Australia or New Zealand?
Discussion
Hello fellow ex-pats! The company I work for has offices in Brisbane and Christchurch, and due to growth over the last 18 months both locations are open to transfers. The dilemma is which one to go for?
I've been to Christchurch several times for just a couple of weeks a time, so I know it fairly well, but obviously living in a new country/city is a whole different ball game. Not been to Brisbane yet...
From research and experiences, I gather the following (please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong):
Christchurch pros:
- Mild weather that's still generally better and warmer than UK, winter lasts approximately 3 months
- Beautiful landscape/country/roads
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Fuel prices
Cons
- Lower wages than UK and Aus?
- Higher cost of living?
- Earthquakes
- Overpriced housing and built to a lower quality (no central heating, poor insulation etc)
Brisbane pros:
- Warmer weather for longer periods throughout the year
- Fuel prices
- The crumpet
- Winter? What winter?
- Cheaper housing than NZ
- Higher wages?
Cons
- Humidity?
- Spiders/snakes (I loathe spiders and the thought of having to check everything)
- Stamp duty/higher taxes?
- Housing bubble/economy heading for recession?
- Nanny state speed enforcement
- Car prices
FYI I'm a Business Analyst, so will need to consider long-term prospects too. Your thoughts/input is much appreciated
I've been to Christchurch several times for just a couple of weeks a time, so I know it fairly well, but obviously living in a new country/city is a whole different ball game. Not been to Brisbane yet...
From research and experiences, I gather the following (please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong):
Christchurch pros:
- Mild weather that's still generally better and warmer than UK, winter lasts approximately 3 months
- Beautiful landscape/country/roads
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Fuel prices
Cons
- Lower wages than UK and Aus?
- Higher cost of living?
- Earthquakes
- Overpriced housing and built to a lower quality (no central heating, poor insulation etc)
Brisbane pros:
- Warmer weather for longer periods throughout the year
- Fuel prices
- The crumpet
- Winter? What winter?
- Cheaper housing than NZ
- Higher wages?
Cons
- Humidity?
- Spiders/snakes (I loathe spiders and the thought of having to check everything)
- Stamp duty/higher taxes?
- Housing bubble/economy heading for recession?
- Nanny state speed enforcement
- Car prices
FYI I'm a Business Analyst, so will need to consider long-term prospects too. Your thoughts/input is much appreciated
All down to personal taste of course (and I am in Wellington after 8 years in Brisbane), but:
Wellington pros:
- Mild weather that's similar to UK,
- Longer evenings in Summer
- Beautiful landscape/country/roads
- Plenty of work in my industry in NZ
- Phoenix are as good as the Roar
Cons
- Lower wages than UK and Aus
- Higher cost of living than UK and Aus
- Overpriced housing and built to a lower quality (no central heating, poor insulation etc)
- Car prices higher than UK and Aus
- Rent higher and you get less
- Aussie V8 racing NOT on free to air
- social life is not cheap
- worst Chinese takeaway I've ever eaten
Brisbane pros:
- Much warmer weather
- Winter? What winter
- Cheaper housing than NZ
- Higher wages
- Not much change in daylight hours during the year
- Aussie V8 racing on free to air
- not pinged at less than 10km/hr over
Cons
- Higher taxes
- Higher Health care
- Nanny state speed enforcement, far more cameras than NZ
- Car prices
- social life/beer is expensive
- worst Chinese takeaway I've ever eaten
here in Wellington, I've been done for 6km/hr over 100km/hr, 3 times all in Jan
In Aus 12 points in first 3 years - good driving bond for 12 months after when changed to QLD license after 1 year
Being an expat is great if you can adjust to a different way of life.
I and my family have, its been 20 years since I lived and worked in the UK.
Wellington pros:
- Mild weather that's similar to UK,
- Longer evenings in Summer
- Beautiful landscape/country/roads
- Plenty of work in my industry in NZ
- Phoenix are as good as the Roar
Cons
- Lower wages than UK and Aus
- Higher cost of living than UK and Aus
- Overpriced housing and built to a lower quality (no central heating, poor insulation etc)
- Car prices higher than UK and Aus
- Rent higher and you get less
- Aussie V8 racing NOT on free to air
- social life is not cheap
- worst Chinese takeaway I've ever eaten
Brisbane pros:
- Much warmer weather
- Winter? What winter
- Cheaper housing than NZ
- Higher wages
- Not much change in daylight hours during the year
- Aussie V8 racing on free to air
- not pinged at less than 10km/hr over
Cons
- Higher taxes
- Higher Health care
- Nanny state speed enforcement, far more cameras than NZ
- Car prices
- social life/beer is expensive
- worst Chinese takeaway I've ever eaten
here in Wellington, I've been done for 6km/hr over 100km/hr, 3 times all in Jan
In Aus 12 points in first 3 years - good driving bond for 12 months after when changed to QLD license after 1 year
Being an expat is great if you can adjust to a different way of life.
I and my family have, its been 20 years since I lived and worked in the UK.
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated 
I must admit, the pull to Brisbane is strong and on paper it would seem to fit my lifestyle. I could happily deal with 25+ degree weather for most of the year and I loathe the cold. I'm not particularly bothered about having seasonal weather. I'd also deal with the higher taxation for that too.
I am concerned about how 'small' Christchurch is and the limited long-term opportunities that may have... Plus Bathurst being driving distance from Brisbane
I must admit, the pull to Brisbane is strong and on paper it would seem to fit my lifestyle. I could happily deal with 25+ degree weather for most of the year and I loathe the cold. I'm not particularly bothered about having seasonal weather. I'd also deal with the higher taxation for that too.
I am concerned about how 'small' Christchurch is and the limited long-term opportunities that may have... Plus Bathurst being driving distance from Brisbane
Toby I'm a Sydney boy who moved north years ago, & love it.
Brisbane offers many choices of lifestyle. I have lived in suburbia not far from the CBD & it was great. However 23 years ago I bought 20 acres 54 kilometres south of Brisbane CBD so the kids could keep show jumpers & eventers. I am in easy commuting range of Brisbane & the Gold Coast, close to all the facilities, but with space & fresh air to burn.
Places like this are no more expensive than a good home in a nice suburb, so the choice is there. The kids & the horses are gone, but it's a great place to fly my remote controlled planes with the grand kids.
One of my neighbours is a dentist. He was in medical research, but got sick of being poor. His practice is only 22Km north in a southern suburb, & he is very far from poor today.
We have great boating, salt or fresh, excellent beaches, plenty of motor sport, & some great driving roads, close enough for a half day run.
The drive to Bathurst is great, on less trafficked country roads. It is the type of run you would enjoy, even if Bathurst was not at the end of it.
Yes I did have air conditioning fitted to my old Triumph TR7, it can be a bit hot at times, but today it is easier to get cool than stay warm, so not a problem.
Brisbane offers many choices of lifestyle. I have lived in suburbia not far from the CBD & it was great. However 23 years ago I bought 20 acres 54 kilometres south of Brisbane CBD so the kids could keep show jumpers & eventers. I am in easy commuting range of Brisbane & the Gold Coast, close to all the facilities, but with space & fresh air to burn.
Places like this are no more expensive than a good home in a nice suburb, so the choice is there. The kids & the horses are gone, but it's a great place to fly my remote controlled planes with the grand kids.
One of my neighbours is a dentist. He was in medical research, but got sick of being poor. His practice is only 22Km north in a southern suburb, & he is very far from poor today.
We have great boating, salt or fresh, excellent beaches, plenty of motor sport, & some great driving roads, close enough for a half day run.
The drive to Bathurst is great, on less trafficked country roads. It is the type of run you would enjoy, even if Bathurst was not at the end of it.
Yes I did have air conditioning fitted to my old Triumph TR7, it can be a bit hot at times, but today it is easier to get cool than stay warm, so not a problem.
I moved to Brisvegas 6 months ago, 2 months ago we bought a family home on 5 acres 30 mins from the CBD for half the price of our 2bd apartment in Sydney.
It's really well set up for families and you can ski on the lakes, swim in the sea or be in driving nirvana all within 30 mins of each other.
The pace of life and work is noticeably more relaxed here. We went through the recent summer and found a lot depends on the type of house and wether you catch a breeze as to how much you will use aircon indoors.
I also have Lakeside race track 15 mins away and about to head there for a track day. Can you tell I like it here
It's really well set up for families and you can ski on the lakes, swim in the sea or be in driving nirvana all within 30 mins of each other.
The pace of life and work is noticeably more relaxed here. We went through the recent summer and found a lot depends on the type of house and wether you catch a breeze as to how much you will use aircon indoors.
I also have Lakeside race track 15 mins away and about to head there for a track day. Can you tell I like it here
Me and my better half are moving to the brisbane area in 19 weeks, as the above post looking at what we can buy for 500k aud 30mins outside brisbane is insane compared to here, bit of land don't want too much but decent 4 bed and pool will do me, looking around karana downs/Mt Crosby as need to be within 30mins of children's hospital for the Mrs.
Hasbeen said:
Toby I'm a Sydney boy who moved north years ago, & love it.
Brisbane offers many choices of lifestyle. I have lived in suburbia not far from the CBD & it was great. However 23 years ago I bought 20 acres 54 kilometres south of Brisbane CBD so the kids could keep show jumpers & eventers. I am in easy commuting range of Brisbane & the Gold Coast, close to all the facilities, but with space & fresh air to burn.
Places like this are no more expensive than a good home in a nice suburb, so the choice is there. The kids & the horses are gone, but it's a great place to fly my remote controlled planes with the grand kids.
One of my neighbours is a dentist. He was in medical research, but got sick of being poor. His practice is only 22Km north in a southern suburb, & he is very far from poor today.
We have great boating, salt or fresh, excellent beaches, plenty of motor sport, & some great driving roads, close enough for a half day run.
The drive to Bathurst is great, on less trafficked country roads. It is the type of run you would enjoy, even if Bathurst was not at the end of it.
Yes I did have air conditioning fitted to my old Triumph TR7, it can be a bit hot at times, but today it is easier to get cool than stay warm, so not a problem.
Thanks for all the replies Brisbane offers many choices of lifestyle. I have lived in suburbia not far from the CBD & it was great. However 23 years ago I bought 20 acres 54 kilometres south of Brisbane CBD so the kids could keep show jumpers & eventers. I am in easy commuting range of Brisbane & the Gold Coast, close to all the facilities, but with space & fresh air to burn.
Places like this are no more expensive than a good home in a nice suburb, so the choice is there. The kids & the horses are gone, but it's a great place to fly my remote controlled planes with the grand kids.
One of my neighbours is a dentist. He was in medical research, but got sick of being poor. His practice is only 22Km north in a southern suburb, & he is very far from poor today.
We have great boating, salt or fresh, excellent beaches, plenty of motor sport, & some great driving roads, close enough for a half day run.
The drive to Bathurst is great, on less trafficked country roads. It is the type of run you would enjoy, even if Bathurst was not at the end of it.
Yes I did have air conditioning fitted to my old Triumph TR7, it can be a bit hot at times, but today it is easier to get cool than stay warm, so not a problem.
really helpful stuff Jamest5r said:
Me and my better half are moving to the brisbane area in 19 weeks, as the above post looking at what we can buy for 500k aud 30mins outside brisbane is insane compared to here, bit of land don't want too much but decent 4 bed and pool will do me, looking around karana downs/Mt Crosby as need to be within 30mins of children's hospital for the Mrs.
Good luck with the bub. My wife and I are having our second in the next week or two and live in Samford Valley. It takes me 35 mins in rush hour to get to the CBD area, we swapped a 2 bd apartment in Sydney for 5 acres and 5 beds with a pool and Kangaroos . Our Hospital is Royal Brisbane Womens, the largest in the Southern hemisphere and it's 25 mins away.custardtart said:
Good luck with the bub. My wife and I are having our second in the next week or two and live in Samford Valley. It takes me 35 mins in rush hour to get to the CBD area, we swapped a 2 bd apartment in Sydney for 5 acres and 5 beds with a pool and Kangaroos . Our Hospital is Royal
Brisbane Womens, the largest in the Southern hemisphere and it's 25 mins away.
Sorry mate that made me laugh wrong end of the stick we're not having a kid the Mrs is a specialist a&e nurse going to work at lady celento childrens hospital, good luck with yours though and hope you don't meet her in a professional capacity . Our Hospital is Royal Brisbane Womens, the largest in the Southern hemisphere and it's 25 mins away.
Jamest5r said:
custardtart said:
Good luck with the bub. My wife and I are having our second in the next week or two and live in Samford Valley. It takes me 35 mins in rush hour to get to the CBD area, we swapped a 2 bd apartment in Sydney for 5 acres and 5 beds with a pool and Kangaroos . Our Hospital is Royal
Brisbane Womens, the largest in the Southern hemisphere and it's 25 mins away.
Sorry mate that made me laugh wrong end of the stick we're not having a kid the Mrs is a specialist a&e nurse going to work at lady celento childrens hospital, good luck with yours though and hope you don't meet her in a professional capacity . Our Hospital is Royal Brisbane Womens, the largest in the Southern hemisphere and it's 25 mins away.
Gassing Station | Australia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff