Best town to move to in New Zealand and Australia (safe area, school)

[TropicalAussie]

Originally Posted by ssm4ssm4

My wife and I have the opportunity to work either in Australia or New Zealand for a period of time (1-2 years). We need advice about where to move to. Here's what we are looking for.

1. Beautiful beach with beautiful weather; 70s-80s F, low humidity all year
2. Medium sized town, preferably a university town
3. Cultural stuff to do (theatre, movies, concerts, etc)
4. Great restaurants
5. Town needs to be a walkable town
6. Outdoorsy stuff to do with beautiful scenery (We're into hiking, biking, etc)
7. Mountains with skiing if possible, but not critical

In short, I'm looking for paradise on earth for 1-2 years. Would appreciate all advice given.

Hobart meets all the criteria except for #1- well 70's maybe but little 80's. Has mountains, skiing doubtful.

Townsville, Queensland meets 1-6, a bit sparse in #3 but they do have some cultural events. Brisbane is only a flight away.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by HomesickAussie

Hobart meets all the criteria except for #1- well 70's maybe but little 80's. Has mountains, skiing doubtful.

Townsville, Queensland meets 1-6, a bit sparse in #3 but they do have some cultural events. Brisbane is only a flight away.

Townsville probably doesn't fit in with the low humidity. One place that the OP may want to look at which while not a university town does have a quite a good medical community is the Hunter region. Newcastle university is nearby and does have a medical course. It is a drive away (think the Portland to Boston drive) from Sydney. There are lovely beaches with non-beach weather starting in late May and going through to late August.

[ssm4ssm4]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm starting to narrow down my choice to the QLD coast and a small or medium sized city. Other potential choices would be greatly appreciated.

[ssm4ssm4]

I've heard Byron Bay is a great place. Is this also a nice town to settle down in for a couple years? Or is it strictly a tourist town?

[minibrings]

If someone asked you what city in the US met your criteria, perhaps it would help people make suggestions.

[Derek40]

Byron Bay has good beaches, and is close to rainforests, bushwalking etc.
It is over-rated as a place to live, but that is just my opinion, and has a substantial "feral" element, as does nearby Lismore.
Southern Cross university has campuses in Lismore and the Gold Coast, as well as in Coffs Harbour.
Gold Coast also has Bond University
I have had plenty of holidays, week-ends etc on the Gold Coast, and despite it's tourist reputation, it is full of life and activity, and is cultured.
This is a sub-tropical region, and ski fields are a 2 day drive away.
Sub-tropical climates do take a while to get used to, despite the way they blow their own trumpets about "perfect climate".
I have already mentioned Wollongong, but Newcastle is also a very beautiful city, close to Port Stephens and the Barrington Tops etc, as well as Hunter Valley wineries.
It is large enough (over 1/2 million people) to be self-sustaining.
The university is much larger than say Southern Cross, and has many international students, and a Faculty of Medicine.
The climate is more temperate.
Of course I am biased because this is my region and where I live.
Whatever floats your boat as they say.

[ssm4ssm4]

Originally Posted by minibrings

If someone asked you what city in the US met your criteria, perhaps it would help people make suggestions.

monterey or santa cruz, ca

[minibrings]

Hobart, TAS
might fit your bill then!
or a small town/city west of melbourne - warmambool

[ssm4ssm4]

Originally Posted by Derek40

Byron Bay has good beaches, and is close to rainforests, bushwalking etc.
It is over-rated as a place to live, but that is just my opinion, and has a substantial "feral" element, as does nearby Lismore.
Southern Cross university has campuses in Lismore and the Gold Coast, as well as in Coffs Harbour.
Gold Coast also has Bond University
I have had plenty of holidays, week-ends etc on the Gold Coast, and despite it's tourist reputation, it is full of life and activity, and is cultured.
This is a sub-tropical region, and ski fields are a 2 day drive away.
Sub-tropical climates do take a while to get used to, despite the way they blow their own trumpets about "perfect climate".
I have already mentioned Wollongong, but Newcastle is also a very beautiful city, close to Port Stephens and the Barrington Tops etc, as well as Hunter Valley wineries.
It is large enough (over 1/2 million people) to be self-sustaining.
The university is much larger than say Southern Cross, and has many international students, and a Faculty of Medicine.
The climate is more temperate.
Of course I am biased because this is my region and where I live.
Whatever floats your boat as they say.

Thanks Derek. I don't mind humidity, especially near the beach. Couple questions:

What is it about Byron Bay that is overrated?
What about the sunshine coast (Caloundra, etc)
What would be your favorite towns on the gold coast to live in?

Gold Coast seems nice but I'm concerned that they are purely beach towns. Any towns there with real soul to them?

[Derek40]

The Gold Coast is a continuum of towns merged into one large city.
I prefer the northern end - ie Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach - always activity there, and does have a soul.
Close to theme parks and other tourist attractions, and closer to Brisbane. Good restaurants etc.
The southern end is quieter, eg Coolangatta, and many people prefer this.
As far as Byron goes, I just simply don't like the Northern Rivers, including other towns such as Lismore, Grafton and Ballina.
High unemployment, lower class, uncultured area interspersed with a splashing of upper class living on ocean frontages.
Have only been to the Sunshine Coast once, so can't comment on that area. Seems fairly laid back in comparison to the Gold Coast.