ken-6

We are thinking of moving from Melbourne to Queensland but cant decide between Brisbane or Townsville - any thoughts? We have 2 young children

fish.01

there are people happy (and sad) with both so hard to say what you would prefer. tve is small, tropical weather, simple pleasures...brisbane has 2 million, sub tropical, more jobs, more facilities.

Turban Explorer

It's incredibly hot for a lot of the year in Townsville and then it hammers it down for months. It's also a sprawling, fairly industrial place (with alot of the attitudes you'd expect) where you need to drive fairly long distances to get everywhere as public transport doesn't really exist. I'd be in Brisbane like a shot if I wasn't on a regional visa.

derf

on the other hand there are lots of us who love it up here in Townsville.

9 months a year of perfect weather. Large enough to have all the facilities need ( hospitals, schools, etc). All with out the crush,traffic, grime of a city.

Also Brisbane has winters and after a couple of years here the thought of even a Brisbane winter is not funny.

Bello

ive never really been a city person so am abit biased towards townsville, its true what the person abouve says though, it does have its fair share of rednecks, mostly though if you have a laught with them and arent afraid to take the mic out of yourself and them its all good

fillinghams

Having lived in townsville and left, i can honestly say it has a lot going for it.
The strand, with the waterpark, the the lagoon. It has decent schools and a decent if not amazing hospital (worked there).

Its weather is great, and it is a affluent place with minimal unemployment. the parks are lovely, and the northern beaches amazing.

The down side, the location brings the weather, but it also brings isolation from other big towns, and with brisbane nearly 2 hours away on a plane, that should give you some perspective on how far away you are.

And some people attitudes are not particularly sophisticated, i can honestly say it is the most racist place i have been to.

However only visited brisbane so cant really compare, what i would say is we are going back to aus to live soon, and we will be going to the gold coast.

chris955

Brisbane every single time, I can't even imagine living in Townsville to be honest. It has more than it's share of social issues. The Brisbane climate is pretty good other than a few hot humid months, no contest in my eyes.

derf

chris have you stayed in townsville to base this opinion on?

chris955

I havent lived there. You like it and recommend it and that is fine but for me there is no comparison between the 2 places and you obviously feel the same.

DeadVim

Surely nobody needs something as old fashioned as 'first hand experience' these days, isn't all the received wisdom the 'net can provide enough?

derf

if google says it true then who are we to argue...lol

Turban Explorer

I think you could only argue that 9 months of the year is great weather wise if you enjoy searing sun and intense humidity. June, July, August are the good months - its not called Brownsville for nothing. For us it was just too redneck - got sick of the racist comments, drug abuse, pub fights and rough sleepers. We lived on Magnetic Island to get away for 6 months and that WAS nice.

Bix

Forget the council.
What are the normal people like?


Does this look familiar?

Turban Explorer

Council? That was us!

Very familiar picture. I lived in Bright Point - the building on the left looking straight out on to the ocean. I'd definitely recommend that to anyone and the communte to Townsville is irritating but doable.

Bix

That's where we stayed.
Overlooking the rocks and ocean.
Beautiful.