Sydney and Melbourne are Australia’s most populated and well known cities, and they certainly have a lot to offer. But there’s plenty more to this vast and varied country, and if you’re planning on moving to Australia, you might want to consider these four very special cities.
4 of the Best Places to Live for Expats in Australia
Perth
Perth is a great choice if you want to get away from it all while still enjoying the benefits of a big city.
Perth offers a strong sense of community for Indians, as it has the highest proportion of people of born in India within the city population of anywhere in Australia, as well as having the third largest Indian community overall. Its cultural melting pot is also home to many people from China, Nepal, the Philippines and many others from around the globe.
You’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy those amazing beaches as Perth is the sunniest city in the world. And being on the west coast, Perth is known for truly stunning sunsets, many say the very best in Australia.
Canberra
Canberra might just be the best place to move to in Australia if you’re bringing or planning to start a family. It’s a safe and welcoming city, smartly designed and easy to navigate, and it has one of the lowest crime rates in Australia.
If you have a family, good local education is probably high on your priority list, and Australia’s capital is also its most educated city.
The fact Canberra is one of the best places for families to live in Australia shouldn’t detract from its appeal for younger people and singletons. With its superb university, it’s a great choice for international students, who make up nearly 14% of the University of Canberra’s new undergraduates. And those of working age may appreciate the fact that the city has the highest average income and employment rate in the country.
With around 30% of the population having been born abroad, with people from India and the Philippines among the most strongly represented, Canberra is another great city if you’re looking for a close expat community.
Brisbane
If you love being by the water, enjoying lazy days on the riverside or sunning yourself on beautiful beaches, then set your sights on Brisbane! Better yet, like Perth, Brisbane is a great choice for those who love to soak up the sun, with a subtropical climate and almost 300 days of sunshine each year.
Of course, life can’t be all play and no work, so it’s good news that Brisbane also typically has a thriving local job market. It’s a major hub for a number of industries, including the mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) sector; research and innovation; and energy. It’s also known for a highly stable economy, predicted to grow to over $217 billion AUD by 2031 (from $146 billion in 2016).
Hobart
The Tasmanian capital may feel like something of a wild card option, but with a relatively tiny population, and over a quarter of it made up of immigrants, it offers a real sense community, particularly for expats. And if access to beautiful nature and wide open space is among your top reasons for wanting to move to Australia, Tasmania is hard to beat.
Over a third of Tasmanian land is protected environment, providing habitat for a multitude of rare wildlife and plants. With its superb national parks, sweeping unspoiled landscapes, and crystal-clear coastal waters, there is nowhere better to escape the rat race.
If you’re looking for the excitement of a big city, then Tasmania probably isn’t for you. But if you want your own slice of paradise, without compromising on culture and community, Hobart could be the place to bring your dreams to life.
Sending Money Transfers from Australia
Australia is a big, beautiful and brilliant place, with a lot to offer wherever you look. There’s no denying that Sydney and Melbourne are fantastic cities, but you could find that searching further afield means discovering the perfect home for you.
Wherever you choose to go, it’s good to know that sending funds back home will always be simple and straightforward when you transfer money with Western Union.
Even in relatively remote Hobart, you’ll have plenty of options – thanks in part to our partnership with Australia Post – with nearly 40 physical Western Union locations you can visit, as well as easy online transfers and our dedicated mobile app.
