Moving to Australia

[supercity88]

Those of you posting from Australia, where do you live?

I was travelling/working around Oz for a couple of years back in 2011. Flew to Sydney, blew money that was meant for the whole of the east coast by the time I'd hit Surfers Paradise... stopped and worked there for a bit Then flew up to Proserpine to go and do farm work in North Queensland. Have to say it was hard work but my god Queensland is stunning. Absolutely loved it. Was there in the winter to spring time and the weather was amazing. A bit chilly overnight but what a part of the world. Ended up back in Sydney working for 6 months and really liked that as well. Worked in North Sydney so commute to work over the harbour bridge every day looking out at the opera house. Not many commutes as good as that if you like a city.

Finally ended up in Perth and though small and pretty much dead during the week it is a cracking city to live. I often think about moving back out there with work etc but it’s a little bit too far from home and since returning I’ve really enjoyed spending time with the family. Looks like Perth is opening up all the waterfront which will be amazing. Shame they don’t change the clocks though, if they did that I’d happily live there!

Looking at the economics I’m better off staying put for now, though I could go back on a skilled visa in the future. I know what people mean about being able to get to Europe cheap and easy and though the culture/history/language doesn’t change across Australia much, the scenery varies dramatically and you don’t miss it too much. If you want a certain cuisine, most places you’ll get it. Asian food is obviously incredible and you’re not far from Asia depending where you live in Oz.

Just wondered where resident Aussies/ex pats live.

 

[foetus]

I live 50km south of Sydney...In between The Shire and Wollongong. Lived here my whole life and consider myself pretty damn lucky to have been raised here.

My local beach. I used to get high on this hill :)

 

[DelToro]

I live 50km south of Sydney...In between The Shire and Wollongong. Lived here my whole life and consider myself pretty damn lucky to have been raised here.

My local beach. I used to get high on this hill :)

Pretty similar view from my house in Northwich to be honest.

 

[foetus]

I live 50km south of Sydney...In between The Shire and Wollongong. Lived here my whole life and consider myself pretty damn lucky to have been raised here.

My local beach. I used to get high on this hill :)

Pretty similar view from my house in Northwich to be honest.

Haha to be fair, it's about a 5 minute drive from my house. Same with this place..Kelly's Falls

Got high on this rock too ;) (that's not me in the photo)

 

[WyongBlue]

I live on the Central Coast at Wyong which is about a 1 hour drive north from Sydney.........very scenic, great beaches ect only 20mins away not bad for a retiree..........

 

[lostmyhouseski]

I live in inner city Melbourne. It truly is a wonderful city!And all within easy reach of some stunning countryside/beaches/whatever tickles your fancy

 

[supercity88]

I live in inner city Melbourne. It truly is a wonderful city!And all within easy reach of some stunning countryside/beaches/whatever tickles your fancy

I seem to be in a minority when I say I didn't like Melbourne. It has great facilities, things to do and is clean etc but I just found it to be a bit European and I liked Sydney a lot more largely because of the iconic places. Most people I know loved it and stayed to work there but I just wasn't too keen. I didn't explore much other than to head down the Great Ocean Road for a couple of days.

 

[softlad]

Just hired a lad from New Zealand at our place. Can anyone give me some tips on any decent insults I can throw his way?

Just tell him that Richie McCaw is a cheat.

Then sit back....

 

[blue roo]

I'm in Perth ( inner city suburb of Mount Hawthorn). Great place. Been in Australia for 27 years (ex Chadderton)
Lived in Melbourne ( Williamstown) also for a couple of years , different to Perth in many ways but also a brilliant city to live in.
I've been reading this thread with interest, and yes Australia is getting expensive to live in relative to the UK, but from what I can glean the average wage is almost double that of Old Blighty. BUT it's still the land of opportunity if you are prepared to graft ,and in my opinion is the best country on the planet overall to live and bring up a family.
Great people , fantastic weather , diverse landscapes , brilliant cities , sport ...sport and more sport , cold beer , top wines , etc etc etc ....... If you are thinking of giving it a go, then do it , you won't regret it. IF you can't settle or it's not your bag , then no worries ,get on a plane and go back to what / where you know. After all it's not a penal colony anymore and you're free to do what you want.
Some people say that Australia lacks a little culture and is naive on the world stage .... well yes that may be true to some degree , but it's a young country trying to build its own identity. In fact it's naivety is part of its attraction to me, if that makes sense.
Anyway , you'll never never know, if you never never go. (A line from an ad years ago )

 

[BlueBearBoots]

I live 50km south of Sydney...In between The Shire and Wollongong. Lived here my whole life and consider myself pretty damn lucky to have been raised here.

My local beach. I used to get high on this hill :)

Looks like Northumberland :)