I'm considering a job offer in Darwin we currently live down in Victoria. I have had a mixed response from Ozzie work mates with most sighting the terrible humidity as a real ball breaker.

Is the humidity really that unbearable?

Is the laid back lifestyle a reality or is this as hyped up as the humidity?

When looking into joining the army I was told I'd almost def be posted in Darwin.

Beer and fishing is all that's available there I'm told.

Spent a week there in April. Absolutely stunning area BUT if I had had to stay another day I would have gone insane - The humidity was terrible THEN! would hate to think what it is like at its worst!
Having said that some people like that climate - each to their own - but for me? will defintaly visit again but not at that time of year!

Someone on here has just arrived in Darwin - will see if i can bump their thread for you

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=672982

here you go x

Humidity is a killer...u run from air con to air con...and in between your shirt will get soaked. ...but you'll adjust..i'd say take a look..you might enjoy it..an too be fair the dry season is nice.
Its abit remote..so after about a month...u might run out of new things to do...but depends what u want...as the other poster said...good for fishing and sommit else...
Other things...fairly expensive to buy property and rent...oh and Darwin hosiptal might improve now its federal run.

But..for a bit of fun...id go again...if nothing else just for the beers and sunsets at the trailer boat club ...

As I thought the humidity is pretty bad!

I have spent a little time in Singapore over the years and never found the humidity unbearable.........can anyone give me a comparison on the 2?

Or is Darwin in a different league from Singers when it comes to humidity?

I lived in SE Asia for 5 years and visited Dawrin from there on two occaions. I found it to be less humid than SE Asia.
I really like humid climates and found Darwin less 'tropical' than SE Asia.

I actually found Darwin quite boring - certainly didn't find it stunning as an earlier poster suggested.

Read Bill Bryson's account of hotel service in Darwin - I could relate very well to it!

Just come back from there, absolutely love it, but totally different to Melbourne. It is more laid back. Property is expensive and it can be quite isolated. All the locals we speak to say it can be very humid and everyone gets moody and grumpy. It wouldn't stop me moving there if we had the chance, let's face it at this time of year in Melbourne anywhere which has sun is appealing

Yeah the humidity does get to you, the worst humidity coincides with the mango season and is locally known as Mango Madness cos everyone does get a little grumpy, a lot of people turn to beer to cool down which is great for dehydration hence mango madness occurs

But if you are sensible, you adapt and just as in England we combated the harsh winters with central heating and enjoying things like comfying up around warm fires, you combat the humidity in Darwin with the air con and diving into the pool

As for the laid back attitude. Id say the locals arent so laid back in tourist season but there are plenty of tourists around who give it that laid back 'holiday place' feel. Can be slightly annoying when you are working full time and everyone else is on holiday mode! When the tourists go at the end of the season the locals are indeed more laid back but a lot of restaurants shut up as woners go on there hols and some people find it too quiet at this time... it is definately much quiter than in peak season.

I once said Darwin is like Vegemite - love it or hate it! Its not for everyone and different to other cities, I hardly consider it a city having expereinced city living previously

All the best whatever you decide to do I have been in D Town for over two years now so let me know if you have any other questions I can help with - or at least give my mere opinion on

Lived in Darwin for 2.5yrs...winter aka dry season is beautiful - summer aka the wet season, does get humid, rains quite a bit and you WILL run the air con. My issue with Darwin was there isn't alot to do there and it is too remote for my liking. There are things I miss, but they aren't enough for me to consider moving back there.

I think if this can be a short term stint ie a few years, with an end in sight then I'd say go for it and experience it. But for long term/indefinite I'd probably give it a miss.

Then again, it could be a place you would really love.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I reckon a visit is in order to get a feel for the place.

Old bloke . . . beard . . . origin of species or summat like that . . .

We're hopefully moving to Darwin around December, which I understand is a REALLY humid time but everywhere has not so great times to visit and at least things can only get easier from there. We'll really just be swapping a constant need for central heating for constant need for aircon!

Scotland to Darwin - now that is an interesting move!

There are no dentists available after 6pm on a Thursday night.