I'm thinking about moving to Sydney, Australia when I'm older; what exactly is it like down there?

You have a wonderful dream. We have some very strict rules regarding migration and if you wish to migrate here permanently then you will need the right skills. What skills are in demand varies, but teaching especially High School Maths and Science, and nursing and other medical are always in high demand. These are really the best avenues to migrate here. If you are curious as to the current list I'll provide a link to our Immigration website and you should be able to find what you need there.

What I'd suggest is to first take a trip here, either as a general tourist, or when you turn 18 you can obtain a Working Holiday visa allowing you work and play for 12 months. Another option, if you can afford it, is to study here. Education is our biggest export these days, but it'll cost quite a lot more than college in the US.

Climate wise Sydney would be similar to LA or San Francisco, minus the earthquakes. We are generally laid back and love our sport so if you are an outdoors and/or sporty type person you'll fit right in. The city has everything you'd expect in a major city, movies, theatre, museums, nightlife e.t.c. Sydney has an extensive, if flawed, public transport system. It's not perfect but 900000 people per day can't find it that bad. Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia and is pretty on par with San Fran, possibly a little cheaper. In 5 - 10 years who can say though.

Good luck and I hope you can realise your dream someday.

Immigration: http://www.immi.gov.au/

Depending on where you live in the States, you'll find Australia is very hot in the summer. Constant days above 100 degrees is typical. Sydney specifically is very nice but also very busy. 4.5 million people live in Sydney and it's surrounds and it's very multicultural.

If you're a sport lover, don't take yourself too seriously, love the beach and outdoors then I suspect you'll fit in fine.

But can I give you a heads up? Move to Melbourne instead. It's way better. But I'm a Melbournian so I have to say that :)

you have a case of the "white human beings issues." i've got in no way been to the two and am very attracted to the two. For the country itself i'd quite be in Australia. yet once you're living in London you could hop on a custom and be midway around the continent with the aid of the top of the day, so the perk of having the flexibility to circulate to amsterdam, paris, monaco, milan, rome, venice, vienna, florence, palermo, athens, prague (the main beautiful city on the earth) warsaw, berlin, bavaria, scandanavian fjords, st. petersburg, moscow, morocco, barcelona, ibiza, the working of the bulls in san fermin, holy crap I dont think of its a communicate anymore. yet Australia would be astonishing too. in fact i'd guess in the journey that your an american transitioning into yet another lifestyle it would be extremely undemanding to do interior the outback. Plus i've got in no way met an unpleasant australians. they seem to be a lot friendlier and much less douche(y) than the brits.

Well I'm 17 and I have lived in Sydney my entire life-I LOOVE IT! Apparently though, everything here's more expensive than in the US (which seems true to what I have personally found), but we get paid more here so it evens out I guess..!?

There's always so much to do here, and the natural environment is great-depending on whereabouts you live in Sydney, it's not too far from the Blue Mountains (google it!), its near lots of beautiful beaches, you can drive to the country, waterfalls, bushland etc etc... and it's often great weather!

Loved OZ and want to go back and do more. Did the whole east coast from Caines down to Sydney. Every part was terrific. Very friendly people. Be prepared to wear a hat and use lots of sun screen.

Best city in the world,friendly people who know how to laugh. Compared to the U.S.A it's very safe,there are no ghettos. Well when you come you will see for yourself and you will make up your mind,you'll love it.