The reality of being broke in Sydney

 The reality is, it isn’t uncommon.

But actually, I’m not here to moan about how expensive Sydney is, or actually how broke I am, but rather a state of mind. You can interpret “I will never be broke in Sydney again” in two ways:

1) Yay! I will never be broke in Sydney again - can’t wait to get through this tough period, and back home, comfortable and rent-free

2) I will never be broke again in Sydney. I have to live for every moment, and realise that despite the financial pressure, this is one of the most amazing experiences someone can have - I should feel incredibly grateful to be here, and to have had the support from loved ones to do this.

How you feel isn’t always a choice, when you travel - at least because of how social media portrays it - you always want to be happy, and if not be happy, look happy. What I want you to remember is that, while I am not asking you to post the days when you’re upset, just recognise them - it is part of the travel experience, and it shapes us.

You won’t sit down at the table when you are home, maybe like me beside the bar top in your local pub, and discuss the nights you cried about money, or that situationship that failed. Nah, you won’t do that. But you will one day look back at the tough times and think: “I got through that. Me. I did it. I faced the challenges, solo, tens of thousands of miles from my support system. Me.”

For that, you will be proud. Here is my journey in Sydney, and why I will never be broke in Sydney again.


Sydney so far

It started in Kensington, September 2025. Myself, having lived in Ocean Shores - just North of Byron Bay - since June & my mate, Declan, who’d just moved over here. Both of us fresh to Sydney, with open minds, not sure of what to expect.

Kensington was a temporary move. A small three-bedroom airbnb in a small student area, myself & Dec took on a room for the week while we desperately searched for both work, and somewhere to live longer-term. In short, it served its purpose, and sure enough we both found ourselves a new home in Lidcombe - inner-west of Sydney - and on the cusp of several job interviews.

Lidcombe has been a place to stay. Not a lot going on. But it is safe, the room is pretty cheap, I am living with my best mate, (and a French guy that never does the pots, but that’s besides the point). Eitherway, from a living perspective, where we live is easy. Some food joints, big Chinese population so lots of cool little shops & food places, and the Cherry on top? A train station on our doorstep. Twenty five minutes to the CBD, nice and easy.

Work? Yeah, it has been challenging. My first job since moving to not just Sydney, but Australia - I’ll get onto why that is another. I love the place, the people are great, I guess it is a new industry, new skills to pickup, just trying to gather some confidence. We will deep-dive into this as the blogs roll in.


What to take away from these blogs

This is just the introduction.

What I want you to take away is a raw, as little-edited as possible account of my time travelling not only Sydney, but Australia in general. Might sound strange given ‘Sydney’ is in the title, but the purpose is again, mentality.

How do you view challenges? Do you get worked up like me? Do you call your mum to ask for money, maybe have a little cry? Yeah, same.

This is a real account of travelling. The reality of running out of money. The reality of enjoying some of the best beaches, and sights the world has to offer. The reality of being an adult, doing things solo, and finding out what life is about, and how it works.

As much as this is an account for you, it is almost a diary for me. A place I can share vulnerabilities, things I haven’t enjoyed, but more importantly - and I hope as much as possible - the many amazing, beautiful things this country has to offer, written in a way that represents exactly how I would say it to you, right to your face, over a nice cold glass of Great Northern (for my English mates, it’s an Aussie beer.)

Enjoy. And just a quick one: I’m not asking for much, just tell a mate you had a read, and drop us a follow. If you want to chat, drop me an email - using the contact page of the site - lets talk.

See you every Monday morning - 10am Australia Easter Standard Time (AEST),

Jamie

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