Why Sydneysiders say the city is NOT the best place to live - after it was voted the greatest in the world
- Sydney voted best city to live in 'global poll'
- But locals have expressed doubt over survey
Sydneysiders have lashed out after the city was voted the best in the world in a global survey.
The poll, which surveyed 15,000 people in 20 different countries last month, rated Sydney as the top city in the world to live and fifth 'best city brand' overall behind London, New York, Paris and LA.
The survey, conducted by Brand Finance, noted that Sydney was a desirable location for retirement, ranking second overall in this category.
But many locals have blasted the survey, claiming Sydney (pictured) is 'one of the worst places to live' because of high rents, poor public transport, traffic-clogged roads, lack of night life and the 'nanny state' culture
Sydney was voted the best city in the world to live in a recent poll of 15,000 people in 20 different countries
Sydneysiders have rejected the ranking on social media, bemoaning the city's high rents, poor public transport, traffic-clogged roads, lack of night life and the 'nanny state' culture.
While the city may be attractive for boomers and older people with wealth, many younger Sydneysiders said they felt it was too expensive.
'Sydney is the worst place to live,' one wrote on Facebook.
'Over populated, worst rental crisis in history, nothing to do at night and if you do you have to fork our your own kidney. Let's be real! There are nicer cities in the world.'
Another said it was the best city in the world if you turned a blind eye to the 'train system, airport, nightlife, traffic, toll roads, house prices, wages, red tap and cleanliness'.
Sydney is famed for its many beaches (pictured) and the supposed work/life balance locals can enjoy
But many locals have criticised the city's lack of night life and public transport system
Another frustrated user added: 'How does it keep receiving this title when it’s a ghost town that goes to bed at 10pm?!'
Lynnette Belivanis said she was 'born and bred' in Sydney but vehemently disagreed with the poll, questioning what it was based on.
'Definitely not on the cost of housing,' she wrote.
'You have to be earning a three-digit salary to afford a mortgage that you'll be paying off the rest of your life, and it's only getting worse (my poor kids).
'The transport system sucks. The night-life has no life. Restaurants close at 10... if not earlier. Bars are not far behind. The cost of living in general keeps increasing with wages slow to catch up.'
Facebook users reacted with incredulity to the poll, listing all the problems which make living in Sydney difficult
Another user claimed their were limited things to do in the city
Tas Mylonas said she, too, had lived in Syndey all her life and was equally unimpressed.
'A nanny city - yes, a city full of stress heads - yes,' she wrote.
'I travel weekly every year and it's Melbourne, Adelaide then Perth, Sydney is way behind them.'
Melbourne ranked as fourth best city to live globally and the 16th best overall in the poll.
Meanwhile, Perth was listed as a 'hidden jewel' in the index, ranking 16th for 'liveability' and 11th for nice weather.
Another user suggested the poll had 'surveyed 15000 real estate agents', in a jokey reference to Sydney's savage rental market.
It comes as a growing number of fed-up residents are deciding to ditch overpriced Sydney for good amid the city's worsening housing crisis.
Figures show 129,000 residents have left New South Wales for another state since in the year to 2022.
With 83,000 new arrivals from interstate, Australian Bureau of Statistic data shows NSW experienced a net loss of almost 38,000.
Sydney's median house prices stand at $1.23million, putting them beyond the reach of even above-average income earners and forcing many to live a long way from the city centre.
Meanwhile, Sydney has overtaken Canberra as the most expensive city to rent in Australia, with a median of $699 per week in the past quarter.
Soaring rents have prompted a growing number of Sydneysiders to start a new life in other states, with many deciding to settle in sunny Queensland.
After living in Sydney her entire life, Lilly, 26, finally grew tired of its exorbitant prices and decided to up and move to Brisbane in 2018.
After living in Sydney her whole life, Lilly, 26 (pictured), decided to move to Brisbane in 2018. She was able to purchase a property after just three years after having 'no money' in Sydney
Lilly had been paying $550 a week to live in a unit in Alexandria, in Sydney's inner south, while working for a PR company in Potts Point.
It took her an hour each day to commute to and from work, where she noticed the environment was becoming increasingly competitive and stressful.
'The cost of living became unsustainable,' she recalled.
Lilly knew she wanted to live somewhere warmer and moved to Brisbane, where she knew life would be more affordable.
Upon landing, she noticed an immediate change in her mood. Strangers smiled and said hello on the street - something she had 'never' experienced in Sydney.
Lilly believes Brisbane has a lot of perks, including good jobs, warmer weather and a better work-life balance.
Aged 25, she was able to save enough to buy a one-bed apartment in 2021 for $340,000.
'Leaving Sydney, I never thought I would own,' she said.
