Where to Live in Australia

With affordable property and a wealth of gorgeous beaches, Perth is an attractive destination for new expats.

While the city may be too quiet and isolated for some, it’s a great choice for those looking for a laidback lifestyle and a sunny, Mediterranean climate.

I spent five months living in Perth when I immigrated to Australia and thoroughly enjoyed it! Click the button to read more about life in Perth or check out my migration stories below.

Sydney is Australia’s largest city and main financial hub. With over 100 beaches, multiple national parks and a beautiful natural harbour, Sydney combines the hustle of a major city with the scenery and laidback lifestyle of a beautiful beachside suburb.

Personally, Sydney is my dream city and I’ve lived here since 2016. In terms of property prices compared to median wages though, Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia and one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Check out my overview of living in Sydney to find out more, or read through my other Sydney guides below.

Living in Sydney Video

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia and the next expensive for property after Sydney. While it reaches hot temperatures in the summertime, the city generally has cooler weather than the other capitals.

Melbourne has a choice of beaches and natural attractions and lies close to the famous Great Ocean Road. However, the city is best known for its cool, cosmopolitan edge and funky arts scene.

Click the button below to read my overview of Melbourne.

Situated up in sunny Queensland, Brisbane has a much milder climate than Australia’s more southern cities, albeit very humid in summer.

While the city doesn’t have the beaches of Sydney or Melbourne, it does have a fantastic, friendly vibe, affordable property, a growing cafe scene and easy access to lots of stunning holiday locations.

I spent a year in Brisbane as an exchange student and absolutely loved it. I think it’s a great choice for families too. Click the button below to learn more about life in Brisbane.

One of the more underrated cities in Australia, Adelaide is a lot more cosmopolitan than it used to be, and I enjoyed spending Christmas and New Year there back in 2015.

With a great choice of beaches, a large CBD and a pretty riverside area in Elder Park, there’s plenty to do in the capital of South Australia.

While Adelaide gets very hot in summer, it’s less humid than Sydney and Brisbane. Property is also cheaper on average than in the cities mentioned above. Click the button to learn more about living in Adelaide.

While Canberra, the capital of Australia, is best known for its parliament buildings and museums, there is far more to the city than war memorials and tourist attractions.

While it’s situated inland, Canberra is only two hours from the beach and two hours from Australia’s ski resorts (yes, Australia has snow)! It also enjoys more distinct seasons than most of the coastal cities, with winter temperatures dropping below zero at night.

Canberra is also known as Australia’s most-educated city and has one of the country’s top universities. Click the button below to learn more about life in Canberra.

Hobart, that capital of Tasmania, is certainly one of the more picturesque Australian cities, with its sprawling harbour and mountainous backdrop.

If you prefer a cooler climate and want access to a choice of rural scenery, life in Tasmania could be an option for you.

I spent three weeks travelling this beautiful island, and loved the pristine lakes, winding mountain roads and gorgeous powdery beaches. Click the button below to read more about life in Hobart.