Moving to Australia? CP Advice Needed!

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

Don't listen to the haters, Melbourne is amazing. So much culture and stuff to do, plus it has the best public transport system in just about any city I've ever been to.

I've lived in Brisbane as well, that would be my choice if you're a family man. So many Beutiful beaches to take the kids to, and the weather I found was very hot but having lived in Canada all my life, the heat was a refreshing change.

My 2c.

FYI I currently live in Melbourne.

Man, I love Melbourne, but the public transport system is awful and overpriced. And that shambles over their version of an Oyster Card happened when I was there. But at least they got rid of Connex - awful company.

My brother is always bitching about the trains there. Serves him right, he should use the cycle network which is pretty decent.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Everything I know about Australia I learned from the Simpsons. You guys have ####ed up corporal punishment.

[Mad Mel]

I admit that I'm biased toward Brisbane, but if it helps with your decision process, here's the weather forecast for this week.

Forecast for Tuesday
Fine. Light to moderate W to NW winds.

Precis: Fine. City: Min 10 Max 21 Bayside: Min 9 Max 22
UV Alert from 10:20 am to 1:20 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]

Wednesday Mostly fine, possible shower. Min 9 Max 21
Thursday Fine. Min 10 Max 21
Friday Fine. Min 11 Max 21
Saturday Fine. Min 9 Max 19
Sunday Fine. Min 7 Max 20
Monday Fine. Min 6 Max 21

Not bad for the dead of winter.

[icarus]

Having lived in Sydney and having been to all the cities listed, I'd probably rate my own order of preference as:

1. Melbourne
2. Brisbane
3. Perth
4. Adelaide

Melbourne is buzzy, the biggest city on the list and the best selection of bars, restaurants, shopping, etc.

Brisbane is a bit quieter but still lots of variety and is ideally situated to take advantage of the Gold Coast (with its amusement parks) and beaches, which is something teenage children might appreciate. My fiancee is from there and she hates it but I think that's largely just hometown ambivalence; I think she secretly likes it, she just doesn't want to live there again.

Perth is a lovely city, enough going on to prevent it from being boring, would be a nice place to raise a family. Maybe it's a bit isolated but the south coast of Western Australia is awesome to go for holidays, or fly up to Broome for the tropical experience.

Adelaide is pretty sleepy, but probably a good family city although teenage kids might hate it as it is probably too sleepy. Maybe if they were younger it'd be okay, but they'll get bored too easily if they're in their teens.

You might be surprised at how far away the beach is from the CBD (downtown) areas in all four of these cities. Whereas Bondi Beach is about a 20 minute bus ride from Sydney's CBD, in the rest of Australia's capital cities you've got a bit further to go. But then again you can find a suburban home that is closer to the beach than to the CBD if that's what you value.

If you and your wife like wine, all of these cities except Brisbane are located close to major wine growing regions which is always fun for a weekend getaway. Brisbane is ideally located to take advantage of the Queensland resort towns like Noosa and Airlie Beach. Melbourne is the best spot if you want to ski in the winter although you'd be better off flying to New Zealand to do that.

[Mad Mel]

Perth is similarly close to the beach, but yeah, it is a drive from Brisbane. Sunshine Coast is nicer than Gold Coast, IMO.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

I admit that I'm biased toward Brisbane, but if it helps with your decision process, here's the weather forecast for this week.

Not bad for the dead of winter.

I think most Canadians moving to Brisbane would be concerned about the weather in the summer (ie. our winter) being too hot, and would find the winter (right now) very pleasant.

In January when the average high is ~30 degrees, it's 25 degrees by 9AM, and there are 16cm of rain in the month ==humidity, I know I would find that unpleasant.

Source: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_040214.shtml

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Perth is similarly close to the beach, but yeah, it is a drive from Brisbane. Sunshine Coast is nicer than Gold Coast, IMO.

Sunshine Coast/Hinterland/Glass House Mountains are all way better than the Gold Coast, but the Gold Coast would be more fun for the OP's teenage kids.

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I think most Canadians moving to Brisbane would be concerned about the weather in the summer (ie. our winter) being too hot, and would find the winter (right now) very pleasant.

In January when the average high is ~30 degrees, it's 25 degrees by 9AM, and there are 16cm of rain in the month ==humidity, I know I would find that unpleasant.

Source: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_040214.shtml

Yeah, 30 degrees and sunny blows. I agree.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Yeah, 30 degrees and sunny blows. I agree.

You know what? It does sometimes.

http://www.skincancer.gov.au/interne...Content/fact-2

[killer_carlson]

From also having been to all these cities I would agree with Icarus' order.

Melbourne is great - especially for a sports fan.
I really enjoyed Perth, but inevitably your family will want to travel around Australia and see the sites. The East coast is where much of the travel destinations are, which gives Brisbane the head's up over Perth.
Adelaide I didn't like at all.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Yeah, 30 degrees and sunny blows. I agree.

30 was the average high during the summer, so it's hotter than that a lot of the time. I would say anything above 32-34 is pretty uncomfortable. And the record high for Brisbane is over 41 degrees, which wouldn't be fun.

[Mad Mel]

Day-to-day summer weather in Brisbane is fantastic. It does take a season to get acclimated, and when it's really hot, the only good place to be is the beach. But anything from the low-30's on down is fine once you're used to it. Even when it's stinkin' hot in the afternoon, the mornings and evenings are still very nice.

Take it from someone who has spent 3 summers and four winters - it's nice to be able to spend lots of time outdoors, regardless of season.

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by fotze

What is supply chain management. Have that department, not a clue what it means? Purchasing or something.

Redslinger sounds like a nice guy but I'm secretly hoping my company isn't hiring his company because it sounds like more crap we don't need (and we already have enough of that where I work). Other than that Brisbane is incredible (live here now) and I wake up every day with an ear to ear smile on my face. . Mad Mel knows his stuff when it comes to Brissy as he answered my questions when I came down.

If you have any questions about lafha or anything else feel free to fire it my way.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Day-to-day summer weather in Brisbane is fantastic. It does take a season to get acclimated, and when it's really hot, the only good place to be is the beach. But anything from the low-30's on down is fine once you're used to it. Even when it's stinkin' hot in the afternoon, the mornings and evenings are still very nice.

Take it from someone who has spent 3 summers and four winters - it's nice to be able to spend lots of time outdoors, regardless of season.

I spent some time in Queensland last August (so winter there) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Being outside in shorts during what was "winter" was awesome. I would definitely have a tough time acclimating to summers that were that hot, especially if it gets humid. Obviously this varies by person, but it's something to keep in mind.

[Red Slinger]

Bump/update...

I have accepted a job offer in Perth and am awaiting client approval and 457 visa acceptance.

Thanks to those that have helped me in making this decision!

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Red Slinger

Bump/update...

I have accepted a job offer in Perth and am awaiting client approval and 457 visa acceptance.

Thanks to those that have helped me in making this decision!

Congrats! Now how about that plan with my ex and the hungry crocs?

[afc wimbledon]

I don't know bugger all about Australia but as an expat Brit I will say you will want to be close to an airport that flies direct to Canada, you and your family will be doing the trip every few years and the last thing you are going to want to do is get off a 23 hour flight in Melbourne (I assume) and then get on a 6 hour flight to somewhere else.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Red Slinger

Bump/update...

I have accepted a job offer in Perth and am awaiting client approval and 457 visa acceptance.

Thanks to those that have helped me in making this decision!

Congrats. Now you can stop pronouncing the letter "R" at the end of words.

[Montagna]

Congrats! Ive been in Aussie 3 months now and am loving every minute of it. Definitely thinking of extending my contract.