Hi everyone! I'm moving to Brisbane after having managed to get a job over in the CBD. The company will be putting me up initially but I really want to find out more about the best areas to look at renting in. I've been trying to check out some real estate sites but seems pretty pointless as I'm not sure where's good to be! A little bit about me and what I'm hoping to find....I'm 23 and moving all by my lonesome so want somewhere safe (I'm sure that's most places!). I'm looking for somewhere nice and not too far away from the hub of things. Ideally somewhere with some parks/outside space nearby would be great as I'm hoping to eventually bring my dog over. Also as part of my job I will be having to fly quite regularly fro
Brisbane airport so being in between there and the city would be perfect.

The other thing I was wondering was how the mobile phone plans work over there? I have an unlocked iPhone so just need a sim-only contract which is easy to do in the UK but not sure if it's possible in Australia. Seems really silly I know...much more important things to be concerned about!

 

Hi Jo,

There are sim only deals around and you should find a suitable deal pretty easy. The Mobile packages over here take some getting used to as you can buy a capped plan, That does not mean you cannot overspend and you have to watch what you use. You can get things like, a $50 cap, that will allow you $200 worth of calls/texts, but spend over that $200 it can be very expensive. make sure you understand exactly what you get for your money and the charges if you exceed the cap limit.

I am not much help with the areas to live over there as I have only lived on Bribie Island and that may be a little to far out for you, Redcliffe is popular but I am sure others will be on to advise about the best areas for you.

 

G'day,

From what you've said, I would suggest that to rent as near to the CBD as possible would be right up your street, for a couple of reasons. The first is that the rail tunnel to the airport opens next year and will take just minutes to travel. Currently it's about 30 mins on the overland train, and a little less in a cab. Secondly, the further out of the CBD you go, the further away you'll be from the hub of things. If by the hub of things for a 23 year old you also mean nightlife, that will have to include Fortitude Valley (The Valley). Therefore areas to consider would include Paddington, Newstead, West End, South Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, New Farm, Windsor, Spring Hill and Teneriffe.

You may have to think twice about you dog. Strangely, Australia isn't overly dog friendly. Also whilst there are houses to rent, it may be that the best place to rent is an apartment, particularly the nearer you get to the CBD. But the good news is that if your dog is all passported up and innoculated, the quarrantine is just 30 days. However the cost of it all can be prohibitive.

As SRP said, the phone plans can be complicated to get your head around. The plans are based on $value, not time. So a plan will provide you with so much $value, not so many minutes/texts. A pay as you go SIM costs $2. However whether on a plan or not, the call charges vary from provider to provider.

But the really important thing is that you're moving to Brisbane, and Queensland!! You'll love it!!

 

Good post Martyn!!! Just one thing, what is this new rail tunnel to the airport you talk of ? ....do you know something the rest of us don't

 

Well spotted fish!

It's actually a toll road tunnel called the Airport Link Tunnel which links up with the Clem 7.