Life outside of the cities?
Mar 9th 2004 | 12:30 am
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 37
From: Dudley, West Midlands
Life outside of the cities?
Hi all,
Having just returned from Oz on our visa validation trip we're struggling to reach a decision as to where to settle. We're tempted to opt for something other than the obvious city destinations and are considering the NSW North Coast (Ballina, Yamba, Coffs Harbour, etc.). However, this seems to be an option that few opt for and our concern therefore is of isolation and limited employment opportunities or at least reasonably well paid ones.
I have relatives in the area (Grafton) and as a travel agent have tentatively been offerd work here. My husband by trade is a mechanical engineer but has worked within sales & marketing management for the last few years.
Any views, comments, thoughts, advise, ect would be welcomed and would love to hear from others on the NSW North Coast.
Cheers,
Gubbin
Having just returned from Oz on our visa validation trip we're struggling to reach a decision as to where to settle. We're tempted to opt for something other than the obvious city destinations and are considering the NSW North Coast (Ballina, Yamba, Coffs Harbour, etc.). However, this seems to be an option that few opt for and our concern therefore is of isolation and limited employment opportunities or at least reasonably well paid ones.
I have relatives in the area (Grafton) and as a travel agent have tentatively been offerd work here. My husband by trade is a mechanical engineer but has worked within sales & marketing management for the last few years.
Any views, comments, thoughts, advise, ect would be welcomed and would love to hear from others on the NSW North Coast.
Cheers,
Gubbin
Mar 9th 2004 | 12:36 am
#2
Banned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,430
Re: Life outside of the cities?
Originally posted by gubbin
Hi all,
Having just returned from Oz on our visa validation trip we're struggling to reach a decision as to where to settle. We're tempted to opt for something other than the obvious city destinations and are considering the NSW North Coast (Ballina, Yamba, Coffs Harbour, etc.). However, this seems to be an option that few opt for and our concern therefore is of isolation and limited employment opportunities or at least reasonably well paid ones.
I have relatives in the area (Grafton) and as a travel agent have tentatively been offerd work here. My husband by trade is a mechanical engineer but has worked within sales & marketing management for the last few years.
Any views, comments, thoughts, advise, ect would be welcomed and would love to hear from others on the NSW North Coast.
Cheers,
Gubbin
Hi all,
Having just returned from Oz on our visa validation trip we're struggling to reach a decision as to where to settle. We're tempted to opt for something other than the obvious city destinations and are considering the NSW North Coast (Ballina, Yamba, Coffs Harbour, etc.). However, this seems to be an option that few opt for and our concern therefore is of isolation and limited employment opportunities or at least reasonably well paid ones.
I have relatives in the area (Grafton) and as a travel agent have tentatively been offerd work here. My husband by trade is a mechanical engineer but has worked within sales & marketing management for the last few years.
Any views, comments, thoughts, advise, ect would be welcomed and would love to hear from others on the NSW North Coast.
Cheers,
Gubbin
Mar 9th 2004 | 12:53 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 987
If it is just you and hubby and you can afford to take a gamble then go for it.
you dont want to look back in a few years and think `if only`.
you can always move on again after if you are not happy.
you dont want to look back in a few years and think `if only`.
you can always move on again after if you are not happy.
Mar 9th 2004 | 1:03 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Very much a personal choice.
I find that outside of the cities, Australian small towns are boring brain dead places where the Hoons abound due to boredom. Most young people marry as early as possble and have big families to keep themselves occupied.
Australia is not like Britain in that you are usually only 1-2 hours drive from the nearest large town/city. In the country in Australia you can end up really isolated.
I would not live outside of a city in Australia but then I was brought up in the suburbs around London.
I find that outside of the cities, Australian small towns are boring brain dead places where the Hoons abound due to boredom. Most young people marry as early as possble and have big families to keep themselves occupied.
Australia is not like Britain in that you are usually only 1-2 hours drive from the nearest large town/city. In the country in Australia you can end up really isolated.
I would not live outside of a city in Australia but then I was brought up in the suburbs around London.
Mar 9th 2004 | 1:36 am
#5
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 37
From: Dudley, West Midlands
Originally posted by S Oldfield
If it is just you and hubby and you can afford to take a gamble then go for it.
you dont want to look back in a few years and think `if only`.
you can always move on again after if you are not happy.
If it is just you and hubby and you can afford to take a gamble then go for it.
you dont want to look back in a few years and think `if only`.
you can always move on again after if you are not happy.
Gubbin
Mar 9th 2004 | 4:09 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,506
From: Sydney beachside
Re: Life outside of the cities?
Originally posted by gubbin
Hi all,
Having just returned from Oz on our visa validation trip we're struggling to reach a decision as to where to settle. We're tempted to opt for something other than the obvious city destinations and are considering the NSW North Coast (Ballina, Yamba, Coffs Harbour, etc.). However, this seems to be an option that few opt for and our concern therefore is of isolation and limited employment opportunities or at least reasonably well paid ones.
I have relatives in the area (Grafton) and as a travel agent have tentatively been offerd work here. My husband by trade is a mechanical engineer but has worked within sales & marketing management for the last few years.
Any views, comments, thoughts, advise, ect would be welcomed and would love to hear from others on the NSW North Coast.
Cheers,
Gubbin
Hi all,
Having just returned from Oz on our visa validation trip we're struggling to reach a decision as to where to settle. We're tempted to opt for something other than the obvious city destinations and are considering the NSW North Coast (Ballina, Yamba, Coffs Harbour, etc.). However, this seems to be an option that few opt for and our concern therefore is of isolation and limited employment opportunities or at least reasonably well paid ones.
I have relatives in the area (Grafton) and as a travel agent have tentatively been offerd work here. My husband by trade is a mechanical engineer but has worked within sales & marketing management for the last few years.
Any views, comments, thoughts, advise, ect would be welcomed and would love to hear from others on the NSW North Coast.
Cheers,
Gubbin
Of the the three, definitely leave out Coffs Harbour and Yamba. Coffs Harbour has a LOT of unemployment - too many Sydneyites have moved up there for cheap housing near the beach only to find they're no different from everyone else and can't get a job either.
Yamba is pretty small and rather dependent on fishing I believe.
Ballina would be my choice. Absolutely fantastic scenery around there, not too far from Grafton, Lismore and the alternative delights of Byron Bay. Not far from the Gold Coast for when you want some civilization(!) and of course Brisbane's not much further. Roads are greatly improved in that area so getting in and out is better than it used to be.
Good cross-section of people in the area - not like your average country area which Goodpubmisser sums up pretty well. Lots of cafes, restaurants, shops, wierdos etc in Byron Bay and surrounding villages.
Nearly convinced myself - might have to move there too!
