Which city in Australia?

BossArky

I have the opportunity of a permanent transfer to any of the major cities in Australia with work.

What city would you recommend and why? I have an idea but would like to get other opinions.

Jumpy

My biased self says Sydney

My humorous self says Hobart that way we can stick all de durrrty forrins on one island

Daithio

I think it depends what time of year you're going to be there. I think you'd be mad to miss Aussie summer in Sydney if you have the chance to be there for it. Melbourne has a lot to offer, but Sydney is really unique. My two cents...

_blank_

imo, Sydney is the "American" city, and Melbourne is the "European" city.

I found the pace in Sydney to be a bit much, there is a more laid back vibe in Melbourne.

But, the winter does really hit Melbourne at times.

Xavi6

Perth is your only man when it comes to the summer. The weather's unreal and it's got the best beaches and surf in Oz.

Can be a bit quiet in comparison to the fast paced bigger cities, but if you like a carefree and relaxed atmosphere then it's the one to pick.

m@cc@

Jumpy wrote: »

My biased self says Sydney

My humorous self says Hobart that way we can stick all de durrrty forrins on one island

I thought the majority of people in Australia were 'foreigners'.....

Daithio wrote: »

I think it depends what time of year you're going to be there. I think you'd be mad to miss Aussie summer in Sydney if you have the chance to be there for it. Melbourne has a lot to offer, but Sydney is really unique. My two cents...

Sydney is many things, but unique? It's a poor mans NYC.



In relation to the OP, it really depends on what you're looking from in a city. From meeting people in Australia, Melbourne is much more popular than Sydney as far as the major cities go. Granted the weather isn't as good as in Sydney but still much better than anywhere in Ireland.

brendansmith

Deffo Sydney,

Its the best by miles imho

The Sweeper

Sydney is the busty blonde. Melbourne's the interesting redhead. Depends what you're after really!

hussey

Yeah agree

Sydney is the big flash in your face
melbourne the cool city

I live in sydney and find it can be pretty pretentious, but there is always something to do.

And in the summer is fantastic,

Daithio

Xavi6 wrote: »

Perth is your only man when it comes to the summer. The weather's unreal and it's got the best beaches and surf in Oz.

Can be a bit quiet in comparison to the fast paced bigger cities, but if you like a carefree and relaxed atmosphere then it's the one to pick.

LOL

Daithio

m@cc@ wrote: »

I thought the majority of people in Australia were 'foreigners'.....



Sydney is many things, but unique? It's a poor mans NYC.



In relation to the OP, it really depends on what you're looking from in a city. From meeting people in Australia, Melbourne is much more popular than Sydney as far as the major cities go. Granted the weather isn't as good as in Sydney but still much better than anywhere in Ireland.

When was the last time you got a bus in 25 mins to one of the best beaches in the world from Times square? Have you been to either city? I struggle to find two that are more different to be honest.

m@cc@

Daithio wrote: »

When was the last time you got a bus in 25 mins to one of the best beaches in the world from Times square? Have you been to either city? I struggle to find two that are more different to be honest.

I have been to both cities and if you're talking about Bondi, then we need to talk no further. It's not even the best beach in Sydney and well, I'd be looking for something more in a city then the tackfest that is Bondi and it's surrounding area.

jank

Interesting that nobody has mentioned Brisbane, never been but thought it was an up and coming city....

Carry on.

m@cc@

jank wrote: »

Interesting that nobody has mentioned Brisbane, never been but thought it was an up and coming city....

Carry on.

Have you seen the temperatures they've been getting? It wouldn't sit well with a pasty Irishman.

crimsonfire

I've been living in Brisbane for the past year and a half and I love it here. Nice and chillaxed. The weather gets a bit much but I'm used to it by now. Just as hot as Sydney can get but more consistently hot with a lot more humidity. Still gets pretty chilly in the winter though. Down to 5 celsius in some parts. That's on par with Ireland ffs.

Used to live in Sydney with my sister for a few months and it was great for young red-blooded Irishman like myself (gorgeous women EVERYWHERE). Now that I've met a nice Aussie lass here in Brissy though thats all changed. So in short Sydneys good for the singleton social thing but Brissys just a nice place to live. The public transport is ****e unless you live about 15 minutes from the city though.

Larianne

Melbourne. So much happening there all the time. Arts, Music, Sport. They say it's the easiest city to settle into and live. Cost of living is slightly less than Sydney and has a more relaxed pace about it.

Only thing, winter can be quite BRrrrrrr... (Sydney gets cold too though!)

crimsonfire

Everywhere can get cold there. Maybe not in the extreme north though. I felt a little used when I experienced my first Aussie winter. All the ads on TV and Home and Away had me believe this place was sunny year round and there was no such thing as ugly women. I assumed they were put on a barge and set out to sea or something.

paddylast

in my opinion Sydney. the summers there are great. lots of beaches to choose from.

Melbourne does be colder when winter hits.

didnt think much of Adelaide. bored after 5mins there. apparently its retirementville. just full of parks.

Brisbane is nice and that bit warmer. no beach is its only downfall and with the great Oz weather the beach is great to grt to a the weekend

BossArky

Thanks everyone for your input.

I was leaning towards Melbourne myself before creating this thread. Will do some more research over the weekend.

Keep the advice coming

zootroid

Aside from Melbourne, I've only spent about a week in the other major cities. But I would highly recommend Melbourne. Lovely city, friendly people, and there's always something going on. It's a very easy place to live in, decent public transport, and not as expensive as Sydney.

I didn't really like Sydney. Although the opera house and harbour bridge are impressive (Sydney generally has better sights), I didn't really like the atmosphere. The people aren't as friendly. As for Bondi, its a hole.

Perth is ok, if a little on the quiet side.

I liked Brisbane, it seems like a cool, small city.

Adelaide is boring.

My 2 cents

crimsonfire

zootroid wrote: »

As for Bondi, its a hole.

Very very true.

The Sweeper

BossArky wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your input.

I was leaning towards Melbourne myself before creating this thread. Will do some more research over the weekend.

Keep the advice coming

Move to Melbourne. I'm sure I have a birthday coming up and we can find some truly random pub like the London Roadhouse and have a ridiculous night spending far too much money on expensive alcohol that everyone's too drunk to appreciate. Not that that's ever happened...

passive

I'm gonna hop on the Brisbane wagon here... There's a lot going on here, it seems pretty, well run, fun and easy to get around. Haven't gotten to explore much up and down the coast since we've been working a lot, but generally I prefer this place to Melbourne, which is the only other place I stayed for any length of time, and Sydney, which I admittedly only stayed a week in but didn't like the scale & pace of...

Woo... Brisbane!

603304529

paddylast reckons there's no beach in Brisbane. Well, if you drive for an hour or so either north or south, and you're in the Sunshine or Gold Coast respectively. Absolutely amazing places, the two of em.

plonk

I would say either perth or melbourne, both are quite dangerous if you go out to stupid place but they can be dodged quite easily and both have pretty good places to drive to for weekend excursions.

Melbourne definitely has a better arts, music comedy scene but perth has better beaches.

If you can choose any city surely you will have the option of a transfer once there.

BossArky

Ok, so I've spent the weekend investigating on the net. My choice is Melbourne.

From what I've read, and from the feedback in this thread it seems that at a high level:

• Sydney is nice to visit, but not to live in
• Melbourne has loads of stuff going on
• Sydney has great weather & Melbourne weather can be dodgy.

Question #2 - how bad is the weather in Melbourne? Is it just bad relative to Sydney? Are people exaggerating and it is really roasting compared to Ireland/England?

Thanks.

The Sweeper

Melbourne does four seasons in one day. 7am way to work, 12 degrees, brrrr. By noon it's 28 degrees. That evening it could be back to 12 or up to 35 degrees.

Winter in Melbourne is cold and wet (e.g. daytime temps in their teens). The height of summer it'll easily creep into the late 30s and early 40s, which should be hot enough for ya...

jank

If it were me I would pick Melbourne too but finding work there is harder than Sydney and in fairness I dont think Sydney is all that bad.

mayonnaise

PERTH PERTH PERTH PERTH PERTH!!! its so beautiful, cottesloe & Scarborough beaches and then you can travel down south to margaret river and up north to cervantes. Perth is lovely!

Mr Benevolent

Brisbane's boring without alcohol... a bit like Dublin really. There's more to do here though, and weather is better... if you call hot 'better'. Much of a muchness really. Prepare to run out of money VERY rapidly.

Dancor

Confab wrote: »

Brisbane's boring without alcohol... a bit like Dublin really. There's more to do here though, and weather is better... if you call hot 'better'. Much of a muchness really. Prepare to run out of money VERY rapidly.

I found Brisbane very cheap actually. Cheaper than Sydney.

macca1983

Confab wrote: »

Brisbane's boring without alcohol... a bit like Dublin really. There's more to do here though, and weather is better... if you call hot 'better'. Much of a muchness really. Prepare to run out of money VERY rapidly.

Agreed! i'd say i've being to about 80 odd different cities in my life and without doubt i thought Brisbane was the most boring city in the world!! However weather is great and i think if a person is 50 plus they would love it - very peaceful, quiet type of place.

Mahatma coat

Some of us Live in Brisbane by Choice ya know.

I like it, itas a nice laidback vibe, htere are decent pubs, theres plenty to do which dosent involve alcohol as well

Sydney is Impersonal and bland

Melbourne has its head up its hole, and its Fuppin freezin cold, colder than Ireland (It has Penguins)

Brisbane rawks, best place to live, gets better over time once you get to know the locals and become part of the scene, I'm a member of my local residents comittee, the Local Bowls Club and the Local AFL Team, theres always something interesting to do, and a lot of it involves Beer and Barbeques on peoples back Decks.


Brisbane has a lot to offer anyone coming to australian with the view to makin a Permananet new life for themselves here.

course if you want to just party til the wee hours of the mornin for 3 months with Irish backpackers you sould try Bondi:)

JONJO THE MISER

Was in Brisbane, twas nice but the heat got to me:o, so now im in Hobart Tasmania, great little city.

oh well

depends on what you want doesn't it - Perth, best beaches in world, nice dry heat winter and summer but isolated. Melbourne - vibrant buzzing city, always something going on whether its sports, arts, festivals, etc. Beaches a drive away (I don't consider the bay beaches to be beaches myself). Weather definitely a bit dodgy from extremes of muggy heat to freezing - all in the one day sometimes. Brisbane - great beaches hour drive north or south, prefer the northern ones myself - city nice and great river side area. Bit of a country relation in terms of sport or arts. Gets kinda hot in summer though - 42 degrees last day I was there but its not permanently like that. Winters are great. Sydney - another big city. Granted a fabulous harbour area and beaches north are great fairly expensive to live there too. Weather - better than Melbourne but not as great at Perth and Brisbane. Guess a lot depends on your job and what better prospects there are in the various cities for it. Can you advance the same in any one of the cities over the others, does that matter to you??

Jumpy

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Was in Brisbane, twas nice but the heat got to me:o, so now im in Hobart Tasmania, great little city.

Ah Tasmania. Gotta love it.

Jagera

I know he's made up his mind, but hell I'm gonna chuck in some value-less opinion anyway

Sydney - I lived there for 2 years and never really liked it. I echo the sentiment that its a great place to visit, but a cr@p place to live
Melbourne - Been there a few times but I just didnt like it. Cant really comment much from experience, but I would never move there because its full of Victorians.
Brisbane - i'm from this area (40 mins away) and have spent the last few years living there it is definitely where I plan to see out my time. In contrast to Sydney, the city itself is fine but not a tourist destination. However to live there you are within 1 hour drive of a multitude of things to do.
Perth - Spent a week there about a year ago, liked it. Again can't speak from experience much but there's heaps to do around that corner of WA. Unfortunately its miles from the other cities.
Adelaide - spent a few weeks there and its a nice city to visit. Again, lots to do within an hour or 2 of the city.
Tasmania - OK I'm gonna include the whole state here because its small and if you lived there you'd see lots of it. It is a gem of a place and offers some of the best stuff to do for tourists. Its very different to mainland Australia.
Darwin - I don't plan to go, unless I do Katherine Gorge and Kakadu which are on the list of my things to do before I die.

Good luck

snorkelbaby

what about byron bay?know its not a city exactly but heard good things about it, wondering if it is more of place to visit or a place to live (for few months anyway:))

Zambia

How bad is the weather , its not great the wind last night had some chill factor about it.

The heavy rain the night before did my head in.

Tonight better be dry ...sorry farmers.:mad:

The Sweeper

More like "sorry water catchment areas..." Yep the rain's been pretty heavy, but the bushfire country approach is like "rain... dull... bleak.. but makes everything green and more flame retardant... this time last year the place was already yellowing... hmmm... rain..." etc. etc. etc.

Mr Benevolent

Don't get me wrong, Brisbane is nice enough - a more attractive city than Dublin, that's for sure. I've been in Australia for 3 weeks now and have to say I just don't like the country at all... so I'm biased.

jank

Ah man you have to give it longer than 3 weeks. Then again come to NZ you will love it!

m@cc@

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Was in Brisbane, twas nice but the heat got to me:o, so now im in Hobart Tasmania, great little city.

I'm here too. I recommend the New Sydney Hotel and Irish Murphys as decent places to go out in.

JONJO THE MISER

m@cc@ wrote: »

I'm here too. I recommend the New Sydney Hotel and Irish Murphys as decent places to go out in.

Yeah new sydney is good but Irish Murphys is as dead as a door nail.

Zambia

Confab wrote: »

I've been in Australia for 3 weeks now and have to say I just don't like the country at all... so I'm biased.

I will drive you to the airport... no charge.:)

BraziliaNZ

i thought Melb was awesome. Bris is nice too, it's kind of like Perth, nice year round climate and kind of boring. But close to a lot of nice places.

Traumadoc

Everywhere has its advantages/disadvantages. Depends a lot on your own personal circumstances, if your single, looking for nightlife, avoid Adelaide, (the land that time forgot) as it is boring.

m@cc@

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Yeah new sydney is good but Irish Murphys is as dead as a door nail.

Well they have live bands on every night. Guess it depends on what time you go at.

JuJuBean

Traumadoc wrote: »

Everywhere has its advantages/disadvantages. Depends a lot on your own personal circumstances, if your single, looking for nightlife, avoid Adelaide, (the land that time forgot) as it is boring.

We are looking at a state sponsored visa and we've been advised that it will probably be Adelaide. Is it really that boring? We are both 33 and enjoy socialising (A LOT:D) and also the occasional gig. Would we be barking up the wrong tree going to Adelaide? Wonder can you work elsewhere on a state sponsored visa...

Traumadoc

I was your age when I went out there, I loved it as it suited me a lot, stable relationship, settling down etc. My single friends found the lack of a vibrant nightclub scene made it a bit boring.
There are great resturants and it is very family friendly, very little crime, botanical gardens etc. depends what you want.