Australia Working Holiday Visa -- where should I live? (job market, schools)

[krarnold]

So, I'm a recent college grad looking for a fun place to live with the working holiday visa. I'm looking for:

-somewhat affordable (I don't plan on having a super high paying job)
-near the ocean and aquatic recreation -- scuba, surfing, kayaking -- super important!!
-near some sort of gay scene
-not a dead job market
-not a podunk town in the middle of nowhere -- I like vibrant city life
-decent public transportation
-outdoor recreation
-beaches!
-warm ocean
-mild winters

Any suggestions? Gracias!!

[Derek40]

Originally Posted by krarnold

So, I'm a recent college grad looking for a fun place to live with the working holiday visa. I'm looking for:

-somewhat affordable (I don't plan on having a super high paying job)
-near the ocean and aquatic recreation -- scuba, surfing, kayaking -- super important!!
-near some sort of gay scene
-not a dead job market
-not a podunk town in the middle of nowhere -- I like vibrant city life
-decent public transportation
-outdoor recreation
-beaches!
-warm ocean
-mild winters

Any suggestions? Gracias!!

Probably somewhere in South East Queensland would fit most of these criteria.
The Gold Coast -Brisbane area is almost one large contiguous city now, with plenty of opportunities (heaps of working class Kiwis living there now are a testament) and not as dear as Sydney, Melbourne or Perth.

[other99]

Sydney as the winters are not too cold. That is what I get from the European backpackers I do meet and some I surprise wear shorts and shirts on the days I think Sydney is cold and some state its not too cold for them. Not sure if it the same standards as Americans. I have met many people on working holidays in Sydney and most of them love Sydney. Some admit they love it in Sydney so much that they don't want to live anywhere else but Sydney. Most of them tend to stay in backpacker accomodation or shared accommodation. Another reason why they are in Sydney is due to work. Yet of course they complain on how expensive Sydney is yet some backpackers have managed to get great paid jobs.

Also if you are gay, Sydney and Melbourne are the biggest gay areas with gay bars and clubs, etc. . From what I know Gold Coast only has one gay bar and from what I heard from a gay friend it is not that good and quite dead. Brisbane from what I hear the gay scene is more active but not as vibrant as the bigger cities down south.

With Queensland there are job opportunities but the best job opportunities esp for people on working holiday visas is Brisbane. Gold Coast is a bit harder except if you want to work in hospitality. Brisbane is great but I found it a bit boring in nightlife compared to Sydney and Melbourne. Yet each to their own.

[Adelaidean]

Originally Posted by krarnold

-somewhat affordable (I don't plan on having a super high paying job)
-near the ocean and aquatic recreation -- scuba, surfing, kayaking -- super important!!
-near some sort of gay scene
-not a dead job market
-not a podunk town in the middle of nowhere -- I like vibrant city life
-decent public transportation
-outdoor recreation
-beaches!
-warm ocean
-mild winters

You're pretty much limited to the capital cities, I'd say. Your weather/environment probably indicates Brisbane or (maybe) Sydney. Personally I'd say Melbourne because it's a better destination (all around) for recent grads - vibrant nightlife, etc. Also the Great Ocean Road coastline is breathtaking, for short trips. But Queensland will be the more stereotypical 'Australian' experience, if that's what you're after. Perth and Adelaide are more laid back, but still big by U.S. city standards (2 and 1.5 mil, respectively).

- Public transport: Melbourne - amazing inner-city tram (trolley/streetcar) system (like S.F.'s except nicer)
- Affordability: I'd say Adelaide, but Sydney is the clear loser here: Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth are all cheaper.
- The ocean's warm everywhere in summer, but winters are milder the further north you go: hence Brisbane, Sydney or Perth.
- Job market isn't especially bad anywhere
- No real knowledge, but I'd guess the LGBT scene would be alright in any capital city, simply b/c of population size.

[susankate]

Originally Posted by krarnold

So, I'm a recent college grad looking for a fun place to live with the working holiday visa. I'm looking for:

-somewhat affordable (I don't plan on having a super high paying job)
-near the ocean and aquatic recreation -- scuba, surfing, kayaking -- super important!!
-near some sort of gay scene
-not a dead job market
-not a podunk town in the middle of nowhere -- I like vibrant city life
-decent public transportation
-outdoor recreation
-beaches!
-warm ocean
-mild winters

Any suggestions? Gracias!!

What type of work?

If you are on a working holiday visa, why not tour around first and then decide. That is what every other person on a working holiday I know has done.

Though I love Brisbane, I do think it is very expensive now and Gold Coast is cheaper. Sydney is very expensive, though perhaps Newcastle or Wollongong might be worth thought - they are smaller cities but fairly close to Sydney.

Again, it all depends on the type of work you want to do.

[amdongdong]

hi,im from Malaysia.there's a few question pop out in my mind lately.
im curious about the universities in australia, and im searching for banking and finance courses which are related with my diploma course right now.did anyone knows which is the best place/uni to further my degree studies?

[minibrings]

Being able to do research is a valuable skill in Uni. Info on best business courses in Oz is easily found by doing a google. You may want to to try googling business week asia top business schools

[Wild Colonial Girl]

What about Perth/margaret river?

[the troubadour]

Perth is very expensive. Margaret River is very small perhaps something in tourism there? Fruit picking is easy to get in the regions but can be hard graft.
Also depends on whether you can get the WHV or are coming on spec in the hope of working in the black....

[howard stansfield]

If I were you I would go to the sunshine coast Queensland Australia, Mooloolaba has everything you are wanting and you can study at the uni in sippy downs. We moved and I run my wedsite from there [url=http://www.rapidtoolsdirect.co.uk/]Rapid Tools Direct - Online supplier of Tools and DIY Equipment[/url] its a great place, take a look!!