Melody87

Hi everyone,

I'm really at a loss as to which part of Oz would suit me and my other half best so I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable people might be able to advise

I'm and accountant and my partner is a mechanic/car body repair and painter, we're keen on the idea of starting a classic car repair and paint shop once settled (if that is something the Aussies would be interested in). We are both massively in to classic cars and like forests, beaches, mountain biking and are pretty adventurous.

The middle of a city certainly doesn't hold any appeal but I imagine that will be where all the jobs are we also can't be too far!

We have a Rough Collie so it can't be north Australia or we'd never be able to walk him during the day due to the heat.

I quite fancy Tasmania as the Targa Tasmania holds a lot of appeal but it is always possible to travel so where else would you guys n gals suggest?

Thanks
Mel

BASHO

Melbourne for culture , (convenient for Tasmania) Sydney for fun , Brisbane--and Qld generally - for nothing , Perth'd be to hot for the hound from what you say about the territory and the employment rate in Tasmania is not that flash , Adelaide--weather can be very hot and changeable don't realy know much else never worked there..

Nowhere in any Australian main state/territory city is that far from the countryside and beaches (Except Canberra for beaches) are a mostly given unless you choose a suburb that is inland even then you're not talking a huge trip to get to the nearest.

I wouldn't , personally , go anywhere in the country in any country to settle in the first instance unless it was work related, but then again I'm not a country lover.

There's plenty of threads that are specifics related regarding Aus --which I'm sure you are finding/have found.

All the best

Buzzy--Bee

Your best chance of income is clearly a big city, and Melbourne and Sydney are the biggest by far.

I don't know about Sydney, but here in Melbourne there are a LOT of classic cars, of English, Australian and American flavours. It's a fantastic site to see most Sundays when there's a large group of 1950s massive American cars out on the roads!

One of the great things about Australia is that the country is so easily accessible from the cities, 30 mins from Melbourne and you can be somewhere that feels like its out in the bush. The beaches are fantastic and so accessible from suburban Melbourne. Suburban Sydney also has great beaches.

BB

jackieh23

So you think we don't have long coated breeds of dogs here? Your dog will adapt - and there are air conditioners... There is a severe shortage of panel beaters ( car repair/painters) in Perth and a large number of classic car owners. I am actually attending a Classic Car Rally (Round-The-Houses) run by the Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCCWA) next weekend in Albany WA. I have no idea what the work situation is like in Albany, but it has a cooler climate than Perth and is very rural, fitting your likes.

http://www.vsccwa.com.au/cms/index.p...-and-hillclimb

You could always email the VSCC to see what their thoughts are.

La Vida loca

Dont go to CQ, its just full of......... well you have to be here to believe it....

curlytops

Mel, I live in Tas, as beautiful as it is job opportunities are terrible. If your hubby want his own restoration business then he'll need to be in a catchment area where there are more people, with money to spend. That isn't Tasmania. Areas around Melbourne or Sydney are a much better option. Perth people have the cash to spend, though when I lived there I definitely didn't see as many classic cars there than I do when I go to victoria. I have a working dog too, trying to get a decent place to go for a walk was a bit of a nightmare in WA, as a lot of bush areas are baited for foxes. It can also get stinking hot.

DeadVim

Nothing rocks!

eddie007

Umm. Not SOR there aren't... My OH place just laid a painter and a panel beater off....

The insurance companies are squeezing the life blood out of the industry, like they did in the uk a decade ago.

jackieh23

Interesting eddie. I recently spoke to a friend who is significantly involved in the car industry (albeit north but still metro) who advised his co was going to set up their own panel and paint shop but gave up on the idea as they couldn't get decent panelbeaters....

eddie007

No one in their right mind would travel NOR from this direction....

The trade lost skilled workers to mines and aren't getting quality workmanship out of their newly qualified tradies... It's a dying industry... That and the lack of money in it.

My OH has been in the trade for over 30 years, both in the uk and here... Luckily for him he is happy where he is... If he wasn't he would be getting out of it... The money is Shite

quoll

Go where you can get a job. TBH I don't think there is anywhere that is going to tick all your boxes at the same time so start by applying for all jobs, seeing what you get offered then choosing between them.

Gjn200

Kerching! People pay silly money here for classic resprays (you will need to learn about aussie classics) $10,000 for a respray, even if the customer has taking it down to a rolling shell, is quite common.

Melody87

Wow thanks for all the replies. Good to hear there is a good classic car following too! The outskirts of Melbourne are sounding good but your right we need to have a good look round for jobs first.

Impressed with the cost of a respray! Only 3000 here! It will depend on being able to get a loan to pay for set up as all the gear cost a fortune but I think it would be worth it

Kim67

Alfresco

Yes indeed! Since the search is broken.