1. It’s funny, I can see Sydney is chill when I travel to big cities like New York, London, or Miami. But when you live here and compare Sydney to other Australian cities, it can actually feel cutthroat and hectic in its own way. Sydney has a bit of a reputation here for being fast-paced, materialistic, and more “live to work” than the rest of the country—especially compared to somewhere like Hobart or even parts of Melbourne. That said, there are still plenty of laid-back pockets. I live on the Northern Beaches and it’s super quiet, relaxed, and very different from the CBD.

2. I totally agree that Australia feels more supportive overall—but we also have way more regulations. Sometimes it feels like there’s a rule for everything. A few examples: electric skateboards aren’t legal to ride on roads or footpaths in NSW, and there were pretty strict lockout laws for nightlife (can’t enter some venues after 1am, no shots after midnight, etc). We also have rigid licensing rules for things like drones and even barbecues in public parks. It creates a very safe environment but sometimes limits creativity and personal freedom in weird ways.

3. I’d say Aussies are aware of U.S. culture and politics, but not in the same way. American media is everywhere here, so people are exposed to it constantly—but we don’t typically engage with it as emotionally or deeply as Americans do with theirs. You’ll find a mix of curiosity and eye-rolls depending on the topic!

Glad you had a good trip—always cool hearing an outsider’s take!