Economy

The economy of Sydney was one of the first major differences I noticed between here and big cities within the US. It’s not that there is a total void of chain stores and restaurants, they do exists, but in way lesser numbers. McDonalds (Maccas), Subways, and Starbucks all stood out to me but were much fewer and far between. This leaves a vacuum for smaller businesses to thrive. Instead of people going to get fast food breakfast (Brekky) on a regular basis there is a network of smaller and, usually, family owned cafes. This was really refreshing to me given that the opposite is happening in many places around the United States; a Wal-Mart or other super center opens up and drives local, family owned businesses out of town. It allows for a more diverse set of choices and attempts to keep the, generally very high Sydney, food prices at a more competitive level. However, even as I write, the first couple Costcos and Wal-Marts are making their way into the Australian marketplace. Along with this, McDonalds and Hungry Jacks (Burger King) are driving their prices down and allowing people to charge with no minimum. Just as an aside, I had a hard time getting used to the “cash culture” that is Australia. It seems that no one, at least in my age group, carries cash around in the States. In Australia, however, using a charge card is generally not the norm; there are usually percentage taxes added to the bill and large minimums to even use a card.

On the larger side of the economic status, there are jobs! People aren’t worried about making a living and it doesn’t seem to permeate every decision that individuals make. In the States it seems that, increasingly, choices are made (have to be made) solely on getting a job. You can’t study your passion, move where you want, or be what you want to be. You have to get that income. In Australia Uni isn’t universal; people chose to go to Uni if there family is a bit more affluent or if they have a specific career path in mind that requires Uni study…NOT because they have to in order to score a job that will support them and their family. One can successfully get through high school and maybe a short trade or skill school and land a job that will allow for a comfortable lifestyle. The minimum wage in New South Wales is around 20 dollars an hour. This is astronomical compared to the almost 8 dollar an hour minimum wage in the States. That being said, everything is way more expensive around Sydney. This is a direct product of Sydney being a major city, like the price hikes in New York City and Chicago, but also that the wages are set at a higher level, as we see with the minimum wage. It makes it much harder for us American Uni students to come and have a good time; the beers were almost $19 for a six pack!