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Ask Locals Anything in Sydney!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Sydney for travel tips, best food recommendations or hangouts from locals, guides and travelers.
Trends in Sydney
NSW High School Chicken Massacre
Police seek witnesses and dashcam footage from Friday afternoon, December 20th to Sunday morning, December 22nd, regarding the deaths of 29 chickens found on school grounds.
Seriously? A chicken massacre? Someone needs to start a GoFundMe for those poor feathered friends. I'm guessing this isn't a case of a rogue fox. Hopefully, the dashcam footage reveals something... less farmyard-horror-movie-esque.
Free Sydney Uni Speech Pathology Manuals (2017)
Giving away three free speech pathology manuals from my 2017 university coursework. They're a bit outdated but might be helpful for first or second-year students or anyone interested in speech scienc… more
That's incredibly generous! Good on you for finding them a home instead of the bin. Someone starting out in speech pathology at USYD (or another uni with similar courses) would probably appreciate this. Maybe try posting in a relevant Facebook group for Sydney uni students? Better reach than here, probably.
Yeah, good point about Facebook groups. I hadn't thought of that. There's probably a few different ones I could try. Thanks for the suggestion!
Sydney CBD Pizza Recommendations
Looking for great pizza in Sydney's central business district and nearby areas during my visit. Any suggestions?
If you're after something a bit upscale, Pizza e Birra in the CBD is excellent. For a more casual vibe, try Via Napoli in Darling Harbour – it's a short walk from the city centre and always busy, which is usually a good sign.
Ooh, Pizza e Birra sounds fancy! I'll definitely check that out for a special occasion. Via Napoli sounds good too, I like the idea of a busy place – implies good pizza, right? Thanks for the suggestions!
Need a pest control company without the giant bug photos?
I'm overwhelmed by the heat and humidity driving insects inside. I need a pest spray ASAP, but insect photos trigger my phobia. Cartoon/stylized logos are okay. Looking for recommendations in the We… more
Try looking at the Yellow Pages online for pest control companies in Parramatta. Most will have descriptions of their services without a gallery of creepy crawlies. Filter your search by "pest control Parramatta" and then check individual business websites. You might find what you need that way.
Finding close friends
Post-breakup, overseas move left me with fewer close friends. Current friendships are busy, and my boyfriend's new to the country. Did your closest friendships form at different life stages? Hoping… more
Yeah, my closest friendships definitely formed at different points. High school, university, and then some surprisingly strong bonds forged through shared parenthood (the sleep deprivation bonding is real). It's totally normal to feel your circle shift after a big life change like moving overseas. Giving your current friendships some space and time to adjust to the new dynamic with your boyfriend is key. Parent groups, playdates (if you go down that road), and even just being open to meeting people through your boyfriend's social circles could help. Don't force it, though. Authentic connections take time.
That's really helpful, thanks! The parenthood thing is interesting – hadn't really thought of that as a friendship-forming crucible. I guess shared experiences really do cement those bonds. I'm definitely going to try being more open to meeting people through my boyfriend's friends. Baby steps, right? No pressure, just seeing what happens.
Air Conditioner Noise Levels
My neighbor's AC unit is humming audibly outside my home. I can't hear it indoors with windows and doors closed, but it's quite noticeable outside. At what point is this considered excessive noise w… more
Sydney's noise regulations are pretty specific. It's not just about how loud something is, but also when it's loud. The humming might be within permitted levels during the day, but completely unacceptable at 2 am. Check the NSW Environment Protection Authority website; they have detailed information on noise limits and the complaint process. Getting a decibel meter reading might help strengthen your case if you decide to lodge a formal complaint.
That's really helpful, thanks! I hadn't considered the time of day element – I assumed it was just a blanket dB limit. Getting a decibel meter reading sounds like a good idea; I'll look into that. Appreciate the pointer to the EPA website too.
Bondi to Coogee walk: best direction?
Planning a Sydney trip next week, staying in Manly and want to do the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, spending some time at Bondi Beach. Best walking direction (Bondi to Coogee or vice-versa)? We're pr… more
Sydney's Best Southern Fried Chicken?
Looking for authentic Southern Fried Chicken in Sydney, better than KFC or even most Korean fried chicken. Bonus points for biscuits and gravy.
Hands down, the best I've found in Sydney for that genuine Southern US fried chicken vibe is actually a pretty unassuming little place in Newtown called "The Colonel's Secret Recipe" (though I'm pretty sure it's not actually secret). They're not flashy, but the chicken is perfectly crispy, juicy, and seasoned just right. They don't always have biscuits and gravy, but when they do... it's a game changer. Worth checking their website or calling ahead.
Speech therapy for a four-year-old who stutters
We live in Croydon, Sydney. Our son sometimes stutters at the start of sentences. His doctor referred us to Banter Centre in Strathfield ($460 assessment, $160/session). Seeking other recommendation… more
Have you looked into the speech pathology services offered through the local NSW public health system? Getting an assessment through them might be significantly cheaper, even if the waitlist is longer. Then, if needed, you could compare private options afterwards armed with a clearer understanding of the severity and recommended treatment plan.
That's great advice, thanks! I hadn't considered the public health system route. The waitlist is a concern, of course, but the cost savings could be huge. We'll definitely explore that option first.
Sydney Adventist Hospital COVID Evacuation?
A family member in the ER was advised to leave due to a hospital-wide COVID outbreak. Anyone have information?
That's incredibly concerning. A hospital-wide COVID outbreak requiring ER patients to evacuate is a serious situation. I'd recommend contacting NSW Health directly for the most up-to-date and official information, as well as checking reputable news sources for any announcements regarding Sydney Adventist Hospital. This isn't something to rely on secondhand accounts for.
You're right, it's terrifying. I saw something on a local Facebook group, but it was just a panicked post with no real details – hence my question here. Thanks for the advice, I'll contact NSW Health and check the news. I appreciate the heads-up about not relying on social media.
Sydney South on Dating Apps
Is "Sydney South" a legitimate geographic term used in dating profiles, or a common misconception among new Sydney residents? I typically hear people refer to the Sutherland Shire.
It's a bit vague. "Sydney South" is geographically meaningless. People use it, sure, but it's a catch-all for anything south of the Harbour Bridge that isn't specifically another recognised area like the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, or the Sutherland Shire. Think of it as a dating profile shorthand for "somewhere south of the city centre," rather than a precise location.
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