Hi,

I am new to LIQ.. I signed up for POMS in Oz, and saw this site. Me and my hubbie are hoping to be out in Brisbane in next 3 months.My husband was offered a job still to finalise the contract etc but it is something we have wanted to do. Got engaged on Fraser Island i n 2008 an loved the trip to OZ came back raving about it to friends and family. However now we have this opportunity it is so exciting yet scary at the same time. We are only 29 and feel that is we don't do it now, we may never. Looking at places for renting, i cannot believe how expensive it is to rent.... we were a bit shocked. Looking in cleveland, Wakerly and places along that way...

Looking for some information on living in Brisbane the good and the bad... we know it will never be like out amazing trip as we will be working however we want to experience something new and want a challenge and meet new people.

Hope to hear from you soon.

M:smile:

 

Hi M, welcome to LIQ, how lovely getting engaged on Fraser Island.
Unfortunately I'm up in FNQ so can't help on Brisbane, but there are plenty on here who can.
Kate

 

Hi M .....
It's a great place to be!! We have been in Manly for a year and love it here .... also have friends in Cleveland and Wakerley. Things have changed a lot though and yep, prices have definitely gone up - we noticed this from when we first did our reccie two and a half years ago. Cheaper properties can be found though, it just depends on where you need to be. Ask away if you need any questions answered.

 

Thanks. What is Manly like to live? I have looked at some rentals online there. Is it near shops etc and how far from CBD? Is the transport system good and quick? Sorry for questions..

 

Hi M welcome to the forum.
Where is hubbys job location? Rush hour commuting can be tough on the sanity ,lol so may dictate what suburbs tp settle in.

Cal x

 

His job is in Milton... however I have applied for a job in Cleveland.. I was looking at Cannon Hill and that area...We are looking for something modern with air con and close to shops, coffee shops and can commute easily into city or beach...

 

For decent beaches you would be looking at Sunny Coast or Bribie Island or down to the Gold Coast, the choice in either area is huge and there are beaches to suit most tastes.

Have you had a look at rentals on www.realestate.com ? That should show what is availble and what the costs are. Prices vary soooo much suburb to surburb and hosuing style can change alot too, you find aroud the city suburbs there are lots of olden wooden queenslander style houses, so realestate should give you a guide to where the ewer homes are.
For distances to and from work, beaches etc , i find Whereis.com really good.

Hope this helps a little
Cal x

 

Depending on where your rental is, you can walk from Manly to the waterfront in anything from 5-15 mins. There are a small number of shops - an IGA supermarket, newsagent, post office, butchers etc but for a bigger selection, you would need to head to Wynnum which is 5 mins away by car/train or bus. There are some lovely coffee shops on the waterfront and sunday craft markets near the marinas. There's also a farmers Market and outdoor movie night once a month too.My Hubby gets the train from Manly to the CBD and it takes 38 min for the slow train and 45 for the "express". Some people wouldn't want to be this far out, while others find the journey fine. You may want to consider whether you would like to be in an area with a decent social life as this would be the one thing that Manly is missing. We have a couple of bars and restaurants but mid-week there are few people around after 9pm and I have to say that things are not much livelier on weekends after about half nine!! Something to consider maybe...?

 

Hi M and welcome,

My wife and I moved to Bris in late '09 and have settled in Cleveland. Fan Dabby Dozey!! However, we are 15-20 years older than you, and may view things in a different way. We call Cleveland "Sleepytown". Not much happens after 10pm, but that's mainly because people rise early. It's the largest town in the area and there is a relatively high OAP residency level. Just about everything anybody would want is but a very short distance away. It's a 35 min drive to the CBD and about an hour on the same train that goes through Manly and Wynnum.

As for renting, what others have already said is spot on. Australia is not a cheap place to live but there are a wide variety of options around; you just have to look and be prepared to look at things from a different angle. When we arrived, we had a fully furnished 2 bed apartment in Wolloongabba (brilliant location for city living) for $500 pw. However, friends in Cleveland are paying that for a 4 bed detached house, unfurnished. Horses for courses.

Hope this helps