samanthac

Hello everyone,

I am wondering if anyone can give me any advice about Townsville, i am planning on emmigrating to Australia and have a job offer for a hospital in Townsville (providing i get my registration which is proving a pain!! ).

I have read very mixed reviews about the place and was wondering if people who have moved there could let me know their thoughts. Is it good place to move to? what is the city like? and would it be suitable for a younger person (I am 24) moving on their own?

any info would be much appreciated

thanks

sam

Centurion

Where do you live now ? If you currently live somewhere remote and have to fly to actually get anywhere half decent in terms of civilization and like tropical cyclones then it might be your cup of tea.

Seriously, were I 24 and single I could think of a lot of better places. Anywhere would be a start. Just being honest.

But then my opinion is gathered from spending 3 days there once. I think that was 2 days too many.

Turban Explorer

I lived there for 10 months whilst at the Uni. It's not a very pleasant place in our opinion - rather redneck. As soon as the course finished we were out of there like a shot. There isn't really a city centre just spread around shopping malls so you would need a car straight away. Flinders Street has a few pubs and Palmer Street for restaurants - none of which are very good. I'd keep looking in the hope you find somewhere better to be honest.

bcworld

I was there for 16 hours, it was still too long! I don't think my OH & I have ever been so miserable on holiday!

Sally Simpson

Young, free & single? I'd be heading for one of the bigger cities.

Do a search for posts by drdan.

Buzzy--Bee

Great. I'm so glad I have a holiday booked there (actually its Magnetic Island which I hope is a bit better)

BB

Sally Simpson

Oh Maggie island is lovely, not like TV at all.

DeadVim

I worked with a woman from Townsville, she said it's the pits ... by all accounts I wouldn't go anywhere near the place.

Turban Explorer

Magnetic island is nice although there is a big feral drug addict population and some dingy pubs to avoid. Florence Bay is lovely and there are koalas in the wild. We lived at Bright Point right over the ocean - beautiful.. Lying in bed I could see the odd turtle or dolphin. Barefoot cafe is a good restaurant. The IGA is the most expensive shop in the world so take food over!

ExSmoggie

Don't do it! I lived there for about 9 months when I was 25/26 and it wasn't my cup of tea at all! I found the heat and humidity oppressive, I hated the fact that you can't really escape the place unless you fly off somewhere or are prepared to drive for 3 or 4 hrs plus. The shopping centres are crap! They are spread out and all have pretty much the same poor selection of shops in each. There is no real town centre, rent/house prices are high (driven up my army and mining demand), you can't swim in the sea in summer (same as anywhere in the tropics) and there is a ridiculous number of un-coordinated traffic lights!! I appreciate non in themselves are reasons not to move there but little things that start to annoy when you can't escape!

However, I think at your age, your experience in a new place is largely influenced by people you meet etc. If you are lucky to meet a large group of like minded people, you could have a great time anywhere!

samanthac

ok, thanks everyone for your help.

I'll keep looking elsewhere

mandymcqueen

My word what is with the Townsville haters, I have just moved up to Mackay from Brisbane and we went to Townsville for about 10 days for hubby work and stayed with friends that have been there for 2 years now, I thought it was OK, given it isn't as good as the major cities not many designer stores in Townsville but flights to Brisbane are pretty cheap, but hey if I had to move to Townsville to get a visa I would do it in a shot

Centurion

You know nothing in that actually sold Townsville in any way

DeadVim

I dunno, a lack of 'designer stores' is a plus in my book.

bcworld

I didn't go to Townsville expecting designer stores (just as well, because we arrived shorty after 1pm on a Saturday and the town centre had already closed for the day!)...and nothing against FNQ, it was the end of a great week up there in far less developed places than TSV.

Your only real selling point is that it's a mere 1hr 40m flight to Brisbane...that should say it all!