of NY (and London) isn't really the same here - it's primarily white Australian/Asian (Chinese). If I was being brutally honest, if it wasn't for the financial oppsortunities, Australian partner and weather (20 degrees in the middle of Winter) I'd be heading back to Brixton Hill (which I undoubtedly will in the next few years).

 

[ChrisFilter]

Melbourne is a much, much better city than Sydney. Go there, if anything.

 

[karam]

Let me suggest a different aspect for you to consider...Actually it's more expensive to live in Sydney than New York and that why i go with New York also it’s an American dream city and it has higher skyscrapers and buildings not like Sydney..........

 

[Dr Smith]

NYC is horrible in many ways, but I can't stand living anywhere else, the ratio of fools to intelligent persons become very wide once you leave the city.

Sydney? I have no idea. Tasmania sounds like alright, though. Fucking hide down there till the end, no one would find you.

 

[gabi]

Sydney's a shithole. New york's not. That's the biggest difference.

 

[JTG]

Melbourne is a much, much better city than Sydney. Go there, if anything.

QFT

 

[Idris2002]

Sydney's a shithole. New york's not. That's the biggest difference.

In fairness, that opera house will be lovely once they have it finished.