Help! Need advice on if we should move to Queensland from Melbourne.?

Question

I am 42 and live on the Mornington Peninsula(have all my life) with my husband and 3 kids (12, 10 & 7). My husband really wants to move to QLD I'm 50/50. Some parts of me really would like to go for a change and fresh start but I'm scared about leaving family and friends I've known for 20 yrs. I do have a girlfriend who lives just over the border and a friend in Tweed Heads. I'm worried about where we would live (heard so many conflicting reports abnout different suburbs) and schools for the kids etc it's such a massive upheavel but I think if we don't do it know the kids will get to old and won't want to leave their friends. Part of me wants to go but the other part is scared of leaving 42 years of the familiar!

Answer 1

Having lived in both Melbourne and south-east Queensland I've got to say Queensland wins hands down.

Never fear you'll get plenty of visits by friends and relatives if you move. Especially in winter time. Plus you can get cheap flights to head back from time to time.

Also, you'll find there are plenty of ex-pat Victorians here so you won't be the only one.

Like the NT tourism ad says,

"You'll never never know if you never never go!"

Good luck.

Answer 2

go for it MOVE i did 30 years ago best thing i ever did

Answer 3

Why not !   Take the plunge.... as you've said you've spent all your life in Melbourne, time for a change I say.

Once you live in Qld you never go anywhere else anyhow LOL

I live in Cairns so can't comment living on the sunshine coast - been there many times for holidays though and love it.

Go for a holiday and check out the schools and areas you may want to live in first for peace of mind.

Good Luck on what ever choice you make.

Answer 4

First I would say what sort of work does you and hubby do , cos my son went up there recently and he is in surfers and has found that the pay is not as high up there and he has had trouble getting work.

So sort out the possibility of work for you both and this may help determine area.....

make a pact with husband that you both have to like it as much as the other or u come home!

Personally not sure why you want to leave Mornington but then again it's warmer up north :)

good luck....be brave !

Answer 5

Is there any possibility you can rent out the house you own and rent one in QLD for a couple of years or until you really decide?  It does depend on where in QLD you are moving to, somewhere beautiful or just Brisbane suburbs, if it is beautiful where you are and you are happy I don't know what QLD will offer you.  We all just go to work and come home again up here too, mortgage or whatever, kids etc.  I hope you are looking at the web at houses or rentals etc to get a grasp of where you want to live.  I've lived in Melb, Sydney a decade and Brisbane for the last 15 years, if I could, I'd move south again, so much more culture down south.  I feel for you, I really do.

Answer 6

I don't know what toga_chikke is talking about.

Brisbane in particular and Queensland in general are cheaper than Melbourne for housing and cost of living and we have a great government that, while it's not perfect, really cares about the people. I moved from Melbourne 3 decades ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I love Melbourne and visit there every year, but Brisbane is a better place to live.

Our climate really is fantastic and that makes a big difference to our way of life. Imagine t-shirt weather in July! And, it doesn't get as hot here in summer as it does in Melbourne (no killer bushfires either).

Greater Brisbane has a small number of suburbs you wouldn't want to live in, but very few are in Brisbane itself - most are in Logan and Ipswich. Brisbane suburbs are green and leafy and safe and are great places for families.

Our public transport isn't as good as Melbourne's but it's not too bad. Our bayside beaches are not as good as Melbourne's bay beaches but Moreton Bay itself is amazing, and if you drive an hour north or south, you'll find some of the world's best beaches and surf. Also of course, the beaches are on the Sunshine and Cold Coasts with all of their tourist attractions.

I know it's a difficult decision for you. It's always very hard to leave your family and friends and everything that's familiar, but Brisbane (and Queensland) people are very friendly and you'll fit in in no time if you put a bit of effort into it. You have friends within easy driving distance, and, as another answerer said, there will be no shortage of sun following visitors from Melbourne if you want to open your doors to them.

Schools in most areas are excellent. Come on here for the word on specific schools when you're close to choosing a place to live. There are heaps of Brisbane/Queensland people who'll be happy to help.

Answer 7

hmm i dont think you should move ther,

its really expensive and the government there dosnt really give a d**n about the people's interests, its great for a holiday.

lol

im from melbourne and i think its wonderful,  maybe you should just move closer to the beach or hte city like around the brighton/sandringham/beaumoris area