Help Me Decide. Move to Cairns or not?

bion83 on 30/01/2016 - 10:34
Last edited 30/01/2016 - 11:09 by 1 other user

My company offered me position in Cairns with relocation in about May/June and I have 3 weeks to decide.

We(me and my gf) live in Sydney and enjoy it however Sydney has its own cons (traffic, housing affordability etc) and pros.

I would appreciate any insight from anyone who lives or have lived in Cairns.
What suburbs would you recommend?
How how is it with services such as schools (planning family:) and hospitals?
Anything we should know/be aware in Cairns?
General advice?

Thanks a lot to everyone

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  datafellows on 30/01/2016 - 10:44

  No any perks?

  They should offer more than your regular salary so you can move, like provide you free accommodation etc.

  What you need to know is that it is hot there, you'd run air con more than in Sydney :)

  • 

    bion83 on 30/01/2016 - 10:51

    We haven't really discussed the details, right now I'm contemplating if I want to even go there or not.

    Yes I know it's hot there, you have all sort of crazy animals living around with you etc but to me that's all stuff we deal with.

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  altomic on 30/01/2016 - 11:14

  +1

  go. cairns is pretty laid back. you have nature everywhere. it has an international airport. flying out of internationally from there at a low rate is great (though destinations are limited compared to cities).

  if you've never been to cairns then be aware that there is no actual beach at cairns. you have to go up or down the coast.

  also, it has a high tourist trade which means alot of tourists (duh) but also itinerant hospitality & service workers.

  go, your rent would be less. travel time and cost less. you can save more. why not?

  disclaimer : I don't live in cairns but was asked to move there to my departments regional office, and hence I looked in to it. I didn't move due to personal circumstances.

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  Baysew on 30/01/2016 - 11:26

  +1

  "If you're not living in Sydney, you're camping out".

  Paul Keating

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  oscargamer on 30/01/2016 - 11:50

  it's very humid and now quite a busy town

  go for a look

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  elvino on 30/01/2016 - 11:54

  If you havent been prior, perhaps you could ask your employer to stump up a trip there for recon purposes for you and g first?

  • 

    toristo on 30/01/2016 - 11:56

    I think this is a good answer. Go meet your new team - how would you fit in culturally? Do you think it would be a good fit? What would your partner do? Could you work from Cairns for a week as a trial perhaps?

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  kipps on 30/01/2016 - 12:35

  +2

  A few things:

  1. I think you will have a much better lifestyle in Cairns. Housing is much more affordable and cheaper cost of living.
  2. That said, you are pretty spoilt in Sydney for choice when it comes to shopping/restaurants and extended trading. That said, Cairns Central and Stocklands are pretty good for most things.
  3. Cairns is a lot more laid back, fantastic place, people are very friendly/etc.
  4. What are your career prospects in Cairns? Are you being promoted? Better pay? What are your options if you want to leave the company and stay in Cairns?
  5. Be prepared for extreme heat and humidity in Cairns.
  6. International airport is pretty good, but I always find that flights in and out of Cairns aren't particularly cheap.

  You should definitely go for a week and see if you like the place before moving. You will make up your mind relatively quickly as to whether or not the place is feasible for you.

  I would much rather raise a family in Cairns than Sydney.

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  Conka on 30/01/2016 - 17:33

  +1

  I'd recommend moving to Cairns, purely because the local team would is in with a shot at winning State of Origin.

  The thing with Cairns is that its a small town … compared to Sydney. Depending on your work, it may be difficult to find other employment, as tourism is basically it. That said, if you can work over the internet, you can basically work anywhere.

  If you don't have any kids to up root, why not give it a crack? I would. A change is as good as a holiday, and you'll have a chance to check out North QLD. It is pretty magnificent up there.

  Would the GF go with you? Regardless of which way, there are a bunch of relationship and work things there that require consideration. Chief among them is that you could well be removing yourselves from any sort of support network, and that can be isolating.

  There would be a reason why your boss wants you to go, so you might be able to negotiate a few things.

  I'd suggest that you discuss with your boss;
  - relocation allowance / car transport
  - salary change?
  - put a trial period on it. If you/Mrs don't like it for what ever reason after 6 months(?) negotiate the ability to return to Sydney.

  Above all, don't knock it back because it's a change. Live the for the experience, if all else makes sense.