Melbourne or Brisbane for the year?

cristoff07

Hi guys. Im heading to Oz for the year in November and cant decide whether to go to Melbourne of Brisbane. I know, depends on what your looking for but some opinions would help. Thanks.

ballooba

Melbourne is colder would be the most obvious point. Brisbane is too warm for some at times. You get used to losing half your bidy weight in sweat in the summer months.

Brisbane has roughly the same day duration year round. 7am to 7pm daylight. I believe Melbourne has more pronounced seasons I believe.

Brisbane is in many ways just a large country town. I probably shouldn't say this out loud in front of any Brisbane locals but it doesn't have the sophistication or cosmopolitan nature of Sydney or Melbourne.

Brisbane is a lot more laid back and people really do take the time to enjoy the great climate. Brisbane is also quieter than Melbourne although Melbourne is a lot quieter than Syndey. You really have to work at night life in Melbourne, there's a lot of local knowledge involved. In Brisbane there's not as much choice but at least there is a pub scene. Sydney's night life however is unrivaled and there is a smörgåsbord of choice.

In every area other than housing I do find that Brisbane is more expensive than the two big cities. This is due to a lack of competition from what I see. Wages are also less competitive.

cristoff07

Thanks for the reply ballooba. Really not sure what im gonna do. Obviously because im from ireland, any improvement in the weather is fine with me so i dont mind so much about the weather issue. Im a building services/mechanical engineer and am just trying to get a feel for where the best locations in australia would be for the construction industry.

I do like the idea of the bigger city but im also kind of an outdoors person and would appreciate that more than being stuck in a big city. Brisbane seems nice however i think it is a good bit smaller than melbourne, but then again gold coast is only an hour away.

Anyway, enuf of my waffling......................decisions decisions descisions

mandrake04

Why not go for 6 month of each? there is no restriction on which city you have to spend your whole year in.

cristoff07

hi mandrake04. i have thought about that actually, and does seem like a logical choice. However im going with one other person so cud be stuck for the year in one place. Ive thought about sydney but i think maybe something less hectic would be nice.

Mahatma coat

Climate is the main reason people chose Brisbane

Brisbane == Pineapples
Melbourne== Penguins

thing about Brisbane is that its in Queensland, which is where most of the cool touristy Crap is, Reef, Rainforest, Fraser Island, Whalewatchin, the Real Outback etc...

Victoria lacks exciting and interesting things so the claim they have 'Culture' instead:D


But mainly Melbourne is fuppin cold

mandrake04

are you thinking for just 1 year or maybe 2, cos if your thinking of 2nd WHV getting stuck in a city is a bad idea.

cristoff07

@mandrake04

at the mo, 1 year is on the cards, however if all goes well maybe someone would be kind enuf to sponsor me, who knows?????? not sure bout applyin for a 2nd year i havent thought that far ahead

mandrake04

it seems everyone is lukin sponsored these days, things must be really bad at home.

As Ronnie Drew once said ....Ireland's biggest export is people.

cristoff07

haha gud one mandrake. yes. yes it is really bad.

Just finished college 2 months and theres not a glimpse of a job anywhere in sight

We're gettin raped at the mo. not gud times im afraid. i better get there before the rush

ballooba

cristoff07 wrote: »

Brisbane seems nice however i think it is a good bit smaller than melbourne, but then again gold coast is only an hour away.

I may offend some by saying this but I don't care. The Gold Coast is a sh1t hole full of CUBs* and wannabe CUBs. The only possible reason for wanting to go there is to flash the cash. Otherwise if you had the cash you would go somewhere nice like up north for you hols. The Gold Coast actually aspires to be the LA of Australia in terms of scale, sprawl and plasticity. If that's what your after then fair enough, it's not my cup of tea.

*CUBs = Cashed Up Bogans

Traq

i better get there before the rush

I reckon you've missed the boat on that one!

Zambia

Traq wrote: »

I reckon you've missed the boat on that one!

Strewth !!! Dont come on a Boat if Abbott gets in.

ballooba

Zambia232 wrote: »

Strewth !!! Dont come on a Boat if Abbott gets in.

We live in interesting times.:D

hussey

Zambia232 wrote: »

Strewth !!! Dont come on a Boat if Abbott gets in.

ballooba wrote: »

We live in interesting times.:D

He doesn't mind if your white though ...

ballooba

hussey wrote: »

He doesn't mind if your white though ...

I reckon this whole immigration lark is going to be drastically cut back if the economy doesn't pick up. I'm a bit worried about getting PR to be honest.

Doc

Melbourne defiantly I’ve lived here for a year and love the city. I don’t know what ballooba is talking about regarding having to work at night out in Melbourne that’s part of the fun of the city as there are always new bars opening up and new places to try out every week. There are still large bars and clubs but there are so many hidden gems dotted around the city for you to find.

There is always something going on it the city and although we don’t have the year round sun that some places have that’s not always a bad thing personally I like the fact that there are seasons here I don’t think I could live in a place that was constantly hot. Winter is cold (Not as bad as Ireland but cold) summer is hot and spring and autumn are warm. I like the climate here.

You get a lot more options of things to do in Melbourne then Brisbane the amount of places that have live music or comedy and the amount of sports that are available to go see here is fantastic (everything from the F1 grand prix to the AFL and Im particularly excited about the fact Melbourne is getting a super 15’s rugby team!).

Come to Melbourne… you know it makes sense.

The Aussie

ballooba wrote: »

Melbourne is colder would be the most obvious point. Brisbane is too warm for some at times. You get used to losing half your bidy weight in sweat in the summer months.

Brisbane has roughly the same day duration year round. 7am to 7pm daylight. I believe Melbourne has more pronounced seasons I believe.

Brisbane is in many ways just a large country town. I probably shouldn't say this out loud in front of any Brisbane locals but it doesn't have the sophistication or cosmopolitan nature of Sydney or Melbourne.

Brisbane is a lot more laid back and people really do take the time to enjoy the great climate. Brisbane is also quieter than Melbourne although Melbourne is a lot quieter than Syndey. You really have to work at night life in Melbourne, there's a lot of local knowledge involved. In Brisbane there's not as much choice but at least there is a pub scene. Sydney's night life however is unrivaled and there is a smörgåsbord of choice.

In every area other than housing I do find that Brisbane is more expensive than the two big cities. This is due to a lack of competition from what I see. Wages are also less competitive.

Being from brisbane and spent a lot of time in melbourne and sydney, i would say you just about summed it up perfectly.

old_aussie

Brisbane

The Aussie

ballooba wrote: »

*CUBs = Cashed Up Bogans

HaHa, what a gem of a sledge, I will be using that one.

ballooba

Doc wrote: »

Melbourne defiantly I’ve lived here for a year and love the city. I don’t know what ballooba is talking about regarding having to work at night out in Melbourne that’s part of the fun of the city as there are always new bars opening up and new places to try out every week. There are still large bars and clubs but there are so many hidden gems dotted around the city for you to find.

I don't think I'm alone in finding the Melbourne scene a bit challenging. I've lived in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane at various stages. The main problem with Melbourne night life is probably the sprawl.

Doc wrote: »

You get a lot more options of things to do in Melbourne then Brisbane the amount of places that have live music or comedy and the amount of sports that are available to go see here is fantastic (everything from the F1 grand prix to the AFL and Im particularly excited about the fact Melbourne is getting a super 15’s rugby team!).

I can understand you might be impassioned about your home city but Brisbane's live music scene would take a lot to beat.

Father Damo

ballooba wrote: »

I reckon this whole immigration lark is going to be drastically cut back if the economy doesn't pick up. I'm a bit worried about getting PR to be honest.

Doubt it. Abbott is just playing clever politics, hyping the threat from the boat people (theres been something like 6000 this year- in a country of 20 odd million it isnt exactly an invasion). And he isnt stupid enough to stop the student visas. The same bogans who dont want migrants wont work the jobs migrants do either.

hussey

Why don't ya try them both and then decide, rather than letting people of the interweb decide

Personally i would pick melbourne, it has everything I would want, although the weather than be really annoying.

ballooba

Father Damo wrote: »

Doubt it. Abbott is just playing clever politics, hyping the threat from the boat people (theres been something like 6000 this year- in a country of 20 odd million it isnt exactly an invasion). And he isnt stupid enough to stop the student visas. The same bogans who dont want migrants wont work the jobs migrants do either.

I wasn't referring to the election. It makes no sense to have rampant immigration when there are so many Aussies on the dole queues. The property bubble in Aus is a constant worry. If that goes then it will be like turning off mineral exports.

cristoff07

thanks for all the replies guys. I think ive nearly made my mind up but i wont tell yous coz i dont wanna offend anyone but ill give u a clue....... it ends in ne

About the nightlife thing..........not really into the whole clubbing scene thing.......dont get me wrong, im not a boring bas*ard or anything but those days have long past me. Im much more of a local scene kinda person.

Oh and please dont shut the door before i arrive mid November, its torture here in Ireland im losin my hair and tryin to find the will to get outta bed in the morning/afternoon.................................................................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Chet Zar

cristoff07 wrote: »

thanks for all the replies guys. I think ive nearly made my mind up but i wont tell yous coz i dont wanna offend anyone but ill give u a clue....... it ends in ne

About the nightlife thing..........not really into the whole clubbing scene thing.......dont get me wrong, im not a boring bas*ard or anything but those days have long past me. Im much more of a local scene kinda person.

Oh and please dont shut the door before i arrive mid November, its torture here in Ireland im losin my hair and tryin to find the will to get outta bed in the morning/afternoon.................................................................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Good stuff....you can always move to Sydney if Melbourne turns out to be not your thing anyway!

Zambia

I doubt any changes to the whv will take place. If you want to stay thats a different story.

Mahatma coat

as a bit of an aside, Abotts Policy regardind Imigration is to

'Stop the boats'

You'll notice neither he or gillard are taking a

'Tough on Immigrants policy'

Why? you might ask, well its really rather simple

they're both immigrants :D



Tony was born in London

Julia was born in Glamorgan

Father Damo

ballooba wrote: »

I wasn't referring to the election. It makes no sense to have rampant immigration when there are so many Aussies on the dole queues. The property bubble in Aus is a constant worry. If that goes then it will be like turning off mineral exports.

But what they seem to be ignoring is that there is not one single person on the dole queue in major centres of immigration who actually cant find a job. To a man, anyone on the dole in Sydney and most urban centres is too lazy to get a job. Australia has full employment, in urban areas at least. Boat people arent the ones leaking dollars from the working Aussie taxpayer, its bogans who cant be arsed getting a job and get paid quite handsomely for it (think its something like 500 every two weeks. If I was living out west with my parents rent free maybe I wouldnt bother working either. 250 a week if you get fed and dont have to pay rent is alot of money in a city as cheap as Sydney)

ballooba

Father Damo wrote: »

But what they seem to be ignoring is that there is not one single person on the dole queue in major centres of immigration who actually cant find a job. To a man, anyone on the dole in Sydney and most urban centres is too lazy to get a job. Australia has full employment, in urban areas at least. Boat people arent the ones leaking dollars from the working Aussie taxpayer, its bogans who cant be arsed getting a job and get paid quite handsomely for it (think its something like 500 every two weeks. If I was living out west with my parents rent free maybe I wouldnt bother working either. 250 a week if you get fed and dont have to pay rent is alot of money in a city as cheap as Sydney)

Personal experience of the job market and from capable and competent citizen friends does not tally with your statements. A family member of my girlfriend has been stuck contracting for the last year with numerous periods of unemployment. Full time jobs for many professions are very thin on the ground and the competition for contract positions is fierce.

Mahatma coat

Ah Ballooba I know people like that too, a lot of the time its cos they are picky or have a rather specialised skill, the thing about the immigrants is they aint so Picky, if you cant get work in your chosen profession you take whatever comes along, because they dont have the safety net of centrelink

The Aussie

Mahatma coat wrote: »

Ah Ballooba I know people like that too, a lot of the time its cos they are picky or have a rather specialised skill, the thing about the immigrants is they aint so Picky, if you cant get work in your chosen profession you take whatever comes along, because they dont have the safety net of centrelink

What country are we talking about here, sounds like a conversation i had at work here in Cork not that long ago, you take away mummy and daddys couch and you will do anything to pay the bills.

ballooba

Mahatma coat wrote: »

Ah Ballooba I know people like that too, a lot of the time its cos they are picky or have a rather specialised skill, the thing about the immigrants is they aint so Picky, if you cant get work in your chosen profession you take whatever comes along, because they dont have the safety net of centrelink

My own temporary visa requires that I work within my skillset. That's the whole point of skilled migration. Whether there is work sweeping the streets or flipping burgers doesn't really help because I would be liable to be deported if I did those jobs. In the context of skilled migration it's the demand for skilled workers that counts. If there is no unmet demand then immigration can't be justified. As for my underemployed friend, I wouldn't expect him to take an unskilled job, he's doing alright on his wage even if he isn't fully employed. He shouldn't have to compete for jobs with new skilled migrants though if the market is slack.

tibor_imo

Nightlife in Melbourne is absolutely amazing, really eclectic, lots of different places ranging from the swanky to the dingy; all kinds of music and people. There's a few centre's for nightlife around the city and it really isn't that hard to find. The weather here isn't as bad as people make out either imo. I've been here 6 weeks or so and most days have been around 14c, not exactly cold in Irish terms. If you're arriving in November weather shouldn't be a problem for you anyway.

cristoff07

thanks tibor imo.

Any improvement in weather from Ireland is fine with me. Although saying that its real nice here today. roll on November!

Dr. Dodger

Melbourne FTW. Fantastic place. If I could live anywhere in the World now I would live there.

Such a relaxed, laid back city. We lived in Elwood which is just beside St Kilda. 20 mins to the city on the tram.

Visited Brisbane briefly but just seems like another city to me. In my opinion, not as much character as Melbourne.

You'll have a great time anyway no matter where you go.

But also I hate you! :P

cristoff07

thanks doc. I think ive made my mind up........sydney it is! :):) no but seriously ive booked my flights to melbourne. seems like a good starting point. And i fully understand the hating me part haha