physiogirl76

Hi there,
I have been living in Sydney for almost 3 years now after spending some time back in Europe (lived in Brisbane prior to that).
While I think that Sydney is a great city, the cost of living and traffic/commute is slowly getting to me and I have been considering a move back to Brisbane (I heard that it has changed a lot for the better over the past few years). Since my background is in healthcare (currently working in insurance though), my salary is not really much higher than what I would earn in Brisbane so the numbers don't stack up. I am on around 85k and pay almost 50% of my net income in rent. I still manage to save as I don't need a lot of luxury - yes, I could reduce my rental costs but that would mean either living in a shoebox/poorly maintained apartment or in a less desirable / dormitory suburb. I am in my early 40s (single) and I am well over sharing... Also, I find that the quality of a lot of apartments are of poor quality considering the costs and taking into account my budget.
I don't really mind the climate in Brisbane (back then, when I lived there, I found that there were only a few weeks/year which were unbearable) and obviously, with much cheaper rents, I could afford a decent quality apartment (with air con etc.) in one of the popular suburbs close to the city.
While I enjoy the occasional night out, I am well over the clubbing scene - my priority these days is to be able to travel from A to B quickly (e.g. for short trips when leaving the city behind) while still having good access to restaurants/bars and cafes.
Has anybody made the move from Sydney to Brisbane lately? I'd be particularly interested in experiences from single people and/or people without kids (I know Brisbane is a very family orientated city). What do you like - and is there anything you miss?

bcworld

I think you've hit a number of nails on the head. One thing I always notice about Sydney is that rental costs in comparable areas are way, way, way higher than in Melbourne & Brisbane...and in many cases there is no salary differential to cover it. I have worked for companies with offices in all state capitals and there has never been a Sydney loading.

Next, despite the hyperbole of certain Sydney residents on here, there isn't that much difference between Brisbane & Sydney climate wise. If you've lived there before you'd probably know almost all apartments are constructed without central a/c and many landlords will not have installed it...just make sure you have it in the bedroom and I think that's really all you need.

Obviously if the beach is your thing it's far less readily accessible in Brisbane...although don't know where you are in Sydney.

goldchoccycoin

I'm similar age and a single female in Brisbane - but I've never lived in Sydney. I find plenty of things to do and find lots of people to hang out with. Depends what you enjoy but I jog/walk/cycle around the various bits of Brisbane (I think it is a beautiful city), eat out (brunch and dinner at least once a week - on my own or with friends), head to the coast (Sunshine Coast is my preference) on the weekends or enjoy one of the many festivals/events that seem to be on every weekend.

Rents are dropping for units in and around Brisbane as many blocks are being built. Many available within 15kms of the for under $400 (brand new, 2 bed units).

Best of luck with your decision and potential move.

Beoz

Why Brisbane? Why not Melbourne? If rent is your main beef (commuting is a city phenomenon, not just a Sydney phenomenon) according to Bcworld, Melbourne has cheaper rents.

physiogirl76

Thanks for your replies.
I currently live on the Northern Beaches which of course are lovely but the big downside is the commute - and most of my friends live on the Lower North Shore (where I used to live) so it can feel a bit isolated. I guess, I am looking for a well-balanced option between cost of living, standard of housing and commute. Should I decide to stay in Sydney (if I find a job which pays a higher salary), I would probably move back to the Lower North Shore.
I enjoy the beach but would probably be happy to travel there during the weekends.
Melbourne is a great place and I love to visit - I could probably live there easily, however, to be honest, I prefer Brisbane's lush subtropical feel and hilly terrain and the fact that it's easier to get around (as it's smaller). It's not just about the city(Sydney and Melbourne have more to offer IMHO) but I adore the green lush hinterland and coastline which - from memory - make great daytrips. Besides, I have a few friends in Brisbane - whereas I don't know anybody in Melbourne so moving to a place where I already have a certain social network is more appealing to me.

I guess, all 3 cities are nice places to live - provided that you have a job which pays decently and that you enjoy and when you´re surrounded by nice people I am aware that it is a very individual decision...

Beoz

Sounds to me like this is the trick. I have noticed that it can be difficult to get an annual pay rise much past inflation. Unless there is a mass exodus of people companies tend to sit on there hands right now. However there are some really good pay rises if you are prepared to move companies as good people are hard to find and unemployment is low in Sydney.

Tell me 2 good things about Brisbane.

1. Suncorp Stadium (best in Australia)
2. Lush subtropical feel and hilly terrain

You finally found number 2. Well done.

physiogirl76

I think we all know by now that you´re not a Brisbane fan, Beoz

Just a note on the recommendation to get a higher paid job: I actually do intend to change companies and apply for other jobs - and once this is sorted - adjust my living situation accordingly as I think a big chunk of the problem is the fact that I don`t really like the job I´m in anymore (or rather the company...) combined with the feeling of being stuck in a hamster wheel. However, it´s not always possible to "just get a higher paid job" - even in Sydney, it really depends on the industry. I could probably walk straight into a dozen other jobs but they are basically paying very similar salaries. Just because unemployment is low and there is a shortage of qualified workers, doesn´t necessarily mean higher salaries. If you´re not working in Finance, IT or engineering, I am not sure, whether it´s true that Sydney always has higher salaries. And then the rents/housing are just disproportionate to the wages...
E.g. Queensland Health has higher rates/wages than NSW Health (just using this as an example) or: if I transferred to Brisbane (with my current company), my salary would be the same as it´s the role that has a certain pay band - not the location.

bcworld

It's not even true in IT...can't comment on the other two.

Amazulu

Definitely not in engineering

Even in the depths of the recent trough in the super cycle here, I was earning more than I could get in Sydney. In my gig it's:
Perth
Brisbane (maybe Darwin - but now fading)
Sydney/Melbourne
Socialistland (Adelaide, Hobart)

Beoz

There is no industry in what you do in Sydney or Melbourne. Mining / Oil / Gas.

However, whilst you were all sitting on the sidelines in the recent trough with no jobs whatsoever, there were infrastructure jobs on the east coast demanding people with Mining / Oil / Plant skills which in many respects are far more advanced than what traditional infrastructure can provide.

Difference being, when mining / oil / gas kicks off the return is big dollars and hence they will pay for the skills when needed. Hence the peaks and trough cycle. The return on infrastructure is not as large hence the dollars are not like mining / oil / gas make hay while the sun shines approach.

Just working with some Oil / Gas / Mining guys turned Infrastructure guys today who were thinking of heading back west for the new pick up.

Should be interesting with both sectors going full speed at the same time (if west coast gets back to full speed).

Beoz

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It's a simple question which answers a lot about the place.

I don't ask the same question of Melbourne, Hobart or Perth because there's a lot more than 2 answers for those places.

But if it works for you then go for it. Still sounds like you need convincing though.

Amazulu

I had a job

It's all about $ - and the $ just aren't there in Sydney for me. Even in the trough, I was earning more than I could earn in Sydney

Work wise, building services are the mud race of electrical design - it's brain dead engineering

Add to that the fact that I don't like Sydney and it's win, win

Beoz

Building Services? If you are still lingering in building services in the current infrastructure boom good luck to your wallet.

No Oil / Gas / Mining in Melb or Syd. Zero. None.

Hence you are stuck in Perth or Aberdeen forever. Now that truly sucks. Bad luck.

Amazulu

I'm not

Or Reading, Singapore, Houston, Denver, London, Rotterdam, Louisiana - E3 visa readily available - but Perth suits me just fine. Aberdeen would be okay too - great pubs

Beoz

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Slim pickings then. Not many to choose from. Especially anything good.

I guess I pub nearby would be a good thing coming out of Perth.