physiogirl76

Hi there,

I moved to Brisbane about 6 months ago, got a job here and am currently on a 457 visa even though I am considering applying for a 175...
I travelled through Australia a few years ago and somehow, I really liked Brisbane - warm weather, relaxed atmosphere, relatively green and lots of things to do nearby (Sunshine and Gold Coast, National Parks etc). That´s why I always wanted to come back to Brisbane one day. So far so good.

Having lived here for 6 months, I am starting to see the different side: I am female, in my early 30s and single (I came here on my own) and find it extremely difficult to meet like-minded people.
To start with, being older than 30 and single in Brisbane is almost like being an Alien. Almost everybody I know is married, or at least has a partner. I find it hard to find like-minded people to spend my free time with.
While I did find a few nice places to go out to, my impression is that everything is just about going out and getting drunk. I miss some style and good conversations and some culture, like a good bar or coffee scene.
To me, Brisbane almost feels like a country town, very conservative and not many opportunities for young single professionals in their 30s.
Is it just me or do other people get the same impression? Or do I hang out at the wrong places/with the wrong people?

I thought, I´d give Brisbane a year, also to get that job experience - and if things are still the same, I thought, maybe give Melbourne a try...
While I truly think that Brissie is a lovely place to bring up children or to live with a partner, I really struggle to make a start here, all on my own.
Any views?

aussietobe

Melbourne has everything you are looking for.

DrWho

x2

furkew

x3

Damson

I seem to remember there being a social, professional network club (although I think it was Melbourne in retrospect), which sounds very like what you're looking for. Not much help, but someone else may know of it and if it is a national organisation. Good luck
Lorraine

roxyinitalia

I hear what you are saying. My hubbie and I live on the Coast and here (but of course) there doesn't appear to be much single people. I spend some time in Brisbane but haven't noticed what you have. Have you tried joining a club (sports/leisure etc) that might help.

gl

viviennef

I have lived in Brisbane, on the coast now and in Sydney. I really didnt like Brisbane for many of the reasons you mentioned, even though I am not single, it wasn't the greatest.

I have 3 children now and the coast is perfect for us - if I didnt have them there is absolutely no doubt I would be living in Sydney or Melbourne. I loved living in Sydney - and moved here on my own initially. There is a great social circuit once you get in with a crowd, cafes, pubs, eating out, adventure weekends, bushwalking - whatever you want its there.

Even though I have little time to socialise, I really miss having a heap of like minded people to call and soiree with. brisbane is a very nice, country, red neck (sorry!) town that happened to get a bit larger, it does absolutely nothing for me.

When we lived there (for 18 months) I decided to go home and tried the coast as a last try to see if I liked it. I would still move back to Sydney if I only had a million to buy a small house within 10 mins of the sea and CBD.

I am sure there are singles in Brisbane though who are up for doing something other than drink - now to find them!

Vivienne

physiogirl76

Thanks for your replies so far.
Seems like Melbourne wins hands-down
I do stuff in my free time, but often alone. I go to the gym and attended a rock climbing course - but my impression is that most people stick to themselves or already come in couples...
Even tried speed dating ( yes, I DID make an effort)...but - no offense - my impression was that the "remaining" single guys in their 30s were single for a reason...
I think, time to think about a move...

adamlt1972

I can certainly see what you're saying, I've done the same thing (come over on a 457 a few months ago in my 30s while single, although in my case I'm a fella) and it certainly seems like everyone is "coupled up".
I had a friend who lived here previously and warned me about it in advance, and he seemed to think that it was a result of the "country town" nature of the city which caused people to be more conservative and marry earlier.
Just as word of warning about Melbourne, a female friend of mine from Victoria was complaining to me about the "man drought" down there, (which I guess should tempt me to move there), so you may not get the rich pickings you'd hope for.
Good luck anyway!

viviennef

Yes - its actually famous for it -the lack of single men in their late 20's 30s. Same in Sydney.

Need to move to Mt Isa for rich pickings

My single or newly single friends in sydney are always moaning too - but hookmeup.com.au and RSVP seem to have all the answers

Viv

fish.01

Like any town on it's way to 2 million people there is all sorts of scenes. I think they can be hard to find in Brisbane as the river strangles the CBD so the various area's don't always connect to the city...you have to know where to go. Brisbane doesn't give up its secrets as licentiously as some of the other cities I assume you know the West End markets and Boundary Rd, Rosalie Village and the rest of Paddington-how many coffee shops does a girl want , Oxford St, Bulimba, the various theaters, James Street and the rest of New Farm and the Valley.

It would naturally have less indoor pursuits than the colder climates as the weather sends a lot of people exploring nature based pursuits on the surrounding islands and mountains etc. I could still visit a new coffee shop or pub every day of the year if I wanted though

Good luck....the average age of men marrying for the first time in Brisbane is 30yo. So given that this is the average there would still be heaps of "decent" men unmarried in their early thirties....sounds like you need new friends....

the troubadour

Very common comment and not only Brisbane, but the same applies here in Perth as well, and a friend tells me Adelaide is grim on the social front also.
Also to be a couple without children is only a few steps easier than being solo.
Melbourne and Sydney have got to be easier than the smaller cities(in the inner city areas) but at the end of the day Australia is a very family based society some what removed from the cafe scene of Europe(some of)where one can meet interesting people with something to say on a subjective level and just be.
I will be taking a look at Melbourne in about three weeks time to attempt to get a feeling on living there.
Good luck and remember many experience what you are finding.

Alan-

Hi Physiogirl,

You could try the British Brisbane Club.

I'm a member, but only just joined as I met on of the organisers by accident whilst trying to park at Eagle Street Pier.

I was invited there and then, so went along, and found it great, and a good mix of people. You wont meet a friendlier bunch.

being a member is free, and I think they are having a meet soon at the Pig and Whistle.

Most that I have met seem to be long term Brisbanites, so converstaion is not at all about missing M&S and the like, just good people having a good time :-)

Hope this helps,..........pm me if you want any further info

Alan

CaptainMerton

Physiogirl - I'd move to Sydney or Melbourne if I were you. They are packed with early 30s singletons from the Uk who got sick of the UK and fancied a change.

I have to say I visited Brisbane only once on a weekend and having had a few nights out and walked round the shops and city centre throughout the weekend I have no idea where the population of 1.8million actually live because it resembled a large Uk town of about 100,000 people or something. Just my view. It was very very quiet.

Pollyana

There's also a group of us that meet in Gilhooleys in the city - we try and meet every week, though of course not everyone can make it weekly. You don't have to drink, as we have several drivers who drop in, and one dedicated lemonade drinker, and we will talk about anything and everything.
If anyone's interested see the Brisbane CBD threads in the Meet Up forum