Expert: Frank Denison - 5/1/2008

Question
Hello Frank,

My wife and I are preparing to move to Australia from the USA in about a year.  She is a Physio from South Africa and I am therapist from Florida.  We are in the final stages of completing a skilled migration visa.  We currently reside in Florida and are looking for an area with warm climate, health care jobs, etc.

However, we have 3 children and are very active.  We want to ensure our children are able to participate in activities such as dance, music and sports.  

Our recruiter seems to have a lot of jobs in the areas of Toowoomba and Ipswitch.  

We are used to a "metro/suburban" lifestyle with plenty to do.

My questions?

Are these areas family freindly with a wide range of activities and good schools?

Are they too far from Brisbane's Metro and CBD?

Do you reccomend any areas close by Toowoomba and Ispwitch that are family friendly (we want to make sure our children have friends to play with etc)

Finally........Crime?  Are there areas of Brisbane that we should avoid.

We are leaving Miami to escape high crime, heavy traffic, high cost of living, and a slowing economy..but will miss the beaches, weather,cultures and activities

IS QLD for us?  My wife's sister lives in Sydney part of the year.  She states we should move there other's reccomend QLD.

Kind Regards.  

Answer
G'day Chris,
           The areas of Toowoomba and Ipswitch are  cities at least an hour from Brisbane. I have travelled to work for both and know them both very well.

I am curious why your recruiter has suggested those 2 cities, just because of jobs. Brisbane is in a boom at the moment, and jobs are readily available. I would not recommend Ipswich to settle in.

Toowoomba is about a 90 minute drive from Brisbane. It is a beautiful city, but it is at a high elevation, and gets very very cold during winter. While it is a good city, and would offer a range of schools. I would not recommend living in Toowoomba in preference to Brisbane. They are both a long drive to the CBD of Brisbane.

You asked " Do you reccomend any areas close by Toowoomba and Ispwitch that are family friendly (we want to make sure our children have friends to play with etc? I would bypass both cities, and settle in Brisbane.

You are used to a "metro/suburban" lifestyle with plenty to do, and Brisbane covers all those bases.

Crime - Every city has crime, but I would consider Brisbane a "low crime " city. If you are leaving Miami to escape heavy traffic, Sydney will offer no change. It has awful peak hour traffic. The areas of Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast will offer you some of the best beaches in the world, and are about 1 hours drive from the CBD of Brisbane.

So, to answer your last question, yes, Queensland is for you.

If your move to Australia eventuates, or you need any other help, just contact me again, I am happy to help at any time.

Regards,
Frank