WHERE TO MOVE TO IN AUSTRALIA Q&A
When moving to Australia, you may get to the stage of choosing where to live and feeling a blank! You look at the map in horror, because how on earth are you meant to choose! However daunting this task may same, it’s not as hard as it seems once you start deciding what you want your new life to look like and start eliminating from that. DISCLAIMER – While we do our best to give accurate information, please always consult professionals rather than taking our word for it. Processes will vary between states.
I WAS THINKING OF PERTH FOR THE TEMPERATURES AND AFFORDABILITY, BUT IT’S FAR AWAY FROM EVERYWHERE ELSE. IS BRISBANE MUCH HOTTER AND MORE EXPENSIVE?
Perth is a little cooler and wetter in the winter, but they don’t seem to get the wet season in summer like we do here in QLD. Overall the temperatures don’t look too different, but Perth doesn’t get so humid like Brisbane, it’s more of a dry heat.
On average it certainly looks like you can get more house for your money in Perth, although prices obviously vary between suburbs. Check out realestate.com or Domain to see prices in particular suburbs.
WE’RE MOVING FROM SYDNEY, BRISBANE AND WA ARE OUR CHOICES. WE WANT THE AUSSIE FEEL AND A HOSPITAL!
You’ll definitely get a hospital in either city! Coming from Sydney, you may find Brisbane easier to adapt to, as it’s not so isolated, but I guess it depends what you’re moving for. The great thing about Perth is that you have the outback to one side, and then beaches to the other, so you are certainly in the middle of the Aussie feels! With Brisbane, there is a lot more around you, it’s less isolated.
WHERE IS THE BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY PLACE TO LIVE IN QUEENSLAND WITH GOOD SCHOOLS ETC?
There’s heaps of family friendly places in Queensland, and it’s a really big place! Narrow down your search by looking at your other priorities first. Looking into the future, somewhere where there is good transport for when your kids get older would be useful so they can be more independent. Check out this video on narrowing down the search for where to settle.
I UNDERSTAND YOU GUYS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE SUNSHINE COAST DUE TO ALL OF THE TRAVELLING? AS SOMEONE WHO IS LOOKING TO MOVE TO THE SUNNY COAST WITH 2 GIRLS, WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE GOLD COAST MORE?
We’re moving back to the Coast as we currently live in the hinterland.
I wouldn’t recommend one more that the other, I love the Goldie and I love the Sunny Coast. The Goldie is more lively and modern. The Sunny Coast is a bit more laid back and I guess kind of old school. It’s a great place to raise a family.
WHEN PURCHASING PROPERTY WHAT IS THE % DEPOSIT REQUIRED, AND IS THERE A FIRST TIME BUYER LIKE THE UK?
For a mortgage you usually need at least 5% deposit, but if you have at least 20% you won’t need to get mortgage insurance.
If you mean the deposit that you place when you have an offer accepted on a property, then that’s up to you what deposit you offer. You set the terms when you place an offer on a property, and it is up to the sellers if they wish to accept, decline or negotiate.
In Australia you can get a first home owner grant if building a new home – it looks like it’s $10-15k at the moment – there are some stipulations, such as how much the value of the property can be, again this varies between states. There are also some benefits for first time buyers when it comes to stamp duty. Use this calculator that you can pop your details into, it will let you know what your fees will be and what you’re entitled do.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE ON THE SUNSHINE COAST FOR A SINGLE 30 YEAR OLD?
If I was young, carefree, single and on the Sunshine Coast, I’d be in Maroochydore, it’s the CBD of the Sunny Coast. There’s a bit more going on in Maroochydore, there’s Ocean Street, which is the main area for bars and restaurants, the Plaza shopping centre and there’s also stunning beaches.
