Where Would You Live if Property Prices Were Roughly The Same Everywhere?

ForkSnorter on 26/03/2025 - 09:15
Last edited 26/03/2025 - 09:17

I'm curious whether most people already live where they want to live, or if affordability is a big factor in their decision. If cost was not an issue, for example if all the major cities, towns and rural areas had roughly equivalent prices, where would you prefer to live?

Personally, I like quiet, warm areas near a river or beach, but I also like diverse populations, history and culture, so my first choice would be a quiet suburb in Sydney, not too far from the harbour or beach, my next choice would probably be a quiet outer suburb of Brisbane, close to the water, and my third choice would be a quiet, coastal or mountain town or semi-rural area somewhere in NSW, QLD or VIC.

Poll Options

40
Sydney
22
Melbourne
10
Brisbane
7
Adelaide
3
Canberra
2
Perth
2
Darwin
2
Hobart
7
Gold Coast
9
Sunshine Coast
2
Central Coast
0
Newcastle
0
Wollongong
1
Geelong
3
Other medium-sized city/large town (e.g. Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns, Ballarat, Bendigo)
22
Rural, including small towns (coast)
5
Rural, including small towns (mountains)
0
Rural, including small towns (outback)
1
Rural, farming

Home & Garden

Comments

Duckie2hh on 26/03/2025 - 09:17

+1

Somewhere warm.

affordability is a big factor

This as well as job availability. No use moving to Darwin when you get paid 25% of what you earn in Sydney.
CodeXD on 26/03/2025 - 09:24

+7

Where would you live if property prices were roughly the same everywhere?

And the options are ONLY Australia? lol
FoxJump on 26/03/2025 - 09:26

+6

the real answer for you is ALREADY there.
the actual prices of the houses already reflect the popularity.

you should:
- tally up all the average prices per suburb
- sort descending.

And there's your answer on where most people would like to live
- ForkSnorter on 26/03/2025 - 09:27
  
  -1
  
  Not necessarily. A lot of people might choose an area for job availability.
  - FoxJump on 26/03/2025 - 09:29
    
    +4
    
    yes. and that is already factored in the "where would they like to live"
    
    because if prices are all 'the same' then they'll still pick a place based on job proximityt oo
- brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 10:06
  
  Incorrect, no matter the price I would not go near Sydney or Melbourne.
  - CaptainJack on 26/03/2025 - 10:11
    
    +3
    
    You'll notice that property prices are not zero outside of Sydney or Melbourne.
    - brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 10:14
      
      You'd think they were considering how much Sydney/melbourintes harp on about it.
  - neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 10:14
    
    Is it because you don't like crowds? I like more cultural and sports events, festivals and other events, a lot of parks, and beaches.
    
    I don't like quite small town …
    - brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 10:19
      
      I don't like the city. Driving in them sucks. Public transport is disgusting. I can get great coffee and food in a million places.
      
      The "culture" of homeless people everywhere, crackheads all over, and every person pretending that everyone else doesn't exist doesn't really appeal to me. I go walking here, no one says hello to each other. I go walking in my home town, everyone says hello, how's it going etc
      
      You can go places without waiting in line for 5 hours. Better bush walking, riding, beaches, motorbike riding, 4wding. None of it requires trying to find a carpark for 2 hours.
      
      Rural is generally much higher trust than city, which is a much nicer feeling.
      - neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 10:24
        
        @brendanm: That's your perspective from owning a car …
        
        I don't have a car, only go anywhere with public transport.
        
        I go walking here, no one says hello to each other.
        
        Some people told me that Melburnians are more friendly than Sydneysiders … Maybe depends on locations.
        
        brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 10:39
        
        -1
        
        @neoleo: I already addressed public transport.
        
        It's the same Sydney, Melbourne, brisbane, anywhere. City people are not friendly.
      - Crow K on 26/03/2025 - 10:42
        
        @brendanm: Do you actually believe "the city is full of crackheads and cold hearted people but rural areas are good country folk" or is this a bit?
        
        brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 11:21
        
        -1
        
        @Crow K: I've lived in both for quite some time. I also never stated the city is "full' of them. I also never stated anything about "good country folk", but as per usual, you will try just add in whatever you want, so no point breaking that trend I suppose.
        
        Crow K on 26/03/2025 - 12:09
        
        @brendanm:
        
        "Rural is generally much higher trust than city, which is a much nicer feeling"
        
        Then
        
        "I never said anything about good country folk"
        
        🤔
        
        brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 13:16
        
        @Crow K: I like how you ignored the first one.
        
        Higher trust does not mean that it is all "good country folk".
        
        At any rate, I've lived in both, both for long periods, everything I've stated is what happens. I'm sure you have no actual experience to the contrary.
        
        Crow K on 26/03/2025 - 13:28
        
        +1
        
        @brendanm: Oh I have plenty of experience to the contrary, I've lived in rural areas and also enjoyed all the trust there..
        
        … obviously not just trust in the sense of "human interaction" or "in human relationships", the way normal people use the word…
        
        Like you I've also enjoyed the higher trust there in terms of the land itself, the trees, the uh.. the overall trust of ruralness that we get that doesn't necessarily rely on the people there.
        
        And like you I also agree that the cities are terrible with all the homeless and crackheads. Even worse are the robbers, the guys who wear the black eye masks and the black and white striped shirts and tiptoe around with a giant sack that has a large $ on it.
        
        Anyway, thanks for sharing your lived experiences with us!
        
        brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 15:06
        
        @Crow K: So as usual you have no experience. Got it. Thanks for playing!
        
        Crow K on 26/03/2025 - 15:13
        
        -1
        
        @brendanm: My experience is as vivid and real as the city's "culture" of homeless and crackheads that you warned us about, you delightful little reliable narrator you.
        
        It's a pity the people in white coats with giant nets didn't pull up in a van to chase them around in fast motion while you were there, you might have had an overall better experience visiting the big smoke.
        
        brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 16:05
        
        +1
        
        @Crow K: Yet again, making up your own story of what people have said.
        
        I didn't visit, I live in the city. It's crap.
        
        Crow K on 26/03/2025 - 16:51
        
        @brendanm:
        
        mate your just making that up
        
        It's … a remarkable coincidence that your true, lived, actual experiences are scene for scene identical to the narrative framing of mid-tier children's fiction like Babe: Pig In The City (rated G, Some Scenes May Be Unsuitable For Very Young Children).
        
        Still, I suppose it's not entirely impossible reality turns out to be exactly the same as the broad strokes of events we use in fiction when entertaining people yet to fully develop critical thinking skills.
        
        brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 18:41
        
        -2
        
        @Crow K: You couldn't even directly quote me, and even used the incorrect "your". Congratulations, it's really quite an achievement.
        
        lew380 on 27/03/2025 - 09:19
        
        @Crow K: Please stop, I'm trying to understand what you saying but I think your in some city on crack!
        
        Crow K on 27/03/2025 - 10:15
        
        @lew380: I apologize but also ask that you please respect our city "culture", as carefully thought out and painstakingly documented above
        
        lew380 on 29/03/2025 - 12:06
        
        @Crow K: You don't seem to be objective, theres pros and cons to everything. Cities are low trust, high crime, unfriendly and full of crackheads. Just own it, you also have many pros. I like country regions, which are isolated, dilapidated, few if any services/shops etc, i dont have to get defensive about it and try to pedal nonsense.
jv on 26/03/2025 - 09:28

+1

Where would you live if property prices were roughly the same everywhere?

Monte Carlo or Pakenham.
- neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 09:56
  
  What's good about Pakenham? Never been there … From google maps, other suburbs have better parks, beach, botanic garden, etc.
  - jv on 26/03/2025 - 10:11
    
    It's the 'vibe'.
MS Paint on 26/03/2025 - 09:29

jv is going to skew the data and be that one guy who selects Canberra for shits and giggles.

Edit: seems we visited at the same time.
- ForkSnorter on 26/03/2025 - 09:31
  
  +2
  
  I like Canberra. Really beautiful scenery, amazing sunsets. Not too busy. A lot of bush. Nice hills, mountains and lakes. Very orderly city design with streets that make sense rather than the chaotic mess of unplanned cities. A bit cold for me though. And too far from the beach.
  - MS Paint on 26/03/2025 - 09:46
    
    No denying it's a great place to visit.
  - neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 09:46
    
    I prefer Melbourne over Canberra. Melbourne has more cultural and sports events, festivals and other events, a lot of parks, and beaches. Only 30 minutes by tram from CBD to St. Kilda beach for example. There are other beaches to the south (west & east) too.
    
    Canberra is colder than Melbourne. Looks boring and smaller than Melbourne.
    
    As for the weather and jobs, more people prefer Sydney over Melbourne and Canberra …
- Gunnar on 26/03/2025 - 09:35
  
  I’m more worried about the people who say Woolongong, Geeling or Newcastle
  - neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 09:49
    
    +1
    
    Geelong has nice beach and Botanic Garden. Very wide roads …
  - youfnc on 26/03/2025 - 10:13
    
    I absolutely agree! People shouldn't even think about considering Newcastle! Those awful, accessible beaches with their disgraceful free parking… and the pub and cafe scene? Best avoided at all costs.
Benoffie on 26/03/2025 - 09:32

Toss up between Adelaide and Canberra. Lifestyle in both is excellent. Comes down to jobs and liveability. And on that, Adelaide wins.
- neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 09:53
  
  Melbourne is better for the lifestyle and liveability. Sydney is better for the jobs. It's reflected in the poll (Sydney), but I think more Sydneysiders in the poll …
  - djsweet on 26/03/2025 - 10:04
    
    +1
    
    I have a feeling people who really like Adelaide and CBR lifestyle aren't going to think Melbourne is better for lifestyle. Its quite different. Job availability is a bit more objective, but is going to vary with industry.
    - neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 10:07
      
      Depends on what kind of lifestyle? A lot of cultural and sports events, festivals and other events, a lot of parks, and beaches. Many great restaurants, best awards for food and coffee too in Melbourne (I read the news).
      
      Melbourne has got the most liveable City in the world awards for several times …
    - CaptainJack on 26/03/2025 - 10:14
      
      What can you do in Adelaide that you can't do in/around Melbourne? The main thing that springs to mind is drive somewhere on a weekday without getting stuck in horrible traffic. That is a major drawcard for me, but wondering what else.
  - Benoffie on 26/03/2025 - 10:25
    
    +2
    
    Meh. Ive lived all over the country and I dont rate the east coast.
    
    Currently, from my window, I can see a Conservation Park, plenty of gums, birds etc. My local Italian cafe (actually run by local Italians) is 2 blocks away. The local patisserie (also Italian), 1 block.
    
    The bus to the city, 1 block. Granted, it's a round the world bus - OBahn would be nicer - takes 30 mins.
    
    No flight path, no traffic, no noise. I dont care about beaches, festivals, concerts or events. I hate football. I like art.
    
    On all that, Canberra and Adelaide are the 2 - but Canberra is pegged to APS and overinflated prices. A coffee and a cake will easily set you back $15-18. In Adelaide, still $10
    - neoleo on 26/03/2025 - 10:34
      
      My local Italian cafe (actually run by local Italians) is 2 blocks away. The local patisserie (also Italian), 1 block. The bus to the city, 1 block. Granted, it's a round the world bus - OBahn would be nicer - takes 30 mins. No flight path, no traffic, no noise.
      
      If you like Italian suburb and criteria above, there's Italian suburb in Melbourne and Sydney with that criteria …
      
      I like art.
      
      For art, maybe Melbourne is better
      
      A coffee and a cake will easily set you back $15-18. In Adelaide, still $10
      
      This depends on locations. Certain cafes still sell both for cheaper price than $15. For $10, go to cheaper cafes and buy certain cake between $5-$8 ($7-$8 is common) and coffee around $5.
      - Benoffie on 26/03/2025 - 11:39
        
        @neoleo: Look, people try and say 'oh this place has this the same etc'. Italy has Italians, I could move there.
        
        But what makes a community and what makes people enjoy a place is far more complex.
        
        As an aside, if I were to pick Canberra, Id be looking at places like Ainslie, Campbell, Deakin, Burton, Yarralumla, Red Hill. For much the same reasons - they have good local shops and communities, good public transport, close to conservation parks and frankly, I like the architecture.
        
        Oo heading for ☕️, ciao! 👋
Fredfloresjr on 26/03/2025 - 09:37

Surely Melbourne, Cops don't care and too many patrons -Heisenberg
djsweet on 26/03/2025 - 10:06

+1

Family is a big factor. Best to be where you have the support of family and friends, even if you could live in Mosman.
brendanm on 26/03/2025 - 10:07

South coast of WA. Northern rivers NSW.
Gunnar on 26/03/2025 - 10:08

Hmmmm Wilcannia or Vaucluse?
MsBin on 26/03/2025 - 11:07

Exactly where I am now- coastal NSW. None of the stress and traffic of a big city, decent pay, (more) bang for your buck with housing, a thriving food/ wine/ brewery scene and there's a real sense of community.
I could never go back to the rat race now.
ForkSnorter on 26/03/2025 - 11:26

+1

I hope the poll doesn't just reflect where Ozbargainers currently live, which is what it's starting to look like.
- moar bargains on 26/03/2025 - 17:24
  
  Well a lot of the people who have the personal, financial, job and relational security to be answering questions on Ozbargain in the middle of a work day are going to be pretty happy where they currently live, or else they wouldn't live there (because they likely have the means to do at least something about that). If you asked every homeless person you could find where they wanted to live if money wasn't an object I imagine you'd get a very different distribution.
  - ForkSnorter on 27/03/2025 - 07:46
    
    What I meant was, previous polls have shown the overwhelming majority of Ozbargainers live in Melbourne and Sydney, and that's what happening with this poll. I guess most people would prefer to keep staying in the city they already live in.
o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/03/2025 - 13:26

+1

Geelong.
McMaferMur on 26/03/2025 - 13:55

Vietnam.
Some Human on 26/03/2025 - 16:41

I would want to live in the same town I live in now. I only want my neighbours to move.
Nugs on 27/03/2025 - 00:04

I'd settle for 2 million acres with a 10km stretch of surfable beach and a fresh water spring fed river on a latitude similar to Adelaide.
No fooks given to proximity to shops etc
.
morse on 27/03/2025 - 03:16

If it was roughly the same cost to live anywhere many places wouldn’t be the same as there would be more people there. Maybe the better question is “if you could afford to live well anywhere, where would you live?”
- djsweet on 28/03/2025 - 09:33
  
  Yeah can you imagine how pleasant it would be to live in Vaucluse if half the population moved there. Suddenly Penrith would be feeling like a much more attractive option.
Lastchancetosee on 27/03/2025 - 07:35

By the seaside in Adelaide.

Where Would You Live if Property Prices Were Roughly The Same Everywhere?

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