Jon77

Ok, so just got back from a very enjoyable family winter break staying in Launceston northern Tasmania.

My wife has family in the Hobart area but had never been up this way before. We wanted a quick easy break and weren't sure where to go so just looked online at the flight deals and Launceston was about as cheap as it gets for a direct flight from Sydney.

Things didn't start so well as Launceston airport was fog bound on arrival. The plane tried to make a landing but aborted at the last second, we weren't far from the ground at all We ended up circling the airport for half an hour and looked like we were going to be diverted to Melbourne only for the fog to lift at the last moment and let us in.

It was **** cold and we had to rug up but we all ended up loving being in / around Launceston and wondered why we had been before! The setting on two rivers and surrounded by mountains is beautiful. And so many old period homes with amazing views that did remind me of Cornwall. Cataract Gorge is like being in the wild but right in the city.

There are the usual few tatty streets with empty shops that you get in all regional Australia but overall the city seems looked after and it has interesting shops. Found a great chocolate shop for hot chocolate. The locals seemed very friendly also. We must have walked freaking miles around the suburbs!

Anyway this has left us thinking we would love to move there. I don't think I have seen anyone post on here from Launceston. The biggest issue will always be jobs. Just on Tuesday a car parts factory closed down there with the loss of 200 jobs, unemployment is very high. But for me there is a University there which is the sector I work in so there is a chance.

Already looking in to a summer break in a cottage just up the Tamar valley from Launceston

Pollyana

I'm a 'southerner', preferring Hobart (Tassie has a huge north/south divide!) but I'd go to Launceston if there was work there. The island is small enough so it doesn't really matter where you are based as long as you can travel.
Launceston is tattier and more rundown than Hobart but......its still Tassie, there are some lovely spots along the north coast, its close to Melbourne, you just need that job......

ozzieeagle

Got a close workmate that has bought his retirement home in Invermay in Launceston, he rents it out in Positive gearing mode straight from the outset.

I'm definitely going to look at Launceston as a very strong contender for our retirement years.... One thing that gets overlooked by mainlanders, is both Launceston and Hobart offer more, in amenities and choices than almost any other provencial city in any state on the Mainland... Definitely better than any provencial town in Victoria.

My workmate is checking out bargains for me... I may take the purchase leap If I can positively gear as well.

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Kim67

And the fantastic Penny Royal at the bottom of Cataract Gorge, cheap and family friendly - Launceston is lovely.

Jon77

We are seriously looking in to homes in Evandale south of Launceston towards the airport, seems to have the kind of homes we are looking for. Only about 18km's out of Launceston.

We discussed today also buying a house out Evandale way now whilst we are still in Sydney as we could almost afford what we want out right with very little mortgage!

We walked around Invermay and had a chat to a local about this area. Invermay was wiped out in a massive flood in the late 20's, it is built on the flood plain. They are just completing a big flood defense scheme now. Looks a nice enough area but not for us.

Our areas would be Trevallyn (other side of the Tamar from Launceston on the hill), West Launceston or the Evandale area.

Jon77

Yes, we took a look at this, very unusual to see houses in what looks like a quary! Very English looking around that area what with the windmill and the old stone built store houses.

The Stillwater cafe was very nice also.

Was nice to see where my grandfathers uncle moved to also, he had a store on the main street in Launceston until he died in the 40's, we went and found his grave and left him some flowers.

sassie

my brother lives in Trevallyn and loves it. It's so convenient to everywhere really, 10 minute walk to cataract gorge and 15 minute walk into town.

Jon77

Cool I went off the tourist track with my son and did a hike around Trevallyn and was really impressed, had a really good vibe.

I really believe that areas around Launceston are some of the best kept secrets in Australia.

ozzieeagle

Took me long enough to figure out the whole of Tassie is the stand out place in Aus. It gets a bad rap from Aussies as a whole, lots of negative comments about the people being backwards, nothing to do there, sleepy, etc etc. From my perspective none of that was true. I guess they negativity about the cooler weather is true, but in some ways, especially at the height of heatwaves thats a bonus. Plus the cheaper housing means more free money to do what you want to escape the winter... if you feel that way.


I reckon the world will wake up one day and figure out how good it really is, therefore it's a fantastic long term investment as well.

Jon77

One thing that did surprise me was when I was sat in a cafe having an afternoon coffee and a tour bus pulled up and a load of Asians got off. They walked up and down the street and a group stood at the window of the Estate Agent over the road and had a good look. I would say the majority of the other tourists there at the same time as us were Chinese.

Just been looking at a house in Evandale (period place built in the 1850's) with workshop out the back and some land for $199,000!!!!!

ianandhelena

I hope not-we like it just as it is!

ozzieeagle

I reckon the boom will come to Tas when the Aus population hits 30 Million. They'll be enough people in the kind of population that wont be phased by the perceived cooler weather.

I say perceived, because since I've been looking closely at Tasmania, I've realised that in fact Launceston and Hobart have higher night time winter temps than most of provencial Victoria.

Pollyana

Yep, we don't want the place over-run, keep it peaceful!

Kim67

A lot of Aussies would love to move to Tassie, the problem is employment. I know a few that have sold up on the mainland, moved to Tassie and bought something with more of a bang for their buck, then not been able to remain gainfully employed and find it difficult to sell up again to move back. They become all bitter and twisted and end up hating the place.

Amazulu

A great place to retire or if you are financially independent

If not forget about it