Brisbane Vs Adelaide??

julieportsmouth · 06-11-2007, 09:41 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the site so I hope I am posting this in the right place!

My husband, me and our 18 month old son have just started the process of getting to Oz (hubby is just having his skills assessed) and we were hoping to pick anyones brains out there on a whole load of subjects!! We live in Portsmouth and I'm self employed as a childminder.

The main one though for us is where to settle. My other half is an IT Network Security Manager and we are assured by our migration agent that we should have no problems getting in to either Queensland or South Australia as his occupation is on the "on demand" list in both states.

Our initial gut feeling was that Brisbane/Gold Coast area would be the place for us but we are not sure if its going to be too hot/humid for us. We also heard that mosquito's can be a real problem ( I'm allergic to mosquito bites!) for most of the year, can anyone describe the climate for us there and tell us how it really is with mosquitos?!! We are also keen to settle somewhere where our son will have a great outdoor life and lots of friends.

We are also considering Adelaide and having a young family we are keen to settle somewhere where there is a great outdoor life and is family orientated but again we are not sure what the climate is like there and whether there is plenty of family activities for us.

Can anyone give us any advice/info on anything good or bad about both places? Also any info on cost of living, job prospects for Nigel etc etc etc!! Anything at all would be helpful.

Thanks

Julie, Nigel & Rio x

calNgary · 06-11-2007, 10:36 PM

Hiya guys id choose Brisbane ,but im biased because i love it here !!!lol,,It can get hot but i havnt experienced anything uncomfortable.Air con is present in most houses and cars if it gets very hot.Mossie repellant does work but dawn and dusk and you do get the little buggers around.My kids settled very well and have had no problems with school or nursery.As this area is booming ,child minders are in demand and child care centres advertise almost weekly.Not sure on hubbys trade but have a look at SEEK - Australia's no. 1 jobs, employment, career and recruitment site or AllJobs.com.au - Search for Jobs in Australia .Good luck with your choice it wont be easy,,maybe someone will be along soon with their experience of adelaide,,,
Cal x

julieportsmouth · 06-11-2007, 11:10 PM

Hi Calngary

thanks so much for your reply, we're really grateful as we have a long road ahead! We can't wait to get over there and as I said before our gut feeling is that Queensland is the right place for us and I think sometimes you have to listen to your gut!! Could you give us some idea of house prices in Brisbane? We want to buy somewhere as soon as it is feasible and looking at average earnings for my hubby's job he hopes to get a salary of at least $80k for his qualifications. I have no idea what I will be earning and may not work to start off with so do you think we will be ok to get a mortgage over there with his salary? We reckon that once we have cleared all the moving costs, flights,, rent etc we will have a around $40k to $50k down payment. Any info and we would be forever in your debt!!

thanks

Julie, Nigel & Rio xx

calNgary · 06-11-2007, 11:57 PM

Hiya the best way to look at property is use www.realestate.com.au this will give you a good idea of prices in all the suburbs.(the postcode for here and surronding suburbs is 4280)We found it easiest to sit down as a family and work out exactly we want,how far to beach? to schools?shops?acerage or smaller size plot? etc,let me know if you need any more help,,
Cal x

pabloke99 · 07-11-2007, 09:24 AM

Hi, we too are in a similar dilemma, but what a nice one to have. All I can recommend is to do your research and attend seminars such as the recent Exp07, to get a feel for the job opportunities and climates & environments of the different states. Personally we are now leaning towards SA because of the dry mediterranean climate, jobs available and cheaper house prices - but we were also impressed with what Tasmania had to offer.

Good Luck

kdal · 07-11-2007, 10:24 AM

Hi, We visited both places and we are heading Brisbane as I have cousins there. BUT I did love Adelaide the climate I found perfect nice and hot without being really humid although you do get seasons still I believe not as cold as here in the UK.
Brisbane is HUGE place and Adelaide is smaller and I found to be very family orientated and easy to find your way about. My sister is about to open an indoor play centre in Adelaide this December, so once again certainly room for growth and scope still in Oz.
We have 14 and 16 year olds so Brisbane seemed the best option for them and this is where they want to be.
Good luck with your choice all!!

Impatient · 07-11-2007, 10:38 AM

Hi guys

we are in the same boat, considering both Brisbane and Adelaide. Children are young and I dream of living within walking distance of a beach, so I am erring toward Adelaide. Property cheaper and climate suits me. Was concerned about the quiet small town thing, but then realised I hate big cities and wanted the quieter life so think Adelaide has everything I want. Scope for growth/development etc is also huge so opportunities for smallies in the future are likely to be good. Personally, I will be drinking a local wine in my hot tub watching the world go by. Can't wait.

Django · 07-11-2007, 05:02 PM

Hi guys,
We had the same thoughts between the same places. Adelaide ticked all the boxes and Brisbane had a few left unticked (climate and choice of hospitals to work in). You gotta do your research and decide what is best for you and your family. I reckon live in SA and holiday in Queensland.

Pete

tonyandlynne · 07-11-2007, 11:33 PM

Hi Julie, Nigel & Rio,

Huge welcome to PIO, Can't help you with your questions but best of luck with your application etc

julieportsmouth · 08-11-2007, 10:10 AM

thanks you guys so much for your replies, that helps us a lot. Does anyone know what the winters are like in Adelaide?
I'm not sure if Brisbane will be a bit too hot/humid (plays havoc with my hair lol) for us but at the same time we all love the sun and are fed up with the cold/damp in the UK!!

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

thanks for such a warm welcome to the site everyone!!

Julie, Nigel & Rio x