Where to Live in Australia?

Question

Hey, I am 18 and do not want Univrsity but life experiences and therefore am going to apply for a working visa to work and holiday in Australia for 1 year ------------------- It will be an intimidating experience and therefore I want to know where best to start in Australia ---------------------- I have little money so where are jobs easiest to find (particuarly in luxury Hotel such as Hilton) so although I want to live in Sydney I think perhaps it would be more logical to start in a cheaper part of Australia so where would be best and how should I work around???? Should I Start in Brisbane, Melbourne any advice for a scared 18 year old that wants to see some of the world would be great

Answer 1

Working holiday in Australia at age 18! How exciting. Rest assured, you're not the only one. I went to boarding school and every year there are always "gappies" from UK and South Africa taking a working holiday there.

If your dream place to go is Sydney then you should start in Sydney. Otherwise you might find yourself getting into certain commitments in the other city that would make it hard for you to transfer to Sydney and you end up missing out on what you dreamt of in the first place. Don't expect failure; expecting failure is the same as setting yourself up for it. Do expect turmoil and troubles--it is a perfectly normal part of the package for any expatriate--but far more importantly than that, have a reliable source to draw strength from whenever you need to soar over the storm. Join a church and attend the youth group (even if you're not religious, just building a relationship with the people there can provide tremendous support). Find an older person/couple who you could look up to as "second parents", cares about you, and possesses the kind of wisdom to see you through. Befriend peers who have an extraordinary faith in their dreams, appetite for learning, and loyalty to people.

What are you qualified for? Hotels always need new employees and it is an exciting place to work at for a gap year. Make a list of any world class hotel chain e.g. Hilton, Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Sofitel, Crowne Plaza... any name you could think of (try looking up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Hotel_chains for ideas). Then go to their official websites and see if they have a branch in Sydney. If they do, then jot down the addresses. Write a good CV and cover letter, include your latest picture and relevant diplomas, and send it to that address.

When do you plan to be in Australia? If you have a few months at hand, I recommend taking a short certified course in hospitality at a local university. It will add value to you, help you fight off some fears, make you better prepared, and you will find some like-minded friends to draw courage from.

Do you know anyone in Sydney already? If you do then it's best to start warming up contact with them so you can feel a bit comfortable asking them for assistance to look for an affordable but good place for you to stay in Sydney. If you don't know anyone there, go to the websites of UNSW, University of Sydney, or ACU and look up information for student housing. Although you're not a student--and some facilities will indeed be meant for students only--you might get clues as to where you can find affordable but good accomodation for a single young person. Don't just pick a place because it's cheap--pay attention to location. If you rent a beatup room in the middle of nowhere for, say, $300 per month and end up spending $200 per month on transport then you might as well get a $400 per month room in CBD and a bike to get you places. (I'm making up the numbers btw...it's been more than 5 yrs since I left Australia so I wouldn't know how much accomodation in Sydney costs).

When you live in Australia, make sure you SAVE. Why? Because Australia is a big country and if you say that you want to "see the world", you have a lot of travelling to do down here. Whenever you're lucky enough to get a week or two off work, you'll want to experience other big cities like Brisbane and Melbourne. Or go up to Darwin to explore their gorgeous national parks and swim in their beautiful, crystal-clear waterfalls. Or go to Alice Springs and Cairns to experience the Indigenous Australian heritage. Or go snorkeling at the Barrier Reef. Or paint the town red with the hot surfies at Gold Coast. In Australia it would be very easy to get affordable budget holidays--and you can find even more ways to save if you get to travel with a few friends--but it still takes money.

Enhance your stay by becoming part of the local culture. Join a sports team because every body in Australia plays sport. You don't have to be very good, you just need to have an open heart, a team spirit, and the zest to have a great time. Listen to Triple J and find out when your favourite band will hit Sydney--if you're lucky you might just win tickets to see a secret Triple J gig or Live At The Wireless. Keep your ears open for special events at the Opera House or Darling Harbour. Be sure to come to the annual Royal Show or experience Big Day Out... and tag a bunch of friends with you.

Sydney would be a great place to spend the year at. I wish you success in your job hunt and in making your move to Australia! If you come prepared, you will have the time of your life here and you have absolutely nothing to lose.

Answer 2

I would live anywhere in Australia except the Gold Coast. I loathe the place. I live in northern NSW, about three hours from Brisbane. It is perfect there. I'm currently living in Darwin for a few months and it's good up here too. Anywhere in Queensland is better than the Gold Coast. In NSW try the Central Coast north of Sydney or south of the city towards Nowra. If you want surfing nearby then your choices are around Sydney or Perth. Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart don't have surf, you have to go a long way to find it.

Answer 3

That's a very comprehensive reply from Aurora..... but I prefer Brisbane any time.