Where in Australia to live…

[Skani]

1 hour ago, InnerVoice said:

How can I put this diplomatically? Most people tend to feel the heat more as they get older and start carrying a few extra pounds -

It's certainly true that heat puts an extra strain on your body and carrying extra pounds will exacerbate it.   But there's more to it than that.    I suspect that there's a genetic component.

We moved to Tasmania because my English mother couldn't stand the heat and humidity of northern NSW - not even Queensland.  She was quite young and certainly not overweight.   Now I watch my teenage grandsons in hot weather - one absolutely loves it and thrives, like his father...the other wilts like a soggy lettuce leaf at anything over 25C - like his mother (and me).

[Marisawright]

9 minutes ago, Skani said:

It's certainly true that heat puts an extra strain on your body and carrying extra pounds will exacerbate it.   But there's more to it than that.    I suspect that there's a genetic component

I agree. When I lived in Africa in my 30s, I worried because my fingers swelled up like sausages in the tropical heat. I went to the doctor who just said, "You've just got Scottish genes"

Edited October 2, 2023 by Marisawright

[InnerVoice]

13 hours ago, Ollie2212 said:

Brisbane really does seem to have a nice balance of what I’m looking for without being too expensive.

I’m originally from Manchester, so anywhere you live that’s relatively central is fine. Looking at a map of Brisbane, I have no idea where the “centre” would be. Fortitude valley, kangaroo point and south Brisbane all seem to triangle around the word “Brisbane” when looking at google maps, which implies that’s where you’d want to be looking right?

Or is it a case of there being lots of “mini cities” within Brisbane? For example, Kangaroo point and St Lucia are over an hours walk from each other so I’d assume that one of those places is too far away from “the city centre”

Getting back on track...

Accommodation in Brisbane is by no means cheap, but it certainly isn't as expensive as Sydney and Melbourne.

It's hard to pinpoint where the centre of Brisbane actually is, but when I lived there I used to think it was Central Station. It's the main transport hub and is also located quite centrally, as the name implies. Brisbane CBD has plenty of bars and restaurants, but they're quite spread out and generally close quite early, except at the weekend. Fortitude Valley is the main nightlife/ entertainment hub in the city, although Southbank and Caxton Street in Paddington can get lively too. Kangaroo Point is residential, although it happens to be the home of the iconic Story Bridge Hotel which is very popular, especially on Sunday arvo.

Most of Brisbane's suburbs have distinct centres (shops, restaurants and amenities), but nothing that you'd describe as a 'mini-city' or even a town. The suburbs with larger shopping centres tend to be a bit more developed - places like Mt Gravatt, Chermside, and Toowong, spring to mind. Brisbane has an excellent public transport system so even if places are too far to walk you'll have no problem getting around. In recent years there's been a lot of investment in cycle paths so if you have a bike or an eScooter, you'll be in your element.

I'd suggest coming up for a few days and doing a recce, and if you are concerned about the 'hot weather' then visit during the summer months so you'll know what you're in for.

[Nemesis]

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

How can I put this diplomatically? Most people tend to feel the heat more as they get older and start carrying a few extra pounds - not that I'm saying that applies to anyone above - but I've noticed it myself (gained about 10kg in the last 10 years). I see people from time to time who fit a certain demographic and think, oh dear, you really don't look happy!

 

Yeah I'm well aware I'm a fat old cow, but I wasn't when I went to Brisbane over 20 years ago, and I hated the heat just as much then as now. 

9 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

Getting back on track...

Accommodation in Brisbane is by no means cheap, but it certainly isn't as expensive as Sydney and Melbourne.

It's hard to pinpoint where the centre of Brisbane actually is, but when I lived there I used to think it was Central Station. It's the main transport hub and is also located quite centrally, as the name implies. Brisbane CBD has plenty of bars and restaurants, but they're quite spread out and generally close quite early, except at the weekend. Fortitude Valley is the main nightlife/ entertainment hub in the city, although Southbank and Caxton Street in Paddington can get lively too. Kangaroo Point is residential, although it happens to be the home of the iconic Story Bridge Hotel which is very popular, especially on Sunday arvo.

Most of Brisbane's suburbs have distinct centres (shops, restaurants and amenities), but nothing that you'd describe as a 'mini-city' or even a town. The suburbs with larger shopping centres tend to be a bit more developed - places like Mt Gravatt, Chermside, and Toowong, spring to mind. Brisbane has an excellent public transport system so even if places are too far to walk you'll have no problem getting around. In recent years there's been a lot of investment in cycle paths so if you have a bike or an eScooter, you'll be in your element.

I'd suggest coming up for a few days and doing a recce, and if you are concerned about the 'hot weather' then visit during the summer months so you'll know what you're in for.

The public transport in Brisbane is pretty good, both buses and trains. Most suburbs have a very regular bus service and they've built a lot of bus lanes and tunnels over the last few years.  

Suburban shopping strips are ok, lots of little cafes, the one thing they lack is pubs. Come the evenings you generally have to head for the Valley, CBD, Caxton Street if you want a drink. If you do find a pub in the suburbs they are often shut by 8.30 as everything and everyone seems to shut down early. I couldn't believe how many pf my work colleagues were in bed by 8 every night! No socialising after work - there was never time before their early nights. Then all up with the lark at 4.30-5am, horrible way to live  

I was a northside person, and there are some great suburbs fairly near the CBD - places like WIndsor and Wilston, both of which have great schools. Wooloowin is much improved these days too.

Be interesting to see how the continuing fiasco of the Olympics affects the city. Lots of stations are being closed for months so they can be "improved" for 2032 and some suburbs are likely to be impacted by rebuilding and redevelopment of sporting venues. Could be good for the city and its future residents, and make it the city of choice - or it could condemn them to years of chaos, especially on the roads!

[InnerVoice]

3 hours ago, Nemesis said:

Suburban shopping strips are ok, lots of little cafes, the one thing they lack is pubs. Come the evenings you generally have to head for the Valley, CBD, Caxton Street if you want a drink. If you do find a pub in the suburbs they are often shut by 8.30 as everything and everyone seems to shut down early. I couldn't believe how many pf my work colleagues were in bed by 8 every night! No socialising after work - there was never time before their early nights. Then all up with the lark at 4.30-5am, horrible way to live  

I was a northside person, and there are some great suburbs fairly near the CBD - places like WIndsor and Wilston, both of which have great schools. Wooloowin is much improved these days too.

Be interesting to see how the continuing fiasco of the Olympics affects the city. Lots of stations are being closed for months so they can be "improved" for 2032 and some suburbs are likely to be impacted by rebuilding and redevelopment of sporting venues. Could be good for the city and its future residents, and make it the city of choice - or it could condemn them to years of chaos, especially on the roads!

That pretty much sums up my own experience of Brisbane life, although I haven't lived there since 2012. I too was a 'Northy' and lived in Paddington, Red Hill, Toowong, and more lately in Hamilton. At the time these places were relatively affordable, but not these days! I liked the fact that the northern-western suburbs are quite hilly and you get amazing views of the city in some places, not to mention cool afternoon breezes.

I haven't spent much time in Brissie since then, but I went there last year for a conference. It was on a Thursday and Friday so I stayed over the weekend and visited some of my old haunts. It seems much busier now than how I remembered it and there was definitely more going in the evenings - although I was there Thu/Fri/Sat night.

I'm normally in bed around 9.30-10pm and up at 5.30am, which is earlier than I'd like, but if I wasn't I'd miss the mornings which are the best part of the day up here. Not having Daylight Savings Time is the 'curse of Queensland' I'm afraid, and I don't think that's ever likely to change!

[Ollie2212]

Thanks for the replies everyone, seems the temperatures are a big talking point! Myself and my partner are both 25 and love the hot weather. We have no ties to anywhere so should it be an issue, we would simply relocate again… Having gone from Manchester to Tasmania, I’m certainly craving the “true” Australian sunshine

Brisbane sounds like a winner to me…

 

[calNgary]

2 hours ago, Ollie2212 said:

Thanks for the replies everyone, seems the temperatures are a big talking point! Myself and my partner are both 25 and love the hot weather. We have no ties to anywhere so should it be an issue, we would simply relocate again… Having gone from Manchester to Tasmania, I’m certainly craving the “true” Australian sunshine

Brisbane sounds like a winner to me…

 

LOL. We are like you, the weather played a part in us leaving Manchester, so we wanted heat and sun, thankfully we werent disapointed in QLD. 

             Cal x

[Ollie2212]

4 minutes ago, calNgary said:

LOL. We are like you, the weather played a part in us leaving Manchester, so we wanted heat and sun, thankfully we werent disapointed in QLD. 

             Cal x

Are you guys from Manchester originally? Hell of a difference over here isn’t it

On a new note, I’ve just done some research into Perth. For some reason, in my mind I always considered it to be more of a quiet town haha. Seems to be a really cool busy city, plenty of hospitality jobs and restaurants, close to the beach and maybe milder temperatures than Brisbane. Also the rents seem a bit cheaper for city apartments.

 

Anyone have any info on Perth?

[calNgary]

4 minutes ago, Ollie2212 said:

Are you guys from Manchester originally? Hell of a difference over here isn’t it

On a new note, I’ve just done some research into Perth. For some reason, in my mind I always considered it to be more of a quiet town haha. Seems to be a really cool busy city, plenty of hospitality jobs and restaurants, close to the beach and maybe milder temperatures than Brisbane. Also the rents seem a bit cheaper for city apartments.

 

Anyone have any info on Perth?

Hi

 Yes we are from Manchester (Bury), moved just over 15 years ago when the kids were little and have no regrets yet,lol.

@ali lives in Perth so hopefully she can give you some advice. Its a place i havent yet been but do want to visit. 

                        Cal x

[Marisawright]

1 hour ago, Ollie2212 said:

Are you guys from Manchester originally? Hell of a difference over here isn’t it

On a new note, I’ve just done some research into Perth. For some reason, in my mind I always considered it to be more of a quiet town haha. 

It's a city not a town and good for young families by all accounts. My niece sent almost her whole WHV year in Sydney because she loved it so much and she didn't want to go home. When she got a chance to spend a few months in Perth with her work, she jumped at the chance to be in Australia again. She didn't like it, felt it was 'dead' compared to Sydney. She was about 30 at the time. 

[Drumbeat]

17 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

It's a city not a town and good for young families by all accounts. My niece sent almost her whole WHV year in Sydney because she loved it so much and she didn't want to go home. When she got a chance to spend a few months in Perth with her work, she jumped at the chance to be in Australia again. She didn't like it, felt it was 'dead' compared to Sydney. She was about 30 at the time. 

What year was that? There is plenty going on in Perth but I'm sure anywhere would be less lively than Sydney - on the other hand it's far more affordable and not everyone wants to live in a huge, bustling city.

[Ollie2212]

How long would people budget/plan to stay in an AirBnb/Hotel while apartment hunting?

 

We would aim to have some viewings arranged before leaving Tasmania and ideally make an application pretty asap from our arrival. We would also like to have a good chunk of money saved, for example 2 or 3 months rent upfront.

While on that topic, is it likely to impact a rental application not having a job. In an ideal world we would like to find somewhere, have 2 or 3 months rent saved up, and spend a few weeks chilling out and exploring before finding jobs. As said they will be hospitality jobs and fairly easy to walk into…

[Marisawright]

37 minutes ago, Drumbeat said:

 I'm sure anywhere would be less lively than Sydney - on the other hand it's far more affordable and not everyone wants to live in a huge, bustling city.

But the OP did say they'd ideally like somewhere that's the centre of Sydney at Hobart prices. So they want bustle 

On that basis I'd say Brisbane is closer to that than Perth

Edited October 2, 2023 by Marisawright

[Marisawright]

By the way @Ollie2212, how did you manage to be in Sydney and not notice the ocean? There's miles of gorgeous beaches in the coastal suburbs.

 

[calNgary]

21 minutes ago, Ollie2212 said:

How long would people budget/plan to stay in an AirBnb/Hotel while apartment hunting?

 

We would aim to have some viewings arranged before leaving Tasmania and ideally make an application pretty asap from our arrival. We would also like to have a good chunk of money saved, for example 2 or 3 months rent upfront.

While on that topic, is it likely to impact a rental application not having a job. In an ideal world we would like to find somewhere, have 2 or 3 months rent saved up, and spend a few weeks chilling out and exploring before finding jobs. As said they will be hospitality jobs and fairly easy to walk into…

It all depends on the area , probably a month but its hard to say if you wont have proof of employment to show agents for a longer term let. Personally if you can narrow down some areas i would start touching base (and kissing butt) to some agents, explain where you are what dates you plan on arriving etc etc and see if they can find you something, just don't committ until you have seen a priperty in person (unless its an inner city apartment in which case your probably pretty safe).

           Cal x

[Bobj]

Hospitality industry? Look at the fabulous Whitsunday/Mackay region. with beaches galore It is a sugar cane, banana  and mango  growing area and very little else. The city of Mackay is about 150,000 population and is the port for the sugar and the centre for the coal mines in the hinterland.

Cheers, Bobj.

[InnerVoice]

14 hours ago, Ollie2212 said:

On a new note, I’ve just done some research into Perth. For some reason, in my mind I always considered it to be more of a quiet town haha. Seems to be a really cool busy city, plenty of hospitality jobs and restaurants, close to the beach and maybe milder temperatures than Brisbane. Also the rents seem a bit cheaper for city apartments.

 

12 hours ago, Ollie2212 said:

How long would people budget/plan to stay in an AirBnb/Hotel while apartment hunting?

We would aim to have some viewings arranged before leaving Tasmania and ideally make an application pretty asap from our arrival. We would also like to have a good chunk of money saved, for example 2 or 3 months rent upfront.

While on that topic, is it likely to impact a rental application not having a job. In an ideal world we would like to find somewhere, have 2 or 3 months rent saved up, and spend a few weeks chilling out and exploring before finding jobs. As said they will be hospitality jobs and fairly easy to walk into…

 

I like Perth, but I prefer Brisbane. Perth is just as hot, if not hotter, but unlike Brisbane doesn't get humid in the summer. It's a dry heat, which many prefer. There's also a direct train from the centre of Perth to Cottersloe, from which it's a two minute-walk to a (stunning) beach. If you don't have your own transport, you will find getting from Brisbane to the beach expensive and time-consuming, and in practice be limited to the northern end of Gold Coast (unless you're prepared to stay somewhere overnight). The public transport connection from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast isn't great, so you'd struggle to get there and back for a day out. Of course, if you are going to buy a car at some point (which would be a wise investment), that negates everything I've just said.

If you haven't been to either Perth or Brisbane before then why not do a two city recce? - fly to Perth for a few days, on to Brissie for a few, and then back to Tassie. You are going to blow some cash, but makes a lot more sense than heading off blind and hoping for the best.

Unless you can pay 6 months up front you're going to struggle renting an apartment (from a reputable agent) without proof of employment, and references. There's something of an accommodation crisis in SEQ at the moment (well-covered on the news over the last couple of years), so you will be up against many other prospective tenants - most of whom will already have jobs.

If I was you I'd work out what you priorities are and draw up a plan of action before you leave Tasmania.

[memmymooch]

We moved from Melbourne to Qld 5 years ago, currently based in Sunshine Coast but have been offered a job in Perth so will be heading west early next year. Compared to Melbourne weather I love Qld and its lack of a real winter, temps drop down a bit at night around July enough that we would put heating on but still great during the day.

Sunny Coast is stunning with beaches, hinterland and pretty much water of some kind everywhere you go. Its more of a family place though very limited night life, my kids 18 and 22 often moan about this fact and my 18 yr old frequently travels to Brisbane which is about 60-90 mins drive away or around 2 hours by public transport dependant on where you are based. Public transport here is pretty woeful in terms of range and times of operation.

Housing costs here are insane my eldest and his partner live with us as they are unable to get into the rental market, anything that would be of a reasonable price range to a young couple starting out has a zillion applicants, there are so many people living in tents and cars due to housing unaffordability. Brisbane I have seen some more reasonably priced options and Gold Coast as well but the whole of this region is in housing crisis. That said people apear to get rentals in the higher end range more easily so really depends on budget and/or how much in advance you can pay or offer above asking price. I def think is going to be a challenge though without a job as so many other employed applicants in competition with you.

I've spent some time in Cairns and have family in Townsville both of those areas are much more affordable than the south.  Qld has a wet and humid summer, the further north you go the wetter and more humid summer is. I believe from my research so far Perth is the opposite with their wet season happening predominatly accross winter. 

When I relocated from Melbourne I was able to obtain a rental sight unseen just going via pics - big mistake it was a dump but gave us somewhere to be moving to instead of the whole temp accomadation gig, I had a job offer in place though. Im noticing a big difference this time in trying to plan the move to Perth as most properties are requiring a in person viewing to make application. Given that we wil be moving in peak holiday season air bnb is $$$ so am looking at a relocation agent this time around.

[ali]

On 02/10/2023 at 16:52, calNgary said:

Hi

 Yes we are from Manchester (Bury), moved just over 15 years ago when the kids were little and have no regrets yet,lol.

@ali lives in Perth so hopefully she can give you some advice. Its a place i havent yet been but do want to visit. 

                        Cal x

Apologies for the delayed reply - We have never regretted moving here and our kids (28 and 24 who are well travelled) also choose to remain on the West Coast.  My Niece whose now 27 came on a working holiday visa originally, - did the rounds and decided to return to WA for her 2nd holiday visa and is still here (now on a partner visa).   Transportation is relatively easy, there's loads of opportunities that I can see in hospitality.  Perth is the place that seems to divide the forum, my advise is to see for yourself if it's your cup of tea or not, everyone has an opinion on it - even when they've never set foot in the state, and even those of us that live here also seems to love it or hate it lol.

[Lisa Kent]

Sounds like you're after a bit of the Sydney vibe without the hefty price tag, yeah? I reckon you might want to give Brisbane a try. It's got that city buzz with heaps of bars, restaurants, and all that jazz. Now, if you're keen on beaches like the Gold Coast but want somewhere quieter, you could also consider living in the Sunshine Coast. Places like Maroochydore or Mooloolaba have a good mix of city life and beach vibes, and the rent might not sting as much as it would in Sydney. Just keep your eyes peeled for listings and maybe do a few weekend trips to scope out the areas. With a bit of luck, you'll find a spot that feels like home without blowing the budget.

[hispurpose]

On 16/04/2024 at 04:32, Lisa Kent said:

Sounds like you're after a bit of the Sydney vibe without the hefty price tag, yeah? I reckon you might want to give Brisbane a try. It's got that city buzz with heaps of bars, restaurants, and all that jazz. Now, if you're keen on beaches like the Gold Coast but want somewhere quieter, you could also consider living in the Sunshine Coast. Places like Maroochydore or Mooloolaba have a good mix of city life and beach vibes, and the rent might not sting as much as it would in Sydney. Just keep your eyes peeled for listings and maybe do a few weekend trips to scope out the areas. With a bit of luck, you'll find a spot that feels like home without blowing the budget.

These recommendations sound great, I stumbled across them accidentally but I will be flying out to Sunshine coast soon. Thank you!