Where's the best place in Australia to live and raise a family?

Question

My wife and I are looking to relocate from the UK to Australia. We visited last year and really liked Brisbane although we haven't ruled out Perth or other areas.

We have about 600k-700k AUD to spend on a family home. We are in our early 30s and hope to start a family so it's important to us to be close to good schools, have access to green spaces and be within an hours drive of beaches and the city for work.

I am keen to either buy land and have our home built or buy a modern pre-built home.

Any advice on specific suburbs or areas would be really helpful along with any other good local knowledge.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer 1

hey!!!

I Live in brisbane and think it is the perfect place to raise a family...as for demographics, Logan in one of the most cheapest localities to live in. located directly between brisbane and the cold coast...it has a reputation of been a hole (LOL) but all in all it is a pretty good area.  We have the hyperdome, the largest single story shopping centre in the southern hemisphere, and the school are pretty good. anyways good luck with your house hunting, and i wish you the best for yourself and yourwife and of course your future kiddies =D

Answer 2

I live in Melbourne, and I think its a fantastic area. Steer clear of the Box Hill area though, thats one area where it is dangerous.

Most places in melbourne you have access to green space.

I love Lower Templestowe. There is Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre which they have just redone, now its HUGE!

There is Ruffey Lake Park, which is a park that your kids will never get tired of, expecially if they have bikes!

And there is the Aquarena Swimming Pool, the Main Yarra Trail - a totally awesome place to ride bikes.

There is a local kindergarton, primary school and high schools.

Maybe not Doncaster Secondary School - you could get into a bit of trouble if you went there, but Koonung Secondary College is fantastic, and there are private school all round which kids can get buses to easily!

The city is pretty close and the beaches are pretty close too.

Search Lower Templestowe on google maps and see if you like it!

Its also a friendly area, you can walk around at night and not be worried in the slightest about being attacked.

I was out wondering the streets when I was about 6 years old!

Good luck in finding a great place to live!

Answer 3

LONG REPLY

I live in Perth so i'm writing from that perspective.

Perth is currently experiencing a massive boom which means that there is ALOT of employment availiable especially in the mining and resources sector.

Suburbs to avoid: Gosnells (one of the highest rates of Domestive Violence in Western Australia/possibly Australia- I used to work in Child Protection in this region), that also means that you should avoid Armadale (indeed avoid most of the southern suburbs). Also avoid, Midland, Koongamia, Midvale, Stratton, Midvale, HighWycombe and Swan View (bad eastish suburbs). Avoid Girrawheen, Wanneroo, Clarkson and Malaga (Bad northern suburbs- I currently work at three of the aforementioned suburbs local high schools and i would definatley not send my child to any of them). Oh i also wouldn't live in Morley.

Alot of english immigrants live in the Northern Suburbs (the good ones) like ocean reef, illuka, kinross, mindarie, padbury, Joondalup. I work at Ocean Reef SHS and it is generally quite a good school. They are also pretty close to Perth City 35mins... and you can still find places with yards.

I grew up in the hills (Mundaring, Stoneville, Darlington, Glen Forrest) which is pretty expensive but quite nice. But you have to be weary because there are also alot of bogans (Mt Helena, Chidlow, Wooroloo, Wundowie). The hills are good because you can chose between being on a street full of 1/2 acre blocks or you can have 7 acres. Up to you, also only 45mins from the city.

I'm currently living in the verge of Mt Lawley/Highgate/Perth area which is pretty decent but i rent ($300 p/w) and we have been broken into before as have most people on our street. But Mt Lawley is a lovely place (very expensive though).

This is just my opinion on some of the areas in Perth... Sorry it was so long.

If you need/want anything else lemme know.

Answer 4

WEll , in melbourne you can  buy a very beautiful home with that amount of money maybe castle. Endeavour hills or Dandenong are really good suburbs with train links .

Answer 5

I have lived in Sydney almost all my life.  I will be honest with you, I have never been to Perth, but if I were to bring up another family, I would truly consider moving to Perth to do it.  I have heard that it is much nicer, safer and cheaper than Sydney and Brisbane.

Answer 6

you have a good perception of where you want to live the things you need to make your families life great here, brisbane has all you need and answers your question of which city. i suggest you come here and rent a furnished house briefly till you understand your own desires to locations schools, work, beaches, green areas etc. then you can buy the house of your dreams, take your furniture to direct to your new house and live happily ever after, good luck mate. PS.  there are so many differences of opinion on where to live in any city that you need to be guided by your own feelings, with a little help from asking many questions when you get here  

Answer 7

well Shaz must of never been to brisbane before because they are just the standard things in brisbane. Your price will by an average size home in brisbane, but there is some pretty cheap land abround brsbane to buy. a good suberb may be Ferny grove/ Arana Hills but stay clear of Keppera. Another place could be Chermside which has the biggest shopping centre in QLD. Ferny/Arana both have great Amenities and really good train services to the CBD and heres a tip dont drive to the city unless you have parking at your work try public transport. all around brisbane is close to beaches. Also brisbane hase great parks and the longest bike tracks in Australia. But if you want an inner suburb try paddington or red hill they are both great.

Hope you find a house.

if you have any questions email me