What do you think is the worst part about living in Australia? Locals share their confessions

Maan · 2025-08-21T14:13:00+1000

Australia has always been nicknamed the 'lucky country'.

Yet even in paradise, locals admit life Down Under comes with its frustrations.

Some confessions might make you nod in agreement—or sigh at the irony.

A discussion on a popular Australian living thread recently sparked a flurry of complaints about life in the sunburnt country.

It began when a woman asked fellow locals to share 'the worst part about living [here]'.

'I see a lot of posts about the best things in Australia, but what is your least favourite thing about living [here]?' she wrote.

'Personally, I hate that barely any (non-Australian) musicians come here,' she added.

The most repeated grievance centred on Australia’s geographic isolation.

'It honestly is a long way to go to see the world.'

Anonymous user

'I can't just up and drive to another country,' another user lamented.

For those who travelled internationally for work or to visit family, the distance proved particularly frustrating.

'I travel a lot and couldn't justify any more long haul flights just to get home,' one person admitted.

'[It] was just too much to handle.'

'Australia is in the worst location for people that just wanna go somewhere new and different for the weekend,' another commenter said, noting they had since 'moved to Europe'.

Travel costs from Australia

Economy flights to Europe/US: $1,500-$3,000 return

Business class: $5,000-$11,000 return

Domestic flights can sometimes be cheaper than buses

It takes five hours to fly from Sydney to Perth

Many seniors find long-haul travel increasingly difficult

The inverse issue also surfaced—international visitors were often reluctant to make the journey to Australia.

't's a long way to go for the world to see us,' one user wrote.

'We miss out on so many bands, and when they do come, they only visit three cities.'

Some argued that distance was a double-edged sword—what made Australia isolated also contributed to its appeal.

'The worst thing is also the best thing—we are so far away from so many places,' one person reflected.

The distance ensured a quiet, peaceful, and uncrowded environment, yet it came with its drawbacks.

Several commenters criticised the country's nightlife and cultural offerings.

'In comparison to a lot of other countries, nightlife here is pretty boring and museums are kind of meh,' one wrote.

'People go to work, drive home, and watch tv. There's no community or "Joie de Vivre",' another added.

Financial pressures were another recurring theme, with many noting Australia’s high cost of living.

'Housing cost s***,' one user bluntly stated.

'[T]he housing market is broken here, but I do like the weather,' another wrote.

Did you know?

Housing frustrations vs happiness In 2024, only 22% of Australians were satisfied with their housing situation, while 76% were dissatisfied—illustrating a level of frustration unseen in most wealthy economies [14], yet Australia still ranks in the top 10 happiest countries globally.

'Cost of living is also obscene. Cars, houses, food, utilities, fuel, insurance, coffee, restaurants, and damn near everything else,' a third commenter reflected.

Even the local wildlife drew complaints, with bugs named as a nuisance by several residents.

'Flies, mozzies, spiders, beetles, wasps, and the greatest number of ants I've ever seen,' one person wrote.

'Sydney's cockroach problem (partly caused by the high humidity which is another worst thing about living here) is absolutely awful,' another added.

What This Means For You

Many Australians find their country’s geographic isolation frustrating, making travel abroad lengthy and limiting the number of international visitors who come to see us. The high cost of living and ever-increasing housing pressures add another layer of stress for locals trying to make ends meet.

Major cities are often criticised for underwhelming nightlife and cultural offerings, leaving some feeling there’s less to do compared with overseas. On top of that, Australia’s unique wildlife—including insects and other pests—can create daily annoyances.

These challenges can feel particularly relevant, whether it’s planning family visits overseas, managing finances on a fixed income, or simply wanting a more vibrant social life while navigating the quirks of life Down Under.

Australia’s distance from the rest of the world can feel like both a blessing and a curse—what do you think is the hardest part of living Down Under?

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