Expert: Ian Smith - 12/10/2007

Question
We are migrating to Australia next year. We have a yound boy (less than 1 year old) and would like to know which city is the best for raising our kid.  Because of the property boom in many major cities like Perth, we are not sure where to move.  Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane (kind of avoiding Perth now because of the big BOOM!) are in our list of consideration.  Adelaide seems to be the cheapest to live in.  I have heard the Adelaide  water stink?  Is it true? I had lived in Sydney in the mid-90s, would love to go back there but I am worried by the cost of living there.

Answer
It's very difficult to answer because I don't know what your requirements are.
However, my answer, based on best style of living, would be Newcastle.  This is reflected in a survey of all major cities in Australia where all the factors that add up to make living pleasant were taken into consideration and Newcastle came up as number one.
House prices in all major cities have skyrocketed since you were last in town so, of the ones you have listed, if you were looking for economy of housing, Adelaide would have to come into consideration.
However, as I say, it depends exactly what you're after and, if raising a child is your main concern, I would still plump for Newcastle.
If I can help further, please let me know.
Cheers, Ian Smith