You could try Ashfield or Strathfield at the moment for a two bed $500. They’re not flash suburbs but safe and easy, loads of shops etc, great Asian food, and have express trains to central so you can walk to Surry hills from there.

Air quality is no joke at the moment so make sure the place you move has aircon and is easy to get to shops etc on the days where you don’t really want to go far. Hopefully it will go back to normal soon but I’m not really feeling it at the moment TBH.

I actually find Sydney way cheaper than Auckland for eating out (cheap Asian places) groceries (Aldi) petrol, public transport and power. I don’t think you’ll find it too expensive once you find a rental that’s in your budget.