gop

Hi, anybody out there living in Mackay, for example house prices, what is there to do there, is it good for teenagers etc etc, any info please.

Baz

Hi There,

I was there recently with my life, but just passing through, not really looking at the place as somewhere to live. But i can give you our general impressions. It seems like a nice town, pretty, has alot of Aussie character, and i would imagine you can buy pretty much whatever you need there. There is an airport there too, where you can get national flights. I am led to believe property is quite expensive, because of all the mining in the area. What has happened is that all the mining staff have come to the area, bought places, which has pushed the prices up. Question is, what will happen when the mines have moved away, as there is nothing left to mine or whatever, will the market fall through, and the value of your previously expensive property de-value? I don't know, but i was speaking to a local cop there and it does seem to be crossing some peoples minds there. It did have the feeling when we were there, that we were in the "arse end of nowhere," i felt the place was quite isolated. From memory the nearest place of any size is Townsville to the north, which is quite a hike away. Depends what you are looking for i guess.

One thing we learned from our fact finding mission to Queensland, is that one persons idea of paradise, can be another persons idea of hell, and vice versa. We had all sorts of people telling us good and bad things about places, then we would get there, and usually find the opposite. You really just have to got here and check it out for yourself. Good luck!

Baz

"Iwas there recently with my life" should have been "i was there recently with my wife" (!)

Forgot to say, in term of things to do there, we did not get the impression there was much going on. Perhaps if you speak to a local they may know of more stuff happening, but you just need to look at the lonely planet book as a rough gague for activities, and there is not much. Depends what you are looking for though i guess.

sa2oz

Mackay is a quiet place. Homes are expensive. I think at least as expensive as Bribane. A doctor was looking to buy a home here, the went to Brisbane and reckons for similar money $450k there is better value in Brisbane. There a several good schools, movies, a few shopping centres. Of course some clubs. It seems smaller than Townsville and less commercialised. Boating and fishing are big here. It is very hot and humid apart from a few cold (well I think cool) months. People seem to park really badly, and drive only a little better. 2 hospitals, several doctors. Dentists are scarce and heavily booked. Great beaches, but no waves to speak of. Shoudnt swim in summer unless you have a stinger suit but many do anyway. We have been here 2 years and will stay as long as we can.

Pollyana

Describes most of Queensland really

sa2oz

Now that you mention it, I think you are right!

Bert'n'Stella

Hiya,

We have been in Mackay now for 9 months. Some things are good and some we dont enjoy. We rent but it is very expensive to rent and very very difficult to get into a rental, unless you know someone at the real estate or someone who knows someone. That pretty much goes for renting and jobs. It took me 4 months to find a job here in Mackay. Ok, I turned a few down in that time but that was because the money was not worth it - it wouldnt cover shopping etc let alone anything else, plus they were 6 days a week positions working Saturdays too. The job i have now is fine though.

House prices are expensive, in terms of value for money. As the other poster said you can get better value in Brisbane. I would say that would be accurate. The mines are expected to flourish for at least another 10 years and if you are into that type of work your paypacket will reward you. Electricians etc out there earn $100k a year +. BUT, the downside is to get a tradesman in Mackay is very difficult - they are all out at the mines!

Weatherwise winter has been lovely. 22c and sunny mostly. THey are burning the cane just now so the air smells of toffee. Summer is very very humid - you will definately want somewhere with air con.

I guess it depends what you want from a town. We wanted to be out of the city but enjoy some things that we are wondering if you need to be near the city to enjoy. Such as nice restaurants (not found any great ones yet here). The other problem with Mackay is bored kids with nothing to do - so they hang out at the shopping centre and do burnouts wherever they can find a place to. Luckily we are in a good street.

Driving is truly atrocious (and I am Ozzie), but that could be a Queensland thing

If you let us know what you want out of where you live, I can probably give you a better idea of Mackay. The people here are friendly for the most part, if that helps.