Hi there. May be moving to Australia. Which city is better? ie, Jobs, cleanliness, safety,.. etc..? Any tips and info is much appreciated. Thanks=) VanGal

Any thoughts in general regarding either cities would be great=) Thanks again, VanGal

I think Melbourne is bigger and has more people than Brisbane, lol=^^=.

lol thanks Frank ;)

Having lived in both Canada and Australia, I would say that the layouts of cities are quite similar because they’re built by British settlers at the same period. There are always beautiful parks in all cities. However Australian cities are more quite and much less traffic than here. Even in big cities like Sydney, after 6 PM, the atmosphere is like ghost town. Only restaurants and bars are open till night. You can’t find any big stores, like Safeway, that keep open till midnight. Choosing Melbourne vs Brisbane: Melbourne is bigger, but Brisbane has milder climate and very close to Gold Coast, the so-called “Australian Hawaii”.

Oh man, thanks DF, share more with us about Australia if possible:). I have always wanted to live in Australia u know, if I have enough money, I would love to go to Brisbane and invest their real estate. It's like the best vacation resorts people can fine=^^=.

Heeeeeeelp me please=P

why don't you just look up some info from a travel book, i.e. Lonely Planet's Australia book.

I would say if you love tranquility and nature, then Australia is the place to be. The nature is almost unspoiled. If you hike in a national or regional park in Australia, most likely, you’ll be by yourself and you can easily spot wildlife in the natural habitat. But in Canada, parks are commercialized and heavily packed in the summer. You can hardly find any significant wildlife here unless you go deep inside the forest in remote areas and camp for several days (where can we see wild bears close to Vancouver??). In Australia, you can see unique wildlife without having to travel very far from cities. You can find penguins, for example, in urban areas in Kangaroo Island, South Australia or you can see wild dolphins in very close range in West Australian beach, just off Perth. Don't think Aussie has only kangooroos and koalas. The Australian beaches are just great, a real surfing mecca. Unlike Canada where, in my observation, there are no real beaches. Before I come here, I imagine that traffic is like Aussie, but I was completely wrong. There are hardly traffic jams in Australia, except probably in big cities during (BTW, only 3 big cities) during rush hours. There are no traffic jams in suburbs, like Surrey. If you drive out of town in Aussie, you will hardly see any other cars, so in some places like North West Territories, there is no speed limit (because there is hardly anybody, but you). So, I’m really surprised in here when driving down to a remote place like Toffino, the traffic is quite heavy.

I have a few books on Brisbane, and because of the warmer climate, I will probably choose Brisbane in that aspect, however I am looking for personal opinions on the two=)

Thank-you very much for the info DP. Btw, I found this website that lists most if not all species in Australia. Brisbane sounds so beautiful. I love nature, and being outdoors, and being in BC I have yet to see any wildlife other than the bears in a caged pen on Grouse mountain. My boyfriend just left yesterday for Brisbane on business, so I am very excited to hear his views on Brisbane, he will also fly to Melbourne and Auckland New Zealand, so we shall see. So as of now, I think we are debating between Auckland, New Zealand and Brisbane, Australia. Any idea what the climate and life in general is like in Auckland? Thanks. VanGal

For sure ... go with Brisbane. I am an Australian travelling abroad. Brisbane is not quite as advanced with shops etc as Sydney and Melbourne but its the place to be. In the 80s and 90's everony was moving to Sydney and Melbourne. Now, Brisbane, 1200 people per week settle there. Its close to everything and some of the best beaches in the world. After now travelling abroad for some time it's obvious where I will end up living. Until then, im just cruising around checking out what the world has to offer and then moving home to settle down. Take a read of this, its very true! http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A53650 Give me an idea of the things that you like and value personally and I will try and give you the best city to goto out of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

australia's ok, but dont go there for nature... British Columbia is far more beautful than any part of australia... go to australia for great beaches and great beach weather... dont go for skiing... the slopes and the seasons completely suck compared to here. brisbane is a very laid back slow moving city... dont like it much myself, having lived in sydney for 3 years... to me its the only place in australia to live. melbourne... the weather is going to get you down. they are sports crazy... but not sports that you will understand... out of brisbane and melbourne, i would say melbourne, unless you are 100% about beaches... if you are more interested in culture, bars clubs and people... melbournes the place to go. but if i were you, i'd go to sydney.... one of the best cities in the world... you get the beaches, you get good nightlife, the downtown city area is well inhabited, so there is always something open... your 1 hour from melbourne, and 1 hour from brisbane drives to the hunter valley for wine, up the central coast for weekend trips, to the black mountains, and south for some incredible shorelines...

My best bud is in Australia right now, she's lived in a few different cities in the past year including the two your wondering about. Brisbane was her favorite, I dunno why though. Sounds like pretty much everywhere in Australia is friggin awesome. You'll have a blast wherever you choose :-)

I am staying in Melbourne currently and I am from Canada and will be returning soon. I have lived in Vancouver, Melbourne and all across Canada.  To compare the two countries is quite difficult since both are so similar in culture, economics and lifestyle.  The only major difference is the weather, other than that, don't expect any huge culture shocks (except for some increased visible racism in OZ.)  You have a good bet going to Melbourne, as mentioned, for culture, but Brisbane or Sydney would be more for beaches, partying and generally warm weather type folks.  Think California, but with accents.  Melbourne is much more like Canada in its personality and culture.  Especially in relation to Vancouver or Montreal.  You'll have a great time wherever you go, but having lived in both countries I don't see any major ups or downs with each except that OZ has better weather (Melbourne excluded!)  The vast natural beauty of Canada definitely competes with Australia's and I think it's unfair to say which one is better, both have good points.  Good luck on your quest!!!

Hi,

Thought I will contribute a bit about life in Auckland New Zealand. Generally a beautiful place. Tidy, clean, and "green." Plp are friendly. However, traffic is bad, winter is not nice here. Lots of rain, cloudy most days. Can get quite depressing.

I am thinking of going over to Aussie next yr. Also deciding which city.

Whoever the german fella is he is incorrect, the closest beach to brisbane is 50 minutes. And Brisbane has Moreton Bay, home to much endangered marine life like the dugong... it is a very beautiful place. Also,brisbane is a better city. It would be better than Sydney if there were more nightclubs and more nightlife activities.
Brisbane also has Stradbroke island however, which has arguably the best beaches and surfing beaches in australia. It is probably the nicest place I have ever been
Go to Brisbane unless you are a yuppy and enjoy more mild weather.

Whoever talks about Melbourne weather being 'bad' has got to qualify his statement: 'bad' compared to Sydney or Brisbane, but heaven compared to Canada!!

Hi VanGal,

I'm from Perth on the Westcoast but have lived in Bris Vegas and been to Melb a number of times..

I would go for Brisbane if I were you as it near some world class beaches and has a perfect climate. I was recently sitting at a mates place in shorts and a t-shirt enjoying the sun on winters day at 23c! Forget about heavy jackets and rugging up against the cold if you decide for Brisbane. Melbourne offers four seasons in one day. Seriously!

I would say you have to visit both and make your mind up. You can now get a plane ride for around $200 return so there is no excuse.

If you really want to see some amazing wildlife and scenery go to the North West.. now that is AMAZING place! I feel sorry for people who I meet and say they have been to Australia only to have seen Sydney and/or Melbourne.. there is so much more to see..

ohhhh the beaches... you gotta see 'em and that will likely help m ake your decision for you!

Good luck

Hi, I've lived in Brisbane for about 35 years and lately in Melbourne for about 6 years.  Brisbane is a lot warmer and is smaller than Melbourne.  Jobs would be easier to come by in Melbourne but the cost of living is a little higher.

I hope that helps.

nice post

G'day ..... Sydney Sider - Currently living in Vancouver for the last 3 years for business.

If i were to pick between melb and brisbane....it would be melbourne in terms of opportunity (such as jobs and living) but brisbane for lifestyle. Brisbane is a lot more laid back than melbourne (although melbourne is still quite laid back). However, brisbance lacks in atmosphere. You will need to travel to the Gold Coast (1 hour and a half south from brisbane) for atmosphere - like clubbing and nightlife, casino's and so on. The Gold Coast is a place not to be missed especially if your a young fella.

However, if you haven't ruled out Sydney. I would consider it a serious option!

Think of it like this:

Melbourne is Australia's National City - in terms of national identity Melbourne tends to hold Australia's values up quite well.

Sydney is Australia's International City - in terms of opportunity and influence on the rest of the world, Sydney is Australia's beacon to the outside world.

Sydney has the economics and the opportunity behind it that other cities in Australia probably lack. It is a lot more in your face and shows off it splendor. It has everything in the one place .... atmosphere, beautiful geography, gorgeous beaches, culture, opportunity in terms of employment (the liklehood of you being unemployed in Sydney is very slim), and it is proabably the city in Australia with the most international influence. Its vibrancy smacks you in the head as soon as you walk into the terminal at the Sydney International Airport. It is quite a place and must be experienced. If you have the priveledge of living in Sydney (as it is quite an expensive city to live in, average house price at the moment is roughly $A550,000 which will buy you something out in the sticks) especially in some of its more chic suburbs like the Northern Beaches or the Easterns Suburbs or some of the inner city cuburbs, you won't regret it one bit.

If you are a carer of a small family - Melbourne would be your better choice, as it is similar to Sydney in its economic standing, but is considered a safer and more of a family orientated city and much more affordable.

Im a Local Brisbane quy and all i can is the stats dont lie its Australia's fastest growing capital we get crap loads of people from Sydney and Melbourne a week calling Brisbane home it goes to show stats never lie.

Summer in Brisbane gets way too hot .. up to 42 deg I heard. Otherwise the other seasons are perfect. Sunny during day time and cool at night. I would like to find out about Melbourne next yr. I don't like winter when it gets too cold either. How cold does it get during winter in mlb? anyone?

Brisbane is hot in Winter as well...
at least in the mornings where the sun shines you can feel the intensity of the heat!

This discussions been going all year. Does anyone even check up on it anymore? lol. I was born in Sydney and grew up in melbourne and have gone to Brissy alot for holidays in the past. By the way, it does get really cold in winter in Melb; usually down to bout 6 degrees but has hit 0 before. I found this site coz I'm thinking of moving to brissy next year. Its interesting to see diff people's points of view. In my opinion they're all correct, and thats why it can get a little confusing sometimes. Basically though, there's the good and the bad like any other city and it all depends on where abouts in Melb you choose to go. And it really is true: Melbourne does go through  4 seasons in a day, its more noticeable when you're in the city though, and can drive you mad, lol. One things for sure though, compared to Sydney our hospitality staff are way nicer, so down here you can feel at ease whilst shopping or eating out! I think for people living outside of Brissy, its the perfect place to go for a summer holiday....well... I say Brissy but i really mean the Goldcoast, which is really where the heart of QLD is. Anyway seeing as no-one will prob. need this info I'm off! B'bye!

thanks, the info is very helpful...
lots of people would need it.:)

Hi

 I stay in auckland and I tell you its the pitts. People say the kiwis are friendly thats a lie. Only when you get to know them then they friendly, the aussies are much more friendly. Housing is very expensive and the traffic is pathetic. In general the kiwis have small island syndrome. I'm moving to Perth is there anybody who can tell me abit about Perth.

Cheers

Melbourne is better by far, people are much friendlier down there, and its a more confortable climate.

and wow the chicks in melbourne are fantastic they're hot and not as full of them selves as sydney siders

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