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Aussie and NZ Mumsnetters

Welcome to Aussie & NZ Mumsnetters - discuss all aspects of parenting life in Australia and New Zealand, including relocating, schools and local areas.

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Original poster

Would you move to Melbourne or Sunshine Coast?

14 replies

RosesAreRedRight · 01/10/2023 08:43

Has anyone just been playing the waiting game until kids finish school so they can move somewhere else? If so, where did you move to (or plan to move to) and what appealed to you about the change?

DP and I are in our mid/late 50s and have lived in northern nsw pretty much forever and I’m absolutely dying to move somewhere else. My youngest child finished school a year ago so I figure we can now. I also have DS21 living in Melbourne, and DP has DD28 in Sydney.

Both of us like the idea of the Sunshine Coast as we could buy a small house within a 10-15 min drive of the beach. The Sunshine Coast lifestyle is very appealing to us. Not sure how easy it will be to get jobs that pay as well as our current ones though.

But Melbourne is where my kids are (the youngest is likely to move there soon too). But housing is not very affordable for us, the beaches are horrible and the weather can be so so cold. Other than being able to experience great restaurants, we’re not sure what we’d do there for leisure. Could probably find jobs easily enough but I’m horrified about a commute. The only thing that’s really drawing me there are my kids. DP is not that keen and gunning for Sunshine Coast.

So what did you do when your kids moved out, did you move somewhere else? I remember years ago when I was in my early 20s a handful of my parents friends followed their kids and ended up going where they moved to or moving closer to beach or somewhere with better infrastructure etc.

OP posts:

CallItLoneliness · 02/10/2023 05:29

What kind of work do you do? Could it be done remotely/partially remotely? The weather here in VIC is shithouse, no denying that, except on days like today when it is glorious. One possible compromise that would give you good beaches and cheaper housing would be moving somewhere like Torquay in VIC. Nice lifestyle, cheaper housing, close to Melbourne, but not in it.

SillyDoriswithaDangler · 02/10/2023 05:38

if you like shitty cold weather then go with Melbourne.

Treacle23 · 02/10/2023 05:51

I have been on holidays to parts of the Sunshine Coast like Marcoola/Mount Coolum and I could definitely see myself living there. Although everyone is up and about by 6am because of the sun...
I agree that Melbourne itself may not what you are after, but Torquay area or Queenscliff, or Gippsland might be good options.
It is going to depend on what you can afford re housing especially if you are taking a pay cut.
My advice is don't expect your kids to settle in one place forever. Go where you want to be.

Flatandhappy · 02/10/2023 05:55

I love Melbourne to visit but couldn’t live there because of the weather (we are in Sydney). DH and I are going there tomorrow for two days, apparently it is going to be rainy and cold, 15 degrees on Wednesday, hot and sunny at home. We will be in the same position as you in a couple of years, we are constantly having the conversation about “where to” and we honestly don’t have a clue. We are also thinking Sunshine coast for weather and proximity to beach but our kids won’t be close. If you find the perfect place please share 😊

Pacificisolated · 02/10/2023 07:06

Your kids sound like quite young adults so they may not remain in Melbourne forever, especially once they want to have their own kids or buy a house.
In saying that, whilst the northern end of the Sunshine Coast would be my absolute dream location (I went to high school there), it has more limited job options. What do you both do for work?

Pacificisolated · 02/10/2023 07:09

I could not tolerate Melbourne due to the crap weather! You’re probably used to a fair amount of sun if you’re from northern NSW. Even friends who have moved to Sydney from QLD have found the endless grey days incredibly depressing.

Rainbowqueeen · 02/10/2023 07:11

I’d go to the Sunshine Coast. It sounds like that is your preference plus your DC are likely to be happy to visit there regularly and it’s easy to get to. Then plan your life around 2 annual trips to melbourne when flights are cheap

Original poster

RosesAreRedRight · 02/10/2023 07:14

Thanks everyone, DH is in policy in a 100% remote but it’s a govt job and he has to live in NSW for it but would look at something similar in any other state. I’m hybrid, in administration currently at TAFE.

@Treacle23 thats a very good point about not expecting kids to stay in Melbourne forever.

OP posts:

Original poster

RosesAreRedRight · 02/10/2023 07:16

We really are leaning more towards Sunshine Coast but it feels so weird to actively move further away from the kids. Mum guilt I think. But in travel time there’s not a lot of difference getting to Melbourne from where we are now versus Sunshine Coast, it’s still 2/3 day of airports.

OP posts:

Downunderduchess · 02/10/2023 07:18

I’ve lived in Sydney my whole life, I would 100% move to the Sunshine Coast. Melbourne might be the choice if work/career was still a consideration but other than that? The coast all the way! Much nicer lifestyle.

CallItLoneliness · 02/10/2023 08:37

If it is JUST about the kids, go to the coast (and I say that as an adult child who is in the thick of the childrearing years). Your kids may move again, and while I know lots of people expect grandparent daycare due to the cost of everything, there is no obligation to provide it. I love the relationship my kids have with my Mum because she is JUST their grandparent.

Original poster

RosesAreRedRight · 02/10/2023 09:27

I guess the idea about Melbourne is only because the kids are there. Lifestyle and everything else is about the Sunshine Coast. I’m absolutely not getting pressure from the kids one way or another which is great.

We did spend four days in Melbourne about a month ago and in all honesty after that amount of time I was happy to escape the dark gloomy skies and puffer jacket weather 😬. Loved the food and the busy vibe everywhere though.

OP posts:

Starlia · 04/10/2023 10:39

The Sunshine Coast is a gorgeous place and I would happily live there.
I'm a native Brisbane-ite and lots of us escape up to the Sunny Coast to relax.
However, I cannot stress this enough. Get a job and a house sorted out before you move up. There is a massive shortage of housing, and not a massive job market. Someone may float the idea of commuting to Brisbane but this will kill your soul due to the traffic.
If you can get remote jobs, that’s fantastic.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

StartupRepair · 06/10/2023 21:11

Victorian government jobs are 3 office days 2 WFH unless by exception. There are many job cuts being made currently across the Victorian public service. So don't assume that your dh will easily get a fully remote job here in Melbourne. Sounds like weather and beach are really important to you. I live in Melbourne and love it but it is a big busy expensive city with mad weather and traffic congestion. Your kids may settle here forever or move on.I'd go Sunshine coast

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