I guess it's a natural enough question: as soon as people find out I just arrived in Sydney, they ask where I was previously posted, and then immediately ask "so which do you like more?"
I diplomatically demur, of course, what with the history and ties and use of "bloody" of the countries. Still, there are some notable first impression contrasts between Sydney and London that my beautiful dork mind has picked up:
Weather
baaaaaaaaahahahahaaaaaa!!!!!!
Shopping
Lots of large malls all around the city, but all stores in Sydney close surprisingly early - around 6 p.m. - every weekday and weekend, except for "Long Night" Thursdays, when they close a sobrang nakakapuyat na...9 p.m. Not that London stores kept SM "Midnight Madness" hours or anything, but you could definitely drop in some after office shopping most of the time there.
But honestly, the LLDD-Hyphen-L isn't here yet, so I don't know if any of this is good or bad.
Public Transportation
On the one hand London public transport is more extensive. On the other hand, Sydney public transport is more modern. On the other hand, London has double-decker buses. On the other hand, Sydney has double-decker trains. On the other hand, London has more expensive fares. On the other hand, Sydney doesn't have ride-all-you-can passes. On the other hand, London trains are small and get crowded easily. On the other hand, Sydney buses don't tell you what's the next stop so you can easily get lost. On the other hand, London's TfL website is easier than Sydney's TransportNSW website. On the other hand, London transport workers strike more frequently. On the other hand, many Sydney stations are not even manned. On the other hand, Opal card sounds cooler than Oyster card....whew. This category's more deadlocked than the M-5 on a Bank Holiday, amirite?
Skyline Dominating Landmark
Upon arrival in London, I immediately saw the Eye and thought "this thing can take on the Cloverfield monster." Upon arrival in Sydney, I immediately saw the Westfield Tower and thought "this thing can take down a Kaiju".
(now if the London Eye and the Westfield Tower were to square off, I'm envisioning something like the Tower stabbing the Eye right in the middle, but the Eye quickly spinning circles around the Tower as a counter)
Time it Takes to Run Into a Half-Naked Dude in the Hallway of the Hotel Where I'm Billeted
It wasn't until years into my posting in the U.K. (and on an outreach mission to Glasgow) that I encountered a guy in his undies locked out of his hotel room by his companion.
In Sydney it took, oh...a week.
dude saw me in the hallway, begged to use my bathroom, then thought "screw it, I'm getting on the elevator and heading down to the lobby in my boxers"
Bike Share Scheme
London has its popular
"Boris Bikes" (fronted by Kelly Brook!) that can be docked neatly in stations within the city. Sydney decided to use a "free range" approach to its city bikes, meaning they can be taken almost anywhere and then dumped at will.
It isn't going as planned.
Medyo nagkakalat ang Sydney.
literally
Awesome Station Names
What if I told y'all I worked close to Hyde Park, just past St. James' station, near the shops on Oxford Street, next to Haymarket, and not far from Paddington and Kings Cross station? You'd say "we already know you came from London and are still clinging to a British accent, you pretentious little dork." And I'd reply, "actually, I just name-dropped the places near the Consulate in
Sydney, mate". There is indeed an uncanny number of shared station names, although
London seems to have kept for itself some of the more kick-ass sounding ones like Knightsbridge, Hammersmith, and Gunnersbury, while Sydney has put out some more idyllic imagery with places called Emu Plains, Edgecliff, Cockatoo Island, Vineyard, and Waterfall.
among other idyllic spots
Alcohol Accessibility
In London, I could pop into any corner shop or convenience store any time of the day and come out bearing armfuls of beer, cider, ales et al. I was utterly shocked that that was not the case (har!) in Sydney. I literally stood in front of a 7-11 chiller section for 10 minutes shaking my head and muttering "this cannot be happening." Apparently, due to strict local laws, you have to find special places called "Bottle Shops" before you can get your home drinking on.
the places are very easily identified
Very Pretty Building Housing Expensive Stores and a Woke Memorial
London's Harrods and your high-priced wares and Diana display, meet Sydney's Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and its big-budget stores and Great Australian Clock miniature scenes.
it was a different time
Overly Ornate Curb Fixture
In London, I remember marveling at
some dude (and his groupie) meticulously touching up the paint of one of the iconic black city lampposts. In Sydney, I'm amazed at the elaborate shelter provided to "bubblers" i.e. drinking fountains.
the physics of bending over to drink are...challenging
Limescale Overlord?
Not in Sydney! Which means I'm finally free of Calgon and Brita and all the other tedious water filters and treatments and whatnot
(which is not to say I can't still bungle my laundry water settings and cause the hotel's washing machine to overflow through the floor drain)
(which means Spandau is as relevant as ever)
"I used to be a diplomat
"But now I'm down the laundromat
"They washed my mind and now I finds it haaaard"
The rivalry rages on...
