Sydney Voted #10 City with the Best Quality of Life

Well, I can't hide the fact that I'm made my fair share of complaints in the past about living in Sydney but I will say that more than 50% of them came down to the cost of living (which is really just one complaint). However, there is little to complain about when it comes to the quality of life here. In fact, Sydney was announced today as the #10 city in the world with the best quality of life.

So what's great about Sydney? Here are my top 10:

1. The beaches. I don't spend enough time at the beach but when I do go, I'm always grateful for the clean sand and water, for outdoor showers, for life guards, for the Cancer Council who hand out free sunblock, and for the wonderful sun time! It's so much nicer than Alki Beach in Seattle!

Manly beach in the late afternoon.

2. The food. I have traveled a lot but I still maintain that Sydney is one of the best eating cities in the world. Within a 10 minute walk from my house, I have access to Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indian, Sri Lankan, Turkish, Lebanese, Japanese, Mexican, Brazillian, organic home food, vegan Chinese, Italian, Greek, French, and a billion gelato and fro-yo shops! And the seafood!!! *fainting* I am never in want for a gastronomic adventure!

This lovely creation is called Bingsu!

3. The weather. It's sunny 227 days of the year here which means I get just enough rain for my "Seattle Fix" but more than enough sun to cure any grey-day blues! Also conducive for picnics in the dog park (a very popular Sunday activity in my neighborhood)!

A spring picnic in the dog park!

4.  Healthcare. As a resident here, I have EXCELLENT social healthcare. I'm always bulk billed so I never have to pay anything. Contrary to popular belief, there are no waits and no lines. No co-pays, no deductions. I just flash my card, and it's done. When Jeremy had his appendix out, all he had to do was sign a paper. No big deal. And I have a wonderful, excellent, very kind doctor who takes good care of me.

I don't really consult with Dr Candy.

5. Cheap Airfares. I love living here because it's much easier to travel! We can fly to Melbourne or Brisbane for under $200 round trip (each), to New Zealand, Fiji, or Vanuatu for $400, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Camboida, Bali) for $500. The rest of the world is pretty expensive but at least I can get myself a budget holiday for cheap! And it's getting cheaper! A new budget airline called Scoot from Singapore is doing one way flights for $140 from Sydney!

Catching a train at Sydney's Central Train Station.

6. I get paid a living wage. In Australia, there are actual liveable minimum wages so nobody is forced to live below the poverty line. We certainly don't live in the lap of luxury but we're not living hand to mouth. We have enough to save, to buy clothes when we need them, to go on outings, and to eat out every now and then. I feel so privileged to have what I do here.

Looking for a good read at the Sydney Uni annual book fair.

7. There are things to do! On any given weekend, we can ride the ferry, kayak, hike, bike, roller blade in the park, picnic, see museums, go to the beach, rock climb, or cruise cafes! Earlier this year, Jeremy and I made a list of 30 things we want to do in Sydney--a good exercise in consciously filling our lives with happiness and "adventure at home."

Many beach on a particularly beautiful day!

8. Sydney is very multicultural. I love that I have friends from all over the world, from different cultures, traditions, and countries! I sometimes find it hard to make friends with Australians but I always feel at home with other immigrants--it's nice to be in the company of similar people!

The City 2 Surf race is the largest in the world with more than 80,000 runners!

9. The harbour. I just have to say that the harbour is beautiful. I love being out on the water, seeing the city from a new perspective, baking in the sun and enjoying the fresh sea air! Riding the ferry is the best and being out among the sailboats is absolutely refreshing!

The first day of Spring 2012 on the harbour!

10. The sunsets. Australia really is just a hands-down beautiful country! The sunsets here are amazing. The most beautiful and intense colours so consistently and spectacularly displayed every night.

Taken from the roof of my apartment building.

I think I'm learning to love life here. All photos come from my personal Instagram collection.