Possibly Moving to Queensland

[angela]

Hi all,

My husband and I have just return from our holidays in Port Douglas, Qld. We loved it. The weather was great 26Deg and that's in winter. I just loved the lifestyle and relaxed atmosphere. I would dearly love to moving to Qld, to which suburb we are not sure. Though not as far north as Port Douglas. A bit concerned about the wet season with the high rainfall and humidity.

My husband has a lawn mowing / gardening business. He also has 26 yrs experience in the truck industry. I am experienced as a secretary/personal assistant.

Any ideas about the ideal location for lifestyle and work?
With our occupations, would we be able to find work easily and how should be start our search.

I have come a bit depressed since arriving back home to Melbourne to cold, darkness and rain. I would prefer to the sunny climate of qld.

All responses will be appreciated.

Angela

[Javaira]

My mistake in moving to Brisbane was the idea that the feeling I get when on holiday here would exist when living here. It doesn't.

The weather is great, but it really doesn't make a huge impact on my life, especially when I was working as I was still stuck inside an airconditioned building all day. The temperature in one of those is the same every where.

Lots of good reasons to live here, but don't make the mistake of thinking good weather makes everything shiny.

South east QLD is growing fast, so there is plenty of work, especially for people with training. There is also a shortage of gardeners in inner brisbane, especially during Autumn, Spring and Summer. I know I went through a hell of a time trying to get one.

The problem with this growth is that it is too fast. The infrastructure is always playing catch up. Power, Water and the Health system are all in a bit of a mess. These things you take for granted in other cities and don't notice when you are on holiday here.

In Brisbane I have noticed that property near the coast is similar in price to the inner city, perhaps even more expensive. People really want to live near the beach, they move here for that lifestyle and a lot of people commute to the city for work.

I would suggest moving to an affluent part of the sunshine coast, as you will be close to the beach and still clost to shopping centres and schools. Your husband will probably find a lot of work mowing all the busy rich commuters lawns and there seem to be a lot of them.

If you live in Brisbane the beaches aren't quite as acessable, but still not that far.

I am not sure I dig on the relaxed atmosphere, things seem a tad to relaxed for my liking, but it is unlikely you will feel the same. I found QLD culture to be very different to the ACT and Victoria, but you may like those differences, I found it hard to adjust.

Oh and it gets bloody hot in summer.

In the end though I am staying here because of the history, because of the opportunities the growth brings, because of my family, because it is close to the beach and mostly because it made me try things outside of my comfort zone.

[Xythan]

I really, really love Bane of Bris...but, I reserved it for holiday time only...I never wanted it to lose that quality it has for me, so I didn't want to live there, the common becomes mundane, the mundane becomes something other than that special wonder...

[jasebert]

I only just moved up here. Basically my lessons that I learnt were
You can never organise your move enough, especially if you have animals.
It is heaps more laid back than where I was from. Basically it means that people are more sociable (the people that I have met are), but it can mean that when it comes to service they do take allot longer because they are more relaxed.
There is a skills shortage up here like you would not believe. They can not employ people fast enough in almost any occupation.
The traffic here is not that bad. The roads can be a bit funny, but nothing too bad, if you are used to Melb, you will be ok here.

I have been here for almost one month and I am not regretting it.

[bronco]

If your hubby has a lawn mowing business, I would recommend around Innisfail... He'll be one busy little boy. I don't think you'll have trouble getting a job where ever you go

If your looking for somewhere not quite as hot or wet as Port Douglas, I would recommend somewhere near Mackay. There are a million mines around the area, so your husband, with his experience, could pick up a job without trying.

You could try Townsville. It's a shithouse place to visit, but a really good place to live. It only rains a few months of the year, so it is a lot dryer than up north, but there are some beautiful spots near water, whether the ocean, lake or the river. And because Townsville is so flat, it is great for bike riding. It is a actually a really sporty place.

[rocketclock]

I would have to agree with bronco, Townsville is the place to live. I personally live up on the Atherton Tablelands but I have friends I visit frequently who go to uni in Townsville. I love it.

Perfect climate, not too busy but not full of redneck hicks such as myself. I'm planning on going to uni there in 2008 (I know I'm a youngin'). The beaches are excellent and it's a fairly well maintained and neat city... Better than Melbourne ;)

[Salted_Chipmunk]

Yeah if he has a lawn mowin business Brisbane is not the place at the moment for at least another few years. We wont have lawns in about 3 months due to the water shortage.

Goddamn it people jsut use recycled water, its not going to hurt you and it would save the fucking dams a lot of stress.

[Maleficent]

I can personally recommend both Mackay and Townsville. I used to live in Townsville (parents still do) but now live in Mackay. I love it here. :)

[vantastic]

It seems its human nature on display here. No one is happy where they currently are, and always want to be somewhere else...

[sciwra]

Well I'm happy here, Townsville is a nice quiet place to live. It's a bit more stable especially for employment as compared to Cairns/Port Douglas which is very focussed on tourism. Some of the smaller areas can also be good, Charters Towers, Ayr, Ingham etc Mind you these might be too small if you're used to the capital cities.
You might want to visit during summer before making a decision though. I know people who have moved up here, then moved back straight after experiencing one of our lovely summers.

[Maleficent]

lol.. lovely is one word for them. ;) I found the humidity to be a killer when I first moved to NQ but I'm used to it now.

[bronco]

It seems its human nature on display here. No one is happy where they currently are, and always want to be somewhere else...
I don't agree completely. Most people in this thread from Qld seem to be happy where they live.

But I do agree that some of the sea change stuff going on at the moment is a bit over the top. Leaving the city suburbs for a more relaxing lifestyle in the crowded beachside suburbs.

[glarbnaught]

I would definitely recommend anywhere from Sarina through to Airlie Beach (where I am). Mackay is a really good spot and the general area has an ass load of beaches to relax at. Your husband while he could easily keep going with the Lawn Mowing Business but would probably get in to any one of the mines that are in the area and be better of for it. Most are on a 4 day on 4 day off rotation around here, so plenty of time for enjoying the life style. As for yourself, well there are plenty of those type of jobs as well.

Townsville is also good place to live and I also recommend it. Just depends on your hobbies and interests as to where you want to go.

[Salted_Chipmunk]

It seems its human nature on display here. No one is happy where they currently are, and always want to be somewhere else...

Im very happy to live in Brisbane. It's an easy drive to either of the coasts, there is plenty for me to do. It takes a while but it does grow on you.

[Maleficent]

if you're looking at buying, apparently Bowen is going ahead in leaps and bounds and the market is relatively cheap compared to Townsville & Mackay. I can't remember what it is but there is something coming to the area that will increase jobs, therefore increasing the population, therefore increasing the price of property. We're seriously thinking about buying an investment property there but not before I do some research.

[Maleficent]

So there ARE other zGeeks in my area? ;)

[Sashasword]

Living anywhere in QLD must be better than living in VIC, and all those other cold, hellish places.

Queensland is the place to be.
I like living in Brisbane, and would be hard pressed to live outside of it. I like living close to the city with all of it's pretty lights, and Southbank markets, and in my area, (in the suburbs) we are surrounded by this triangle of major shopping centres to take your pick from - although Toombul is a bit of a shithole. Chermside is better. :)

I know all this sheds no light on employment oppurtunities, but just thought I'd share my opinion about where I live anyway, just in case you care. :)

I really love living in Brisbane! It's great!

[Scumbag]

I would have to agree with bronco, Townsville is the place to live. I personally live up on the Atherton Tablelands but I have friends I visit frequently who go to uni in Townsville. I love it.

Perfect climate, not too busy but not full of redneck hicks such as myself.

Are you serious ?

I must admit I havnt lived in Townsville, only visited, but I found it chock a block full of rednecks - in comparison to Cairns anyhow. My mate nearly got beaten up a few times in pubs just cause he had dreadlocks & dressed like a bit of a hippie. I think the army base there has a lot to do with the large influx of bogans looking to get drunk & start fights. I didnt find the place all that attractive either.

I really love Cairns though, The fact that its more or less a tourist town gives it much more of an international & mixed & exciting vibe than most other towns. Yet not over the top Gold Coast style. I actually want to move there permanently within the next 5 - 10 years.

I work in IT & I refuse to work in the private sector, so job oppurtunities would be fairly slim id imagine. Captain cook uni Cairns campus is an attractive option though. :)