Hi everyone
So, I have a bit of a dilemma here. We have been in Australia now for a little over 2 years, living in Perth. We are heading back to Scotland in April this year, and had planned to put an end to renting when we return, and actually look for a place to buy. However, I'm still not convinced. There's myself, my wife who's a registered nurse, and my 2 girls aged 12 and 8. I am basically still feeling sick at the prospect of having to spend $600k + (probably more like $700k) to get the type of property that we want (4x2min on around an acre). I'm wondering what states I should be looking at which can perhaps offer a good lifestyle, but without the hugely inflated property prices and costs of living associated with Perth. Don't get me wrong, I do like Perth, but I don't LOVE it. I would happily try somewhere else if I felt that it was worth the upheaval of an interstate move. We've come all the way from the UK and lasted a couple of years and done well enough, so I don't see another move as being out of the question.
Can anyone offer up any advice ? Has anyone else moved from Perth to somewhere else in Australia and have some experience to share ? I just don't want to get tied down to a huuuuuuuge mortgage and then decide that we should have tried somewhere else before getting tied down, then have to sell a house before making the move ! I have tried to do some quick searching online at properties elsewhere, but not having a good grasp of geography in other states makes it very difficult to make an accurate comparison - property prices alone also don't tell me how the cost of living compares either.
Any help that you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who has done the opposite, and moved to Perth from elsewhere in Australia, who may perhaps say I am better staying put !!
I look forward to your feedback.
Thanks