If you could live anywhere in Australia where would you live?

[XBenedict]

And why? I'm thinking WA - south of Perth but only because I holidayed there once and quite liked it, would be prepared to be persuaded elsewhere!

[Mosman]

Well the hilarity of it is we will have to permanent residency before we will stand a hope in hells chance of being able to save enough to come home.
I don't not like Perth but we should have sent DH out first to get a job and send dollars home, sorted lots back in the UK first and then when he had found good schools and a house in Sydney gone out.
For DH it's been a good move so he won't come back, not sure what I will do long term, post DC's being at home.

[CanIHaveAPetGiraffePlease]

Sounds complicated. My husband (Australian) decided he prefers the UK so it saved me having to agonise over the decision but we could have easily moved if we had wanted to.

(Just realised that my previous post doesn't make much sense - oops! Need to wake up.)

[Napsalot]

There are pros and cons of every city -to enjoy living in Perth I think you have to embrace that it is isolated but that is part of its charm. Possibly not the best place for a visit (lacking in tourist attractions unlike say Melbourne or Sydney), but a nice place to live. Close to the beach, laid back, good weather generally. Air conditioning in Australia changes your experience and is therefore essential IMO (although a surprising number of people don't have it).

[Mosman]

I don't think emigrating is ever easy, the first two years seem to be the worse where ever you go and if you come back people have moved on with their own lives whilst you've been having an adventure.
Hubby announced just now he loves Perth so that appears to be that unless he gets eaten by one of the many sharks circling the locality.

[Snazzynewyear]

Sharks do seem particularly drawn to Perth! Of course there is a downside to living anywhere.

[ben5]

emmyloo like you I love Perth. I love the schools. Mine are in state and couldn't ask for better. Private is alot cheaper than UK and is an option for high school. There are private and state I'm looking at for my schools. Mosman your views on Perth are the same as I have for Scotland!!! and probable the ones my mum had for chedddar in Somerset!!
Not to sure where the talk of sharks came from but there have been more deaths on roads than shark attacks but we aren't killing all drivers !!! but this is a different thred!!

[Juustanothermnetter]

Melbourne is brilliant. Weather is hot in summer and mild in spring /autumn (low 20's) and cold in winter. I used to do day trips from Melbourne bayside to the ski fields - a long day but amazing to be able to decide to ski tomorrow and just go do it. It's also amazing to be able to walk down to the beach/go sailing in the summer.

It's very expensive to live, housing is particularly expensive and you need a car as public transport is nowhere near England standard. I'd also advise private eduction for high school but costs can be affordable much more so than uk.

Good luck! We are making the move back again ina couple of years and I can't wait!!

[WhataSook]

I agree with Juust, Melbourne is great! I've also lived in Sydney and Brisbane and what I like about Melbourne is you get seasons, something you definitely dont get in Brisbane and Sydney's winter was about 4 weeks of cool weather!

I cant wait to move back either....18 months and counting

[Tortoiseonthehalfshell]

Lastofthepodpeople, start your thread and I will happily come and be opinionated on it for you. There's a few MNetters in Adelaide, or at least there used to be; a few years ago about 8 of us met up for dinner so there'll be a few of us who can help.

[LIttleMissTickles]

I agree with Ben5 and Emmyloo. On the whole, Perth is a fantastic place to live.
We have moved internationally several times, have been in state and private schools etc. I really wanted Melbourne instead of Perth with the Australian move, because it does feel so much more like 'home' (European). But our time in Perth has been extremely happy.

Children are in local state school (and I love that there is no need for fencing, and they can just walk home - they are told to return to teacher if parent is not around, if that is the norm for them), while awaiting private school place. State school has been perfectly adequate, extending them where possible. There are elements of London school I preferred, but generally we are happy with their school, and so are they.

Health system is good. My DH takes train to work, it is air conditioned, regular, never delayed due to pollen, heat, sand, sharks, whatever. Best of all is the active lifestyle. DC are involved at life saving club etc, its so good to see hundreds of children running and swimming and having fun, instead of being behind closed doors. Of course they are lathered in sunblock, hats on etc.

That said, there is no denying that the cultural side of life is not much appreciated here (maybe we're in the wrong area for that?). When any show comes to Perth, you have to seize the moment! We've travelled to Asia a few times from here, as its so close, and airline sales make it quite affordable.

To Mosman I would say, the new arrivals that I know who have needed childcare places, have only managed by phoning and visiting every few days, generally making a nuisance of themselves. Good luck!

[StupidFlanders]

The only advice I could offer would be to ask people who LIKE where they live to explain why.

I learnt this tip when someone was explaining how she chose a school for her dd.

Some people are negative and have had bad isolated experiences which colour their perception of the whole place. Ask what people like about the place and see if it resonates with you.

[EIizaDay]

Serious question here to the people saying "it's laid back". What do you mean?
Please give me some examples.

[LIttleMissTickles]

'Laid back' = casual wear and flip flops are acceptable at all times, people are friendly and never in a hurry (this can and will annoy any Londoner, but you do get used to it) so the check out staff will have a chat, whether you're running late or not. Basically any pretentious habits will be lost very quickly.

[Thumbwitch]

"never in a hurry" - this applies to tradies a lot of the time as well, in our experience! but then the same could be said of UK tradesmen so no real difference.

[saffronwblue]

Don't wear casual clothes and flip flops (thongs) in a corporate setting! There are some yummy mummies done to the nines outside particular school gates.

Treat others as equals, even in service settings. Get in the front seat next to the taxi driver.

OP do you prefer living in rural settings or cities? Do you prefer dry heat to tropical? I would consider these preferences before choosing which bit of Australia to live in.

[EIizaDay]

Mmm well I wouldn't say wearing flip flops and casual wear = laid back, I'd say it was sloppy a lot of the time. I've been on many a flight and can spot the "laid back" Aussies who turn up dressed for the beach (vest, little shorts and flip flops)

I live in Brisbane and to say there is no pretentiousness makes me . IME a lot of the service industries here (shops, restaurants etc) seem to look down on the customer. This "hiya guys" to my elderly parents-in-laws wasn't really appreciated. My MIL went in to a shop and it was "Hiya, how are you going? What you up to this weekend?"

I've spent many years in Australia and am still confused about where this "laid back" tag comes from unless it means that people are constantly late for meetings (but then again I'd use another word for that).

[Napsalot]

Laid back to me is not having life full of the hustle and bustle of a big city -trains aren't over crowded, people go to the beach or for a walk after work, generally on less of a timetable of rushing places. Doesn't mean that you are not on time for meetings or should lower your standard of dress.

And Mosman I too wanted to add that I found (fulltime) daycare at the last minute in Australia by calling around. Just in case that helps.

[SillyOldHector]

We moved for a year to secret harbour in Perth where dh was a gp. I can honestly say it was the most fabulous and miserable one year ive had in equal measure. Gut wrenching homesickness, the hell that is private rental. The nightmare of trying to get good school places. The fab side was having more family time together. Dh walked to work, surgery was by the sea. Now he lives away during the week and works in a black country practice. We had a great time exploring the region. I do wonder what life would be like now if i had stuck it out, but the homesickness came as a huge shock to me and i wasnt prepared to see how i felt in 5 years time, when realistically, because of dh's profession we would have reached the point of no return. Dh misses Perth, i do too, but ultimately i think we made the right decision to come back. Moving overseas is a huge decision to make, especially in your 40s. We were able to leave our house, furniture and cars behind when we moved so it would be easier to come back. Perth is beautiful but i can agree with quite a lot of what Mosman has said. If we had our time again i think Melbourne might have suited us more.

[ClaudiaSchiffer]

If I could live anywhere in Australia - this is fantasy as I'm assuming money is no object, it'd probably be some 'mazin' harbourside palace in Sydney or Toorak mansion in Melbourne. I think I'd be perfectly content with either city.

However, I live in Adelaide. . The upsides of which are . . .

Lovely climate - think southern Europe - hot dry summers, cool wet winters.

Manageable (small) city - some may call it dull (me), but it is lovely to be able to drive into the city center and park and shop easily.

Reasonably affordable housing, well compared to Syd/Melb/Perth.

Proximity to glorious wineries.

Er . . . prob lots more.

To wade into the education debate, I think the standards here are lower at an equivalent age than in the UK ie my 7.7 yr old daughter is just about to start Year 2 whereas in the UK she would be part way though Year 3 (I think) and the subsequent expectations for a year 2 rather than a year 3 are lower iyswim.

My 5.4 yr old is in Reception FOR ANOTHER WHOLE YEAR. This quite pisses me off. But hey ho.

[Tortoiseonthehalfshell]

(Hello!)