I can’t believe I've spent all day on here, so much information! My fiancé and I have been pondering a move to OZ for a year now since we traveled around Oz for 2 months. Were both 28. Like most we are increasingly becoming frustrated with living in the UK (London), increasing crime, high expenses, poor weather, paying so much for so little etc. We’ve fully committed to a move but feel the best course would be to rent our home in the UK and come over for a year renting property and researching cites/areas etc. We have no doubt we will adjust and make the most of opportunity as long as we can deal with missing family and friends. Some brief research leaves us looking more at Adelaide, Sydney and possibly Brisbane. Could anyone assist with further info and opinions on these cities and nice areas within? If we looked at a permanent move then we would have approx $600,000 to purchase a property.
Thanks in advance,
Hi Ian, And Welcome to Poms In Oz, really informative site and I hope that you get the answers that you are looking for.
I have travelled to all three places you mentioned briefly, and have to say they are all very different from each other. We all like different things and the places I say I like you may not!!
Ok a quick summary on how I see them all and perhaps then other people on here can give more input, or you can then ask more questions. So just to get the ball rolling for you
Sydney - Huge place, only stayed here a few nights so cant comment too much but we stayed in a not so good area and it was like being in our London Soho. Having said that in the day time we walked through the parks and boy are they lovely. Lots of people in your age group here jogging and playing footie in their lunch breaks!! Everyone seemed fit and happy and healthy! Not sure what you do for a living but if you like city life maybe this could be for you! One evening we went out and near the opera house there was an underpath, we did not know where it was going to take us, but anyway it took us to lots of pubs that were underground is was amazing and full of atmosphere!
Adelaide - Very small and very different from Sydney. Loved it real family place small and easy to find you way around. House prices still affordable. Lovely beaches and some great horse racing days out to be had.
Brisbane - Big place once again, city lovely but felt that Brisbane city felt newer than Sydney. You got Gold Coast one way and Sunshine Coast the other way. Gold Coast could be more for your age group, Sunshine Coast poss a slower pace! Theme parks are Gold Coast and also you have the surfers paradise! Sunshine Coast you have Australian Zoo and the Glass house mountains etc.. House prices rising Sunshine Coast quite expensive also Brisbane expensive, not looked at house prices Gold Coast way.
All very different places just a matter of trying to check them all out and see what you get a feel for.
Thanks for replying.
As I thought best bet will be to spend time in each city and get a feel for what they are really like, day to day. I like the house prices in Adelaide, not sure on what are good/bad areas through. I think we are probably more suited to Sydney but it appears quite expensive. I'm sure if I continue my search on here I`ll find some similar posts that will help. Problem is there is so much good info added every day.
When you are making these decisions there is some much emotion and even though you are only reading other people words you can really feel that everyone is feeling the same level of high emotion that comes with these big life decisions.
If only we could invent time portals then we could beat the main problem of missing friends and family.
Hi Ian
Have you looked at the real estate web sites that people give you links to on here? They give you an idea on what you get for your money. Only visited Adelaide for a month and spent time with my sister so did not travel about too much but Rostrevor, Craigburn Farm and Mount Barker were all nice places, although there are probably loads more. Adelaide does have its own CBD which is nice but small in comparison to Sydney and say Melbourne!
Have you considered looking at Melbourne if you think that Sydney is not affordable? Melbourne has a great city life too!
Missing family and friends is a major factor for alot of people, but you are still so young and you have soo much time on your hands, and you never know if you do settle there you could be opening a whole new world to your family, whom may follow!
Have you started the visa process yet, or you going on a tour first?
I have looked at property web sites for buying and renting. I take my hat off to the people that made a move when there was limited or no internet to do research on! I didn’t really warm to Melbourne, it reminded me too much of England, we had bad weather so maybe that didn’t help. The ocean road was great but the CBD in Melbourne wasn’t all that. I don’t think Sydney is too expensive but would rather have more for money, but then wouldn’t everyone. After all I live in one of the most expensive cities in the world at the moment so I guess I would probably get value for money in Sydney. Thanks for the advice about family, it’s true. I've been lucky enough to have travelled allot and Australia is the only place that actually felt like home. The moment we stepped off the plane in Sydney, there was just something about. Were about in OZ are you?
It's nice to read other people storeys and realise like your selves you are thinking of the move down under too.
My self and my partner are 28 and 30 we have a 2 year old and 6 month old. We too for the past 2 years have been deciding whether to do the move or not, for exactly the same reasons
Until yesterday we appointed a agent and now just hope! We have been told 2000 people apply each week but not even half make it. My partner is a carpenter, and from Jan 08 we have been told from our agent the criteria has changed and he now has to do a theory and practical test in his trade for our visa's to complete. will also take between 10 to 16 months.
We are undecided on areas too, for us its Brisbane or Adelaide. Our plan is to rent out there for a year and go from there.
Missing family and friends is a major factor for alot of people, but you are still so young and you have soo much time on your hands, and you never know if you do settle there you could be opening a whole new world to your family, whom may follow!
You are absolutly right. My husband and I came over in 2000/1. We toured Australia in true back packers style but knew if we ever had kids, Australia and Adelaide in particular would be the place for them to grow up. Now we are here its everything we wanted it to be but thats because we have put in hard work to make it so. We had a plan and stuck to it and life has never been happier for us.
We are still young and glad we made the move now in our lives. And you are right about opening up a whole new world for family (and friends) as now we are here, everyone seems to want to join us!!
Just chipping in with my two cents worth and, of course, just my humble opinion!!Having come out to Adelaide 2 years ago, last year DH got a Sydney-based job which meant we had to seriously look at moving there as the commuting was too inconvenient, expensive and just about eradicated our family time. Comparatively, it was more expensive all round; DH really noticed differences in that we would've had to travel alot further out to get the 'lifestyle' we want which would've again counteracted the plans we have to spend more time as a family and the main reason for coming out here. Of course, that may not be what you want but, even so, prepare to use public travel more as driving is a nightmare (though not as nightmarish as London!!!). Rentals and purchases are pricier, again comparatively but the wages are higher to compensate so, in alot of respects, it balances out wherever you are. After 7 months of to-ing and fro-ing, we were glad/lucky/relieved/grateful that DH's position was agreed and transferred to Adelaide so it meant we could stay here and still appreciate our life here. There are always bad and good areas whichever state/territory you live. We're considered to be living 'out in the sticks' to my CBD pals but we're only 20 mins down the freeway!!! Would've been an hour's travel each way if we were in Sydney.If you want more provincial-type place and surrounds (but still with lots of metro-type things!!), come to Adelaide. If you're more upbeat, fancy the city-type 'high life', then plump for Sydney. Either one, both states are beautiful and both have their downsides. SharronPS & for others' info: I know you don't have kids but the ultimate deciding factor for us was public school fees! Where we were looking (north and west) $4500 per child per year and we have 3!! Some- not all- of the NSW schools wanted the money upfront as well!!
Haven't been to Adelaide, but have lived in Sydney for 18 mths now and can't wait to leave. Heading up to Brissie very soon!!!
Main gripes....we're from London and it reminds us of London, but in Australian way. Busy, houses expensive, bit of a rat race and crap commuting.
If you spend 600k in Adelaide you will pick up a nice house and it will gain in value more than if you bought in Sydney. Also if you want to have a 'sea change' from the UK to OZ, your probably better off in Adelaide.
