If you’re seriously considering putting down roots and buying a house somewhere in this wonderful continent, it’s a safe bet to assume you’re already hooked on the Aussie lifestyle – laid back, friendly, diverse, bordering on the sports obsessed, and offering all services and amenities you need.
Australia is home to major cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin – but there are also hundreds more large regional cities and even more smaller towns to choose from. Selecting the right state for you is not straightforward. It depends on your lifestyle aspirations, what you are interested in, whether you are working or retired, have a family or partner to consider. All the states in this country have much to offer their residents and attraction is definitely in the eye of the beholder. Choosing where to buy is an entirely personal decision.
Here’s our State Snapshot, by no means complete, but it’s a start.
Compare Home Loans
NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney, the state’s capital, is the largest city in Australia. It’s best known for its harbour-front Opera House with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and Circular Quay are hubs of waterside life, with the towering, arched Harbour Bridge and beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens nearby.
Sydney does insomnia very well. It’s a city that’s constantly buzzing and alive around the clock, with things to do and see, no matter what your passion. It’s that very energy that people either love or hate. Too crowded, too congested, too much pressure, too expensive – Sydney’s not for everyone – but it is a mecca for entertainment and business. Add the temperate climate and gorgeous beaches like Bondi, Coogee and Manly and it’s easy to see why so many fall in love with our most populated capital city.
Drive out of Sydney in any direction and you’ll experience the brilliance of regional New South Wales with its diverse range of attractions – Hunter Valley wines, stunning Blue Mountains scenery, rolling farmland and wildlife that’s the envy of the world. Many choose the best of both worlds – living a more relaxed lifestyle in the regions while being close enough to go the “Big Smoke” for special occasions.
Fast Facts
Median house price in Sydney – $1,025.478
Average Home & Contents Insurance premiums for NSW, according to Canstar, – $1,158.31
Average wage, Sydney – $57,612
Sydney’s population – 4,757,083
Median age in Sydney – 36.1 years
Average wage, regional NSW – $53,917
Regional NSW population – 7,410,399
Median age in regional NSW – 37.8 years
Estimated 2016 school costs for metropolitan Sydney (all schooling costs in this report have been sourced from the Australian Scholarships Group)
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$3,657
$5,069
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$7,101
$13,977
Private Schools
$6,915
$17,414
$28,585
Estimated 2016 school costs for regional New South Wales
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,853
$3,787
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$5,697
$9,630
Private Schools
$6,915
$10,232
$19,007
VICTORIA
Melbourne, Victoria’s coastal capital, is a city of stately 19th-century buildings and tree-lined boulevards. Yet at its centre is the strikingly modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, restaurants and cultural events along the Yarra River. In Southbank, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and National Gallery of Victoria, displaying Australian and Indigenous art.
It’s often said that Melbourne reminds one of Europe and it certainly does have that feel, particularly with its network of laneway bars and restaurants. I love the trams, the layout of the city with its grid-like system, and the diversity of the culture. Melbourne is also known in horse racing circles worldwide for its rich Melbourne Cup, run in November every year. And it’s home turf for Australian Football League or AFL footy (I did warn you than Australians were verging on the sports obsessed). As a bonus, the Victorian countryside is a magnet for sightseers. For instance, within an hour from Melbourne you will be at the start of the Great Ocean Road, a stunning 6-hour oceanfront drive covering some 240 kilometres. It is one of Australia’s biggest attractions.
And the downside? Lousy weather. Melbourne in particular is widely joked about as having very cold winters and four seasons’ weather in one day.
Fast Facts
Median house price in Melbourne – $718,000
Average Home & Contents Insurance premiums for Victoria, according to Canstar – $820.92
Average wage, Melbourne – $52,470
Melbourne’s population – 4,347,955
Median age in Melbourne – 36.1 years
Average wage, regional Victoria – $50,246
Regional Victorian population – 5,739,341
Median age in regional Victoria – 37.3 years
Estimated 2016 school costs for metropolitan Melbourne
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$3,390
$5,240
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$6,504
$12,669
Private Schools
$6,915
$15,280
$26,957
Estimated 2016 school costs for regional Victoria
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,653
$3,551
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$4,639
$9,194
Private Schools
$6,915
$9,726
$19,807
How much could you borrow? Try a home loan calculator
QUEENSLAND
Brisbane, capital of Queensland, is a big, modern city set on the Brisbane River. Clustered in its South Bank cultural precinct are institutions including Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, with noted interactive exhibitions, and Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, among Australia’s major contemporary art museums. Looming over the city is Mt. Coot-tha, site of sprawling Brisbane Botanic Gardens, with panoramic views from its summit.
While still a capital city of note, Brisbane is more laidback than the other east-coast cities. A lot of this has got to do with its sub-tropical weather which seems to engender a relaxed lifestyle. The glorious beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are not far away with their theme park attractions and hinterland rain forest respites.
Within the state of Queensland are stunning locations like Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and its islands. Go west and you’ll shake off the crowds and experience the beginning of the vast outback this country is famous for. The Sunshine State is home to so many places you could quite easily put down roots. As with any state, the regions offer a great lifestyle that is cheaper than the capital cities. However, the downside is that employment opportunities can be limited.
Fast Facts
Median house price in Brisbane – $718,000
Average Home & Contents Insurance premiums for Queensland, according to Canstar – $1,204.13
Average wage, Brisbane – $52,171
Brisbane’s population – 2,238,394
Median age in Brisbane – 35 years
Average wage, regional Queensland – $49,863
Regional Queensland population – 4,656,803
Median age in regional Queensland – 36.6 years
Estimated 2016 school costs for metropolitan Brisbane
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,770
$4,167
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$7,018
$13,366
Private Schools
$6,915
$12,268
$18,807
Estimated 2016 school costs for regional Queensland
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,706
$3,484
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$6,811
$10,688
Private Schools
$6,915
$11,853
$16,406
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, jealously guards its reputation as Australia’s arts capital, boasting a multitude of festivals, a vibrant live music scene, galleries, design and fashion, theatre, architecture. It’s also known as the “City of Churches” for its history of religious diversity. It’s a quiet city – some would say too quiet – but that’s what families love about it. Adelaide is easy to get around, has very little traffic congestion and is not very expensive compared to other cities. On the downside, some say there’s really nothing to do there.
The average winter temperature is a mild 15-16 degrees Celsius. 2,500 hours of sunshine a year means South Australians enjoy outdoor living almost year round. South Australia is known as a wine and food centre (the Barossa Valley is right on Adelaide’s doorstep) with 13 wine regions and a higher ratio of cafes and restaurants to residents than any other city in Australia.
South Australia has many contrasts with rugged outback wilderness, scenic mountain ranges, an extensive coastline, offshore islands and the mighty, meandering Murray River. There are also national parks and world heritage listed areas to explore and an outdoor adventure to suit everyone.
Fast Facts
Median house price in Adelaide – $430,000
Average Home & Contents Insurance premiums for South Australia, according to Canstar – $792.61
Average wage, Adelaide – $47,863
Adelaide’s population – 1,291,666
Median age in Adelaide – 38.8 years
Average wage, regional South Australia – $46,551
Regional South Australia population – 1,670,827
Median age in regional South Australia – 39.8 years
Estimated 2016 school costs for metropolitan Adelaide
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,770
$4,167
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$7,018
$13,366
Private Schools
$6,915
$12,268
$18,307
Estimated 2016 school costs for regional South Australia
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,413
$4,096
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$6,476
$12,116
Private Schools
$6,915
$9,848
$15,653
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth, capital of Western Australia, sits where the Swan River meets the southwest coast. Its suburbs lie along sandy beaches, and the huge, riverside Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Mt. Eliza offer sweeping views of the city. The Perth Cultural Centre houses the state ballet and opera companies, and occupies its own central precinct, including a theatre, art galleries and the Western Australian Museum. Perth is renowned for its abundant parkland, beaches and snorkelling sites. Across the Swan River is Fremantle, a port city noted for its 19th-century architecture.
Western Australia is an expansive state made up mostly of arid Outback terrain. Most of its population is concentrated in its fertile southwest corner, home to the Margaret River wine region and popular surfing spots. There’s no doubt this state has unsurpassed natural attractions but “the West” battles one major hurdle – it’s isolated. So isolated the locals refer to the rest of Australia as “the East”. Perth is about as close to the rest of the populated Australia as London is to Moscow. This bothers some people but not all. To them, in the end, it’s all about wonderful climate and long stretches of beaches.
Fast Facts
Median house price in Perth – $535,000
Average Home & Contents Insurance premiums for Western Australia, according to Canstar – $994.63
Average wage, Perth – $58,181
Perth’s population – 1,972,358
Median age in Perth – 35.5 years
Average wage, regional Western Australia – $57,365
Regional Western Australian population – 2,519,321
Median age in regional Western Australia – 35.8 years
Estimated 2016 school costs for metropolitan Perth
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,377
$4,204
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$6,156
$13,595
Private Schools
$6,915
$11,678
$20,996
Estimated 2016 school costs for regional Western Australia
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$1,982
$3,211
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$5,065
$8,106
Private Schools
$6,915
$9,800
$16,216
TASMANIA
There’s a lot to like about Tasmania. It has island remoteness, a rich history and world heritage wilderness, among other things. Hobart, capital of Tasmania, sits on the River Derwent off the coast of Australia. At its fashionable Salamanca Place, old sandstone warehouses host galleries and cafes, and a popular market is held on Saturdays. Nearby is Battery Point, a historic district with narrow lanes and colonial-era cottages. The city’s backdrop is 1,270m-high Mt. Wellington, a hiking and cycling destination offering sweeping views.
There’s heaps to see and do in “Tassy” – including historic Port Arthur, the rugged Tasman Peninsula, Bruny island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys, Cradle Mountain etc. The bad news is the climate. One step away from Antarctica (the supply ship and ice breaker, Aurora Australis actually leaves for the south pole from Hobart wharf), Tassy can be chilly – averaging between 3 & 11 degrees Celsius during the day in winter, warming up to 17 to 23 degrees in summer. The Hobart waterfront also buzzes with excitement and activity as the world’s best racing yachts arrive at their destination in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race held every Boxing Day.
Fast Facts
Median house price in Hobart – $392,000
Average Home & Contents Insurance premiums for Tasmania, according to Canstar – $805.32
Average wage, Hobart – $45,671
Hobart’s population – 217,973
Median age in Hobart – 39.4 years
Average wage, regional Tasmania – $43,521
Regional Tasmanian population – 513,159
Median age in regional Tasmania– 41.2 years
Estimated 2016 school costs for metropolitan Hobart
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,410
$3,015
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$7,564
$10,258
Private Schools
$6,915
$12,334
$23,016
Estimated 2016 school costs for regional Tasmania
Preschool
Primary
Secondary
Government Schools
$2,413
$2,413
$3,231
Systemic Schools
$4,608
$6,476
$8,687
Private Schools
$6,915
$11,879
$17,091
Sources: ABS & REIA, December 2015 quarter, ASG Education, Canstar 2015 Home & Contents Insurance Star Ratings research
The post Buying property in Australia – a state by state snapshot appeared first on Canstar.