how to choose where to live

[EmmaDon]

Hi folks,
Well we have finally decided to give it a go, so will get all the info we need this side of the year and hopefully start the actual visa process early next year. Although we will go anywhere, I think it would be an idea to have some clue about where we would want to live. How do we decide?????
We don't want to live in a big city, we want some space - for the kids to able to go ride their bikes and play, we want to be close to good schools, and we want to be somewhere warm, but not 30degrees all year round (rules out Darwin!) Close to the sea would be a plus, but not a big issue. And house prices/rent should be reasonable. HELP!!!

Em x

[cam7445]

We read a lot of tourist guides!!, try and visit, (we didn't) but I can recommend Brisbane now I am here, the suburbs stretch for miles, public transport is good and thank fully my kids play out side most of the time!!

[Petals]

If you like four seasons then you would have to look at Tasmania, Adelaide and Melbourne.

If you do not mind humidity then QLD or Sydney is the place to be. Maybe south of Sydney or just north if you want more space.

Regional places in Victoria are Warnambool which is a lovely place, cold in winter hot in summer but has good rainfall. Rainfall is something to consider in Aus.

Bendigo my daughter loves Bendigo. Regional town in Victoria hot and dry in summer.

Perth nice climate but a long way away from other places in Aus.

Tasmania lovely place, small and intimate and cold in winter and warm to hot in summer. Very nice arty people love it and so much to do.

I am not a fan of QLD or any hot place that is humid, dry heat is much easier to take than humid heat. Mildura your get forty degrees but its a lot better than thirty plus and humid.

Melbourne gets very hot in the summer hotter than QLD but the days of heat come in waves and it gets cooler in between, same in Adelaide. Humidity is low.

In Melbourne all the shops are airconditioned with refrigerated aircon whereas in Sydney and other places they use the water aircon and if its humid this just makes it a whole lot worse.

Bugs love the heat and shoes turn green in cupboards and weavels get in the flower.

So think carefully what you want your life to be like and choose appropriately.

[EmmaDon]

Thanks for the info guys, I think we have narrowed it down slightly, I quite like the idea of Brisbane subburbs and surrounding areas, northern NSW, and Southern WA, but if offered, we will go anywhere, to get out of this place!!! OH needs somewhere where he can grow some veg!! Do you get allotments in Oz?!

[ozboy]

Originally Posted by EmmaDon

Thanks for the info guys, I think we have narrowed it down slightly, I quite like the idea of Brisbane subburbs and surrounding areas, northern NSW, and Southern WA, but if offered, we will go anywhere, to get out of this place!!! OH needs somewhere where he can grow some veg!! Do you get allotments in Oz?!

If you don't need to live in a large city for employment reasons, someone mentioned Warrnambool area, in Victoria near the great ocean road. Very nice green countryside, spectacular coastline ,and fantastic beaches , some of the best in Australia. Cool climate but warm enough in summer to go swimming at the beach, affordable houses and land especialy if you want a large backyard or acerage to grow vegetables. Land in or near a large city like Brisbane to grow vegetables would be expensive, there are no allotments in OZ.
A couple of hours from Geelong and Melbourne if you want to vist a large city. Also it has alot of rainfall if you want to grow vegetables, you might have to worry about water shortages if you live in Brisbane or northern NSW .

[sarahsunshine]

Why not do a reccy? Loads of expats do this before they decide and it really is the best way to go.

[EmmaDon]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions, I am taking note and when the time comes, I think it will be a long list......We are going over to Oz in December, Staying in Sydney with OH brother and then flying to Brisbane and driving back down, so we will have chance to see what southern queensland and Northern NSW are like. We have a week to drive down, so will be stopping to hand out OH CV (every chance we can) and hopefully take a look at the houses etc on the way. As it is a holiday and we have the kids with us, we can't really go anywhere else in Oz to look...

[kernow43]

Take a look at Redcliffe in Queensland
Moreton Bay Regional Council - Tourism
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Redcliffe Real Estate Property Listings Brisbane-northside Queensland Australia
Regards kernow43

[dom&corrie]

Have you looked at the central coast in nsw? We are hoping to head that way as lots of lovely beaches/coastline and rivers/green spaces. The houses seem more reasonably priced and depending on which side of the central coast you live is either hour from Sydney or newcastle so hopefully job possibilities too. Having said all of this we have never actually visited the area!!! We are also trying to narrow down possibilities so hope to seek advice aswell!!
C xx

[EmmaDon]

Guys you have all come up with some fab ideas of where to be looking, you are all stars!! We have had our 1:1 with Darryl @ Thinking Australia, and he seems to think that we would have no problem getting work as OH occupation is well wanted in all areas.(457 visa) So we will start putting the CV out there, and concentrate on QLD, NSW , and WA. Darryl said that if we were to put CV with him now (£600 - Jobfinder plus) that we may get interviews for December when we are out there. He was really nice and positive and OH seems more geared towards going now. He said to me last night though, that it is a long way, I told him it's only a day, and he said but if we don't like it..... I said we would have to give it 2 years at least to see if we settle in, then he went quiet. Keep your fingers crossed for me that he stays Oz positive!! Sorry about going off on a tangent too!!

Em xx