Which would you choose and why?... Auckland, Sydney or Melbourne

[Ohladedah]

I'm a NZer as have been in the UK for 14 years, my partner is English and we've decided that we're moving from London to NZ or Australia in about 2 years. Now that it's becoming more define we need to think about where. Any advice?

We have 3 kids, currently 7, 3 & 8 months. We're moving to have a change of lifestyle, obviously. We both commute an hour each way into central London and have relatively senior roles. I think I could get into the job market easily enough any of those cities, maybe at a lower level initially. My partner is in Finance in the property sector and might find it a bit more difficult initially. We will look to buy a house once we've settled (and assuming our house value survives brexit).

Priorities are good climate, access to beaches and outdoor activities, good schools, decent job prospects (both happy to take a step down for lifestyle resons), a decent commute, diverse culture as we love that about London, interesting events both family stuff and concerts etc.

Thoughts?

It is a bit harsh to say that Melbourne beaches are unspeakable. They are not dazzling like Sydney but they can be lovely.
This beach is in Mordialloc, about 40 mins drive from the Melbourne CBD.

Sydney.

Better weather, better quality of life, far more to do than in Melbourne. Plus, Melbourne is experiencing quite a big increase in gang-related and terror-related crime at the moment, particularly in the suburbs. It's on the news every other day.

Sydney is the most expensive of the three, of course, so you would have to factor that in.

Is your DH English kiwi or Australian?

Auckland is unbelievably expensive. It's damp and the houses are not built for the weather. It's got almost nothing in the way of culture. It's basically some stunning geography with an ugly city dumped on top.

Wellington! We love it here! Lots of senior government roles which pay well, great culture in terms of the arts, food and just general friendliness, and the houses cost less.

Of your three choices, definitely Melbourne. Such a vibrant city. Aus job market harder to break into then NZ though I think.

He’s English confused, says so in the op.

SuperBeagle interested to know what you mean by more to do than in Melbourne? I would say they are similar culturally.

To be honest for me, neither Sydney or Melbourne compare to London!

Sydney has exorbitant house prices so renting might be your only option. It's busy and difficult commutes.

Melbourne I am not sure of.
Auckland is pricey compared to Syd and Melb but not better.

I live in Brisbane, I think it's the best. Would you consider Brisbane?

Interested to know what you mean by more to do than in Melbourne? I would say they are similar culturally.

Melbourne is tiny compared with Sydney. It's a lovely city, don't get me wrong, and it's easier to get around than Sydney, but there is certainly more to do in Sydney than there is in Melbourne. That's just part and parcel of Sydney being a "bigger" city.

Depends where your British partner is from. If Birmingham, Manchester, London or the SE Sydney is the only option. If, however, they are like me and come from a shire then Melbourne will probably make them happier, but need to consider jobs. Alot of ‘London/Brum/Manchester’ type jobs are only in the Sydney / Canberra area

Again, the gang warfare is a beatup from the tabloid media and right wing federal government. There is nothing I do differently in Melbourne from what I have ever done. Walk in parks, go out to dinner, send my teenage DC off on the tram.
The State government here is quite progressive - could of course get tipped out next election.

Saffron Well, statistically, the violent crime rate is higher in Melbourne than it is in Sydney, and it's increasing Melbourne and decreasing in Sydney. So it's not all a media beat up. Is it exaggerated? Probably. Is it a complete media farce? Absolutely not.

I live in Melbourne and don't know anything about gangs. Have never felt unsafe here, or even heard anyone talking about gang crime. Maybe it's in a particular part? News to me.

Sydney vvvvvv expensive. I hear New Zealand is one of the top places to raise kids.

I've lived in Sydney and Melbourne. I'd choose Sydney as its a fantastic city and the beaches are amazing, but only if your family income would be at least $250k plus or you have at least $1 million in equity in your current home. I say this as house prices are so expensive that for a 4 bedroom home in a goodish area within 30mins of the beach, with decent public transport and not too far from the city you'd be looking at several million dollars (for reference, 3 bedroom homes on smallish blocks sell for $1.7 million on my street in an ok suburb in the inner west). Otherwise I'd choose Melbourne as its a little cheaper but has much to offer - I love it!

If you are trying to escape a commute what about Canberra. Good job market, good housing, good schools, beach or snow two hours away.

Canberra is dire. It's my closest "city" at present, but I don't think you can really consider it a city, if you're comparing it to Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland. It's government job central, soulless, characterless, flat, hot as fuck in summer, cold as fuck in winter etc. I cannot see the appeal unless you're working a government job where that is your only option.

This beach is in Mordialloc, about 40 mins drive from the Melbourne CBD.
But that is 40min drive. I wouldn’t consider that close by in Auckland terms unless you are talking peak hour commute traffic distance. Central Auckland have Mission Bay and all the other beaches around that side. And that’s not even counting North Shore etc. There is also the harbour in the city centre.

I relive Manly area in Sydney too.

OP is moving from the UK to Melbourne, and we don’t know where they are moving from. If one of the cities, then I need to be blunt - any major UK city has a worse gang violence problem than what’s being reported in Melbourne at the moment.

I am finding some of the negativity about these cities baffling. Melbourne and Auckland are consistently rated in the top ten most liveable cities in the world and Sydney is not far off top ten either. Auckland has gangs in some areas - is there a city anywhere in the world that doesn't have gangs???

The fact is that all 3 of these cities by any objective measures such as safety, healthcare, environment etc are among the best in the world. OP - You are lucky (as I am) to have the problem of choosing between them

What's the climate like in Melbourne?

Rosewatersoap the climate in Melbourne is insane!! It's often said you'll experience all four seasons in one day, and we've found that to be true. It can be 39C at 10am then 21C at midday, then 35C again at 7pm. Bizarre. The other week it was so hot we had the air con on all night - but a few days later had the heating back on! I've lived all over the world and never seen a climate like it. Generally it's pleasant, but rainier than other Australian cities, properly cold in winter and properly hot in summer.

I’m a melbournian who grew up mostly in Sydney (aged 7-19). DH grew up in Canberra. We lived in Leicester for 4 months when we were first married and wanted a European base for a bit.

Melbourne weather is “interesting”. But it’s no where near as bad as sydneysiders claim. While it has a well deserved reputation for 3 seasons in any given day it actually isn’t too bad. Usually heatwaves break within 3-4 days, so there aren’t too many long periods of impossible heat. And while we do have a winter that lasts more than the month of July we expect highs of about 10-15 most days. Frost only very rarely. Beaches are not beaches by Sydney standards. We are in a bay. But if you aren’t interested in surfing and just want to walk along the sand we can offer that. Sydney is one of the worst places in the world to ride a bicycle, so keep that in mind if you have ever considered bike commuting.

Melbourne has a great art gallery and a very good theatre and music scene. While nothing stays open the length it can in a city like London, we have enough in various places that one could easily go out each week, more than once even. Plus we are getting Harry Potter and the cursed child.

House prices are going up everywhere. Sydney has become too expensive for the vast majority to afford to buy though.

If you are seriously considering Australia I would also suggest considering Adelaide. It’s less big city than your other options but has a big expat British population and cheaper real estate and a state school system that’s working more efficiently than Sydney’s. The weather there is more consistent than Melbourne’s too. I remember reading an advice blog about clothing and children that suggested keeping out only season appropriate weather. In Melbourne that’s a bit of a joke, it’s cold enough some summer evenings that wrapping up warmly will be a thing. And we get warm enough days even in bad winters that tshirts and shorts are possible.

I can’t comment on NZ. But I do agree with the people above who mention checking what you are entitled to here.

Also NZ has more poverty, but a humane government. Significantly more humane than the shit heads controlling our health, education, immigration policies.

LastAnni, there was a long drought when my first two were babies. Because events were almost never rained out it was easy for councils to quietly close many indoor communal spaces. Then we got our normal weather back.

It does rain often. Mostly at about 3.30pm, just in time for school pick up.

Arrggghhh. As I expected, loud of convicting opinions. But lots to think about, so thanks for sharing your thoughts.

We're coming from London, for those who asked.

I hadn't given much thought to what we'd be entitled to in Australia. I'll add that to our ever growing research list.

I'm conflicted, NZ would be easier being a kiwi and all, but Melbourne would be more us and Sydney has the beaches. I guess as we continue our research things will become clearer. I hope.