vanSchoorFamily Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Thinking its a good idea to hear from the long timers where the best place is to settle in OZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXB2OZ Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Can of worms. It's a bit like asking which is better in SA - Cape Town or Jhb?Personally have only visited three cities (hoping to do some more travel over time), Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and found something to love in each of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Howdy, Afraid you'll have to provide more detail about what you're after - there's something for everybody, but people's ideas of what is a good place to live varies a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Alice Springs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanSchoorFamily Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Can of worms. It's a bit like asking which is better in SA - Cape Town or Jhb?Personally have only visited three cities (hoping to do some more travel over time), Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and found something to love in each of them.Haha, true ... Howdy,Afraid you'll have to provide more detail about what you're after - there's something for everybody, but people's ideas of what is a good place to live varies a lot.Well, hubby wants to be close to the beach, like CPT with DBN weather. I was looking at melbourne as my family is there, yet that doesn't matter anymore. We want to settle close to the beach with good schooling for the kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Would you like a job and affordable rent to go with that? 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel-B Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 LOL @ Mara 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel-B Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 After much research we have chosen Melbourne as our place to stay. This was based on 2 major facts: 1 job opportunities for husband who is in IT. 2 Affordability compared to Sydney. It helps that Melbourne was voted friendliest city and best city to live. But that's not the reasons. Weather is not a major factor for us as we will adapt to that. When its nice outside, go outside. When its not, don't. Beaches look pretty nice everywhere. Although I hear nice things about Sydney and Brisbane beaches. The vibe in Melbourne seems nice to us. Although this is purely based on 5 years of research, going to see for ourselves REAL SOON. 1 week!~! JIPPEE.So it does depend on many things: your career is probably the largest factor. You need to be where you can work. After that is probably affordability of housing prices vs what your income potential will be. Only after that should you worry about beaches/weather/etc etc. ALTHOUGH that being said there are people who have moved again due to weather. But that really is such a personal like or dislike its hard to comment on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanSchoorFamily Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 After much research we have chosen Melbourne as our place to stay. This was based on 2 major facts: 1 job opportunities for husband who is in IT. 2 Affordability compared to Sydney. It helps that Melbourne was voted friendliest city and best city to live. But that's not the reasons. Weather is not a major factor for us as we will adapt to that. When its nice outside, go outside. When its not, don't. Beaches look pretty nice everywhere. Although I hear nice things about Sydney and Brisbane beaches. The vibe in Melbourne seems nice to us. Although this is purely based on 5 years of research, going to see for ourselves REAL SOON. 1 week!~! JIPPEE.So it does depend on many things: your career is probably the largest factor. You need to be where you can work. After that is probably affordability of housing prices vs what your income potential will be. Only after that should you worry about beaches/weather/etc etc. ALTHOUGH that being said there are people who have moved again due to weather. But that really is such a personal like or dislike its hard to comment on that.Thank you for your honest opinion and good luck on your journey I also believe that Melbourne will be our destination ... will just have to wait and see what happens. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Better system than throwing a dart at the map 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Sorry if my earlier comment was a bit tongue in the cheek! My best advice, always, is to go where the jobs are in your field of expertise. Once you are earning Dollars, everything else will fall into place. When you arrive, you will be renting, so the chances are that you will move house a couple of times before you end up buying. If you have children I would stress that you try and rent in an area where you can afford to one day buy otherwise you will have to move your children from everything they have become familiar with. This could be quite traumatic for them after having to adjust after the move from RSA. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanSchoorFamily Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Sorry if my earlier comment was a bit tongue in the cheek! My best advice, always, is to go where the jobs are in your field of expertise. Once you are earning Dollars, everything else will fall into place. When you arrive, you will be renting, so the chances are that you will move house a couple of times before you end up buying. If you have children I would stress that you try and rent in an area where you can afford to one day buy otherwise you will have to move your children from everything they have become familiar with. This could be quite traumatic for them after having to adjust after the move from RSA.Thank you Mara and I agree with you. I didn't mean anything by the beach and weather. I was merely stating the argument between hubby and I, but at the end of the day, we have to wait and see where he will be offered a Job and then settle from there.Thanks for all the advise everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsta Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Would you like a job and affordable rent to go with that?Don't forget the 20min drive to work in peek hour traffic. And a choice of seats on the train, if you decide not to drive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Lots of people choosing Melbourne lately. It's not a bad spot. Plenty of positives, including earning ability and lots to do. I would say that one of the down-sides is - it doesn't have great beaches nearby - plenty around the place but you have to travel to get to them.(Drive 2 hours and you'll find some of the most stunning beaches in the world! )Melbourne is huge, and it can be a pain to get across. Suburbs vary greatly, so at least there is something for everyone. If you can't find a suburb that suits you, you haven't seen them all! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I have to agree with Hansa above. There is something for everyone in Melbourne. Listening to what other people think of an area can sometimes be very misleading as you may have some very differing opinions.I live in Sunbury on the outskirts in the north west, it is wonderful for us and we love it here, however, I know of other forum members that have stayed here, worked in the city, and absolutely hated it due to the traveling. There is another person though, that has lived here for 20 years and travels by train daily, he says he has no problem with it. As it is the start of the metropolitan line, he always gets a seat and he is happy working on his laptop, whilst he travels. There is yet another couple where they settled here as they liked it so much, and then looked for work. Rents are cheaper and buying or building is affordable. Schools, I am told, are good and the lifestyle is excellent, yet it may still not be everyone's cup of tea. There are probably around 20 South African families living in the town.There is a huge divide between living on the east or the west of Melbourne. The east is very much more established, but also quite a bit more expensive, of course, depending on how close to the city you are. The west is more spread out, less established, but there are huge building programs taking place. With regard to schools, you may find more choice of good schools on the east rather than on the west. In saying that, it is not that the west does not have good schools, but because it is less established, there may not be as many as on the east.Living close to the sea in Melbourne, is a misnomer, Melbourne is not on the "sea" but built around the bay. Yes there are beaches on the bay, and some lovely ones that are very popular, like St Kilda, but there are no real waves so no surfing. In order to live near the sea, you would have to travel as Hansa said, about two hours to get to areas where you could surf, for instance. Now, like anywhere else in the world, the closer you are to water, of any kind, the more the cost to live there soars!I must also state, and this is just my personal opinion, I would be very wary of living in some of the outer suburbs on the east and west as there are many bordering onto national parks, which have beautiful and huge trees, that makes them very desirable, until the summer sets in and the fire season starts. We have lived through some devastating fires around Melbourne and for that reason I have learned that I definitely do not want to be near any huge gum trees! Thank you!I hope that you find what you are looking for and somewhere that you can be very happy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 "When the weather is good go out and when it is not don't"Careful of following that age old rule in Melbourne as you may not get out as often as you like. We did that when we first arrived but gave it up when we realised we would never go anywhere. Melbournians live by the mantra make your plans and then follow through. Raining a bit no worries, blowing a bit no worries, too hot wear a hat wear sunblock and drink water. We very seldom cancel due to the weather nowadays. Buy a good New Zealand wool jacket and you'll be fine. Wear thin layers underneath so that when you walk into a heated home or building you only need to take off one thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 "There is no such thing as bad weather... Only inappropriate clothing" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 If you don't like the weather in Melbourne wait 10-15 minutes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanSchoorFamily Posted August 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 wow, thanks guys ... now this was the type of answers i was looking forwhat an exciting venture its going to be to find our "home" townI have to agree with Hansa above. There is something for everyone in Melbourne. Listening to what other people think of an area can sometimes be very misleading as you may have some very differing opinions.I live in Sunbury on the outskirts in the north west, it is wonderful for us and we love it here, however, I know of other forum members that have stayed here, worked in the city, and absolutely hated it due to the traveling. There is another person though, that has lived here for 20 years and travels by train daily, he says he has no problem with it. As it is the start of the metropolitan line, he always gets a seat and he is happy working on his laptop, whilst he travels. There is yet another couple where they settled here as they liked it so much, and then looked for work. Rents are cheaper and buying or building is affordable. Schools, I am told, are good and the lifestyle is excellent, yet it may still not be everyone's cup of tea. There are probably around 20 South African families living in the town.There is a huge divide between living on the east or the west of Melbourne. The east is very much more established, but also quite a bit more expensive, of course, depending on how close to the city you are. The west is more spread out, less established, but there are huge building programs taking place. With regard to schools, you may find more choice of good schools on the east rather than on the west. In saying that, it is not that the west does not have good schools, but because it is less established, there may not be as many as on the east.Living close to the sea in Melbourne, is a misnomer, Melbourne is not on the "sea" but built around the bay. Yes there are beaches on the bay, and some lovely ones that are very popular, like St Kilda, but there are no real waves so no surfing. In order to live near the sea, you would have to travel as Hansa said, about two hours to get to areas where you could surf, for instance. Now, like anywhere else in the world, the closer you are to water, of any kind, the more the cost to live there soars!I must also state, and this is just my personal opinion, I would be very wary of living in some of the outer suburbs on the east and west as there are many bordering onto national parks, which have beautiful and huge trees, that makes them very desirable, until the summer sets in and the fire season starts. We have lived through some devastating fires around Melbourne and for that reason I have learned that I definitely do not want to be near any huge gum trees! Thank you!I hope that you find what you are looking for and somewhere that you can be very happy!Thank you for your input ... this was set out very well ... everything i needed and wanted to hear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Happy that this helped you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel-B Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Hahaha @ weather comments I am so excited to experience it myself. I long for days when the weather is the biggest problem I have to deal with. Currently not enjoying sunny SA as all our hang out holes have been armed robbed lately. So not going anywhere. Call me a sissie or whatever. 7 sleepies until I fly to Melbourne!How is the weather by the way?! I'm planning to pack for layering clothing to add or discard at will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Not too bad at the moment, about 13C, but earlier it was freezing. All the Aussies are complaining about the cold. Working in Brissie next week, and looking forward to loosing the extra and under layers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXB2OZ Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Get thermals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Not too bad at the moment, about 13C, but earlier it was freezing. All the Aussies are complaining about the cold. Working in Brissie next week, and looking forward to loosing the extra and under layers.When we lived in Adelaide people did nothing but moan about the heat. It's like they were allergic to warm weather. Sunny we are in for a beautiful weekend in Bris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I only land Monday am ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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