Choosing the right area

**tracy123** · 15-04-2010, 10:40 AM

Just wondering how much research is put in when choosing an area in Australia? It seems the key areas that people look at (from PIO posts) are

- How far away are beeches
- What can the kids do
- Schools
- Jobs
- Crime
- Price

But what about all of the things you do now? Are you into clubs/pubs/nightlife, history, city life, country life, culture/the arts etc because people seem to be so wrapped up in these other things that they forget about the every day things that mean a lot to them at present.
I bet and I maybe wrong, that the ones that have settled and doing well are the ones where their life has not been turned upside down by the move and feel their life has got better and are not missing out on anything! Or the things they are missing out on are limited compared to the things that they have gained.

It may sound silly, simple or basic but just think about it..... You live in London, you’re surrounded by shops, history, nightlife, culture etc it’s all on your door step then you move to a Suburb in Brisbane close to a beach the weather is great the area is great etc everything YOU wanted! But how long does it take before you miss your old life? You miss going out, you miss the old buildings, people etc all of a sudden the beach, the weather mean nothing to you because your missing out on the important things in your life.......... BUT............. If you moved to Melbourne or Sydney where you had all of those things on your door step (granted not as old or as many) and you had the beach on your doorstep the weather you may just find that your life becomes more enriched by the move.

It’s the same if you live in the country and move to the city, now I know there will be people that will come on and say the opposite, that by having a sea change has been the best thing that could of happened to them, while others that have moved, like for like, who are still not happy! Not everyone will love Australia and there is no guaranteed formula, I just think that with any move you really need to think about what you have in your life now that you enjoy that you would hate to give up, and then find those areas that suit you...... Then look at all of the extra things you want to enrich your life. Sorry if I’ve told anyone to suck eggs....

**Mongrel** · 15-04-2010, 10:56 AM

TBH geoff the two countries are so different as you know , its ok in the uk any inner city you can be s stones throw from any coast , here in oz the hoooooogeness takes some takin in and all your research tinternet books cant beat empirical evidence of being here and finding out for your self .

Mally

ps I`ve a strong arm tha nos

**tracy123** · 15-04-2010, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by yorkshirepom

TBH geoff the two countries are so different as you know , its ok in the uk any inner city you can be s stones throw from any coast , here in oz the hoooooogeness takes some takin in and all your research tinternet books cant beat empirical evidence of being here and finding out for your self .

Mally

ps I`ve a strong arm tha nos

Agree 100% Mally

As for a stones throw (distance wise) you are correct, but throw up a hot day in the UK and trying to get there is a whole different prospect, then theres the parking....... If you live 2 hours from a beach in Australia, it will normally take 2 hours to get there and normally no worries about parking either

**olly** · 15-04-2010, 12:47 PM

Freeways/tollways system in eastern region here has meant that most beaches on a good day are about half an hour drive - Ringwood to Frankston (or Mentone) or about 40 mins to St. Kilda and the beaches along Beach Road etc. If I go half an hour in the opposite direction, you have Yarra Valley wine growing region. It's all here for the taking.

**Mongrel** · 15-04-2010, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by tracy123

Agree 100% Mally

As for a stones throw (distance wise) you are correct, but throw up a hot day in the UK and trying to get there is a whole different prospect, then theres the parking....... If you live 2 hours from a beach in Australia, it will normally take 2 hours to get there and normally no worries about parking either

Thas not bin to Mullaloo on a weekend or public hol lol , have to illegally park and hoof it lol , my point is peeps ,(i was one of them) you look on a map andbeing from the uk ,you cant get the spacial aspect , eg Great Northern Hwy, Brand Highway , they are only roads lol,

**fish.01** · 15-04-2010, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by tracy123

Just wondering how much research is put in when choosing an area in Australia? It seems the key areas that people look at (from PIO posts) are

- How far away are beeches
- What can the kids do
- Schools
- Jobs
- Crime
- Price

But what about all of the things you do now? Are you into clubs/pubs/nightlife, history, city life, country life, culture/the arts etc because people seem to be so wrapped up in these other things that they forget about the every day things that mean a lot to them at present.
I bet and I maybe wrong, that the ones that have settled and doing well are the ones where their life has not been turned upside down by the move and feel their life has got better and are not missing out on anything! Or the things they are missing out on are limited compared to the things that they have gained.

It may sound silly, simple or basic but just think about it..... You live in London, you’re surrounded by shops, history, nightlife, culture etc it’s all on your door step then you move to a Suburb in Brisbane close to a beach the weather is great the area is great etc everything YOU wanted! But how long does it take before you miss your old life? You miss going out, you miss the old buildings, people etc all of a sudden the beach, the weather mean nothing to you because your missing out on the important things in your life.......... BUT............. If you moved to Melbourne or Sydney where you had all of those things on your door step (granted not as old or as many) and you had the beach on your doorstep the weather you may just find that your life becomes more enriched by the move.

It’s the same if you live in the country and move to the city, now I know there will be people that will come on and say the opposite, that by having a sea change has been the best thing that could of happened to them, while others that have moved, like for like, who are still not happy! Not everyone will love Australia and there is no guaranteed formula, I just think that with any move you really need to think about what you have in your life now that you enjoy that you would hate to give up, and then find those areas that suit you...... Then look at all of the extra things you want to enrich your life. Sorry if I’ve told anyone to suck eggs....

I think you've made a very good point....one I occasionally bang on about.

The only thing I would like to add is that Brisbane should not be dismissed out of hand to provide: "going out, you miss the old buildings, people". Inner Brisbane has all of these in smaller doses than Melbourne and Sydney, but the price tag to live amongst them is a lot smaller so in some ways they are more accessible to buy into (renting I assume would be more equal across the cities).

Not being a huge beach person I find Brisbane provides just the right balance of culture, history (i'm a mad character house fan), interesting childrens activities, great markets and eating opportunities combined with lovely weather, lower inner city house prices and access to great green lush parts of SE Qld/Northern NSW for camping etc. While twice as many cultural options would be better I think people need to consider the trade off you pay in house price, traffic and weather. My 2 cents. If you are really into cultural pursuits at the expense of all else then I would agree that Melbourne/Sydney win hands down.

Though some people may have tried them all and found them lacking, I suspect a lot of the posts you get lamenting what to do apart from the beach are from people who live in Brisbane's outer burbs and do not really know what goes on in inner Brisbane.

**Mongrel** · 15-04-2010, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by fish.01

I think you've made a very good point....one I occasionally bang on about.

The only thing I would like to add is that Brisbane should not be dismissed out of hand to provide: "going out, you miss the old buildings, people". Inner Brisbane has all of these in smaller doses than Melbourne and Sydney, but the price tag to live amongst them is a lot smaller so in some ways they are more accessible to buy into (renting I assume would be more equal across the cities).

Not being a huge beach person I find Brisbane provides just the right balance of culture, history (i'm a mad character house fan), interesting childrens activities, great markets and eating opportunities combined with lovely weather, lower inner city house prices and access to great green lush parts of SE Qld/Northern NSW for camping etc. While twice as many cultural options would be better I think people need to consider the trade off you pay in house price, traffic and weather. My 2 cents. If you are really into cultural pursuits at the expense of all else then I would agree that Melbourne/Sydney win hands down.

You are missin my point alot of the distances we are talkin about you can take in the whole of britain with major cities 30 mins to an hour of each other , it is this aspect which peeps comin here need to get a grasp of

**fish.01** · 15-04-2010, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by yorkshirepom

You are missin my point alot of the distances we are talkin about you can take in the whole of britain with major cities 30 mins to an hour of each other , it is this aspect which peeps comin here need to get a grasp of

Eh....I wasn't even quoting you

My reply was to Tracy and I hadn't even read your reply yet...maybe you didn't mean to quote me?

***Fiona*** · 15-04-2010, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by tracy123

Agree 100% Mally

As for a stones throw (distance wise) you are correct, but throw up a hot day in the UK and trying to get there is a whole different prospect, then theres the parking....... If you live 2 hours from a beach in Australia, it will normally take 2 hours to get there and normally no worries about parking either

I completely agree Geoffrey and that is definitely my experience. Living in Stoke the closest beach was probably Rhyl, you have to be 21 and going on a hen night to enjoy Rhyl though so we plumped for Llanddudno for a close by day trip. 2 hours and the rest on a bank hol or hot weekend. Here in Perth we live 10 mins from the nearest beach and about 30 mins tops from a choice of about 15. No hassles getting there even on public hols or weekends. I have NEVER experienced a traffic jam on the roads that lead to the coast. As for parking, all free, I agree with Mally as to the most popular beaches will be busy and parking difficullt on a holiday weekend but theres usually a quieter car park down the road with access to the beach, may not have the free bbqs and kids play area but beach all the same. For that reason we tend to have fun at home on public hols and do the beach on weekdays and quieter weekends or make for the less populated areas. I've quite often been one of only a few on the beach at my favourite time of day..sunset. Unbeatable.

**Mongrel** · 15-04-2010, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by fiona1975

I completely agree Geoffrey and that is definitely my experience. Living in Stoke the closest beach was probably Rhyl, you have to be 21 and going on a hen night to enjoy Rhyl though so we plumped for Llanddudno for a close by day trip. 2 hours and the rest on a bank hol or hot weekend. Here in Perth we live 10 mins from the nearest beach and about 30 mins tops from a choice of about 15. No hassles getting there even on public hols or weekends. I have NEVER experienced a traffic jam on the roads that lead to the coast. As for parking, all free, I agree with Mally as to the most popular beaches will be busy and parking difficullt on a holiday weekend but theres usually a quieter car park down the road with access to the beach, may not have the free bbqs and kids play area but beach all the same. For that reason we tend to have fun at home on public hols and do the beach on weekdays and quieter weekends or make for the less populated areas. I've quite often been one of only a few on the beach at my favourite time of day..sunset. Unbeatable.

Dont go to Pinarro ,Ocean reef and jindalee ,dont want ya scaring the fish off lol, fished pinnarroo a couple of nites and was accompanied by some nice young couples , had to turn my lantern off , embarrassing or what