PROPERTY BEST PLACES TO LIVE
DARLING DOWNS
(eg Toowoomba)- Recreation and
cultural facilities - Ideal conditions for
gardeners - Sense of community
- Climate is cooler
than in Brisbane
TASMANIA
EAST COAST
(eg St Helens)- Weather (claimed
tohave200daysof
sunshine a year) - Good community
feel - Close to Binalong
Bay(oneofthebest
white sand beaches)
preferredsuburb(theiroldone)hasrocketedinprice,
making it unlikely they will be able to return.
Fittinginwiththelocalsmaybemorechallenging
than some people realise. Move to an area popular with
tourists and you may find that you are only one of a few
permanent residents in the street. On weekends and
holidays you could find that people just want to relax
anddon’twanttosocialisewithlocals.Oneretireesaid
shefeltlikeadefactosecurityservicefortheholiday
houses in the street.
Willyoufitin?Onewayoffindingoutistosubscribe
tothelocalnewspaperforatleast18monthsbefore
youmakeadecision.Readingthroughthelocalnews
shouldenableyoutoidentifythecommunityissues,
the types of sport, recreation and culture available and
what makes the area tick.
HOWTOMAKEADECISION
Willamoveberightforyou?Noonecandefinitively
answerthatbutmakingachecklistof“essentials”and
“wants” may help. If you have a partner it’s important
foryoubothtomakealisttocompare.Perhapsyouwill
findthatyouhaveallyouwantwhereyouare,orclose
by,sothesearchbecomesalittleeasier.
Anecdotallywehavefoundthatpeoplewhomake
successfulmoveshavemovednomorethan200kilo-
metres, or two hours’ drive. Living relatively close to
where you used to live allows you to return to favourite
service providers (for example, hairdresser, mechanic,
medicalprofessionals)andalsointimesofcelebration
or crisis.
Of course, there are exceptions, such as people who
areusedtomovingtoanewcommunityduringtheir
workinglives,orpeoplewhomovetobecloserto
family and friends.
We’vemetquiteafewretireeswholiveonBribie
Island, in southern Queensland, who comment on the
friendlinessoftheplace.Onepersonwhohadmoved
from interstate said: “A lot of us have moved from
different areas, so we have all been new residents and
have made an effort to get to know people.”HEALTH FACILITIES
Check out the medical
facilities and the number
of doctors and other
professionals in the area.
Askforacopyofthe
health service’s annual
report,speaktothehos-
pitalmanager,director
of nursing, doctors, and
retirement and nursing
home managers.SECURITY
Speaktothelocalpolice
and Neighbourhood
Watch and ask about
crimeintheareaand
innovative programs.AGOODREAD
Subscribe to the local
newspaper for at least 18months before moving. It
will give you an idea of the
community issues and
social,sportingandrecre-
ational opportunities.LOCAL FEEL
Chat with the locals.
What are the good and
not-so-good things?INFORMATION
Visit the information
centre and ask about the
area.Oftenthevolunteers
are retirees who have
moved there.NEWRESIDENTKITS
Checkwiththecouncil
if it has kits with
information about the
services and facilities.CLIMATE
CheckwiththeBureauof
Meteorology. Consider
weather patterns in the
area, and find out if it gets
four distinct seasons,
dry heat or humidity, and
if the environment will
affect any allergies.TRANSPORT
Look at the public trans-
port options – for your-
self,aswellasvisiting
friends and family.SMALL BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES
Find out if there are
reasonable prospects of
finding employment, and
ifyouareallowedtoruna
small business at home.CHECKLISTWHAT TO CONSIDER IN MAKING THE BIG DECISION