An American has reignited an ongoing debate about which city is better in Australia after claiming Sydney is superior to Melbourne ‘in every way’.
Drew Mork, who has been living in Melbourne for seven months, said he’d spoken to more than 100 people and was shocked by how strongly locals felt about Sydney.
‘They’re like, “Oh Sydney’s s***. Don’t go there”,’ he said.
‘A city is only as good as its people, and the Melburnians are bitter. No one wants to be happy – it’s exhausting.’
Mr Mork said locals had told him the NSW capital had ‘better beaches’, but the residents were superficial, as they only cared about money and early-morning runs to look after their ‘body and appearance’.
The American argued those were actually among the reasons he found Sydney so appealing.
‘They’re describing it to me like they hate it, but I’m like, that sounds freaking awesome,’ he said.
‘Sydney is unreal. It’s just so much better in every way.’
The personal trainer said he had experienced the worst of Melburnians in his day-to-day life
Mr Mork said his experience visiting Sydney was overwhelmingly positive.
He said the people were ‘so nice’ and the iconic landmarks, like the Sydney Opera House, had to be seen to be believed.
‘There’s not a picture in the world that would do the Opera House justice,’ he said.
Mr Mork claimed the rivalry between the two cities was one-sided, arguing people in Sydney were far more relaxed about Melbourne.
‘If you ask someone in Sydney about Melbourne, they’re like, “Oh Melbourne’s actually nice, but we just like Sydney so much better”.’
He said the appeal of each city came down to personal taste.
‘If you’re 19 and obsessed with drinking until 4am, you probably love Melbourne,’ Mr Mork said.
‘But if you’re a business guy or you’re a fitness person, hey, you’ve got to go to Sydney.’
Mr Mork described the Melbourne–Sydney rivalry as one-sided and said he feels Sydney is ‘so much better’ (stock image)
Mr Mork told Daily Mail Australia he had experienced more direct confrontations with Victorians in the past as well.
The personal trainer said he’d given Melbourne a fair crack and had ‘tried to make (it) work’.
‘I love a lot of things about Melbourne, but I’d rather live somewhere where people aren’t having a sook every day. Walking around in Melbourne as an American is like walking in a field of landmines,’ he said.
‘Everyone in Melbourne says Sydney folk are mean and judgemental but I believe they can’t stand Sydney because people in Sydney are ambitious and tall poppy syndrome is peaking in Melbourne.
‘When I went to Sydney, everyone was so welcoming and nice to me.’
Social media users were divided, with some saying there were benefits and downsides to both cities.
‘As an Aussie, I see it like this: Sydney is a day city, Melbourne is a night city,’ one argued.
‘If you like running, swimming, surfing, coffee outside – basically anything near water in the sun – then Sydney. But, if you like trendy dinners, alleyways, art galleries, small gigs and cosy indoor coffee then go to Melbourne.
‘Personally I think both are great.’
Some Melburnians were defensive about their city and suggested the American take a closer look at his own country.
‘Calling Melbourne a s***hole, but forgetting how s*** your so-called country is. Go back there, nobody [is] stopping you,’ one wrote.
Others defended Sydney, arguing Melburnians were just ‘jealous’.
‘Melbourne is so boring!’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘Sydney is the best. I was born and raised here and never left. Melbourne will always hate on us because they could never be us.’
