Our big move.

[WadeH]

Hi all, our little family (dogs and all) are contemplating a major location change sometime this year if all goes well and we have shortlisted it down to two locations. These are Townsville (Q/land), in particular an area called Nome, and Yass (NSW).

Could the IIS community members that live in/near these spots give their thoughts and opinions of these areas?

All comments appreciated. Can't wait for the move, so far T/ville is winning. :D

[Ric]

I've always liked Yass, It's a small rural town in the heart of Merino wool country. It's about 50km from Canberra and I always had the impression of a very relaxed town.

I suppose it depends on what type of lifestyle your after as well as Townsville is a city.

Climate wise Yass gets all 4 seasons and the winters can be quite cold as well.

[koputai]

Yass, especially out of town, has very low light pollution and clear skies.

However, you do get a fair bit of fog down that way.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Octane]

I don't know how anyone can get used to the incessant humidity of the tropics!

At least Yass is dry humidity. It will get hot during summer, but, it won't feel like you're swimming through the air.

Good luck!

H

[Omaroo]

I like Yass as well. I know a number of people who do or who have lived there and they universally like it. Being close to Canberra and Sydney are advantages, without being too close.

Townsville? I was offered a job there years ago and went to have a look. I stepped off the stairs of the plane and thought... nope - not for me. I nearly died from the humidity. That's me though.

I also like Yass because this sign has been up for years and is a permanent chuckle for me every time I go there. The town has GOT to be laid back, right? :)

:lol:

[telecasterguru]

Now that is funny.

[jjjnettie]

In the words of the irrepressible George Takei ..... "Oh my.."

[deejayvee]

I spent a few years growing up near Yass and I really like the countryside around there.

Yass is right on the Hume Highway near the Canberra turnoff, so it's a great location, as far as rural towns are concerned.

[traveller]

Must have missed that in my science class :lol:
But seriously, are you moving there for lifestyle or work?
I'd live in Yass for lifestyle, cant stand the tropical humidity (think wet season, fugal growth on your optics etc)

[WadeH]

Thanks every one for your thoughts so far. As always there are pros and cons for both cases.


Hi Bo, we will sort of be moving mostly for lifestyle, partly for work. I work now as a Medic/Emergency Response Officer in the resource industry. Right now I'm on swing in the central desert of WA. But I work all over the place.
One thing over here is you get used to high temps (40 C + in summer is commonplace at our home) and humidity is fine as long as I'm not working in it all the time :). Margaret lived in Darwin so she's fine.

Please keep the comments comming as we appreciate the all. :thumbsup:

[Baddad]

Hi Wade,:)
I lived in Townsville for 5 years (Army)
I spent 6 months in the barracks and 2an 1/2 years at Wulguru, 18mths at Hermit Park. finally 6 mths at Aitkenvale.

Life is laid back. If you like fishing its great. Prawns off the local beaches.
Mudcrabs in the creeks. Oysters on the islands.:)

Summer humidity is something you get used to. Fantastic views from Castle Hill. Townsville has been recognised as a city for some time now. It had 60 odd pubs at one stage. I think that was in the 50's or 60's.

People were friendly and reasonably trustworthy when I was there.
I noticed change from a $50 note left on the bar. I pointed it out to a bar staff member. She said, "Oh silly ol' George has left it again. He's gone home. Thanks, I'll look after it."
I was there again the next day. (drinking soda water) George came in and he was re-united with his money.

The area is an interesting place. The reef is not far. The "Curtain Fig" in one of the National Parks. Outside Cairns is the "Boulders"
Near Nome, Alligator Creek used to be a beatiful park that you could have a BBQ. Cool running water in the nearby creek.

A short drive North of the city is Crystal Creek. Small waterfall and swimming hole. The water is cool and so clear.

Magnetic Island is a few klms out from the city. A ferry service operates to it. It attracts a lot of people. The pub there has beatiful cool beer gardens.

Yass, I have driven through it several times. Did not see much. I blinked.
Can not comment on it. I don't know much about it.

However Nome is like a satellite suburb of Townsville. A country town with a city nearby. That does have its advantages. Winter is mild in Townsville. Nice clear skies are common from March to October.
Lots of bities though. Never forget the personal insect spray at night.

I really liked Townsville because it suited my lifestyle and interests.
If you relate to the same, give it due consideration.

Hope that helps
Cheers:)

[SkysoBright]

i'm not a huge fan of Townsville. though i haven't lived there, i have been there on a number of occassions as i live down the road at Airlie Beach. If you plan to move there for astronomy reasons, you'll probably find that you won't get much of an opportunity to view the skys as generally from october - march each year, if it's not raining, the humidity is so bad you can't view anything with any clarity.

as baddad said above, there is good fishing to be had out at the reef and close to the city. it is a city, so you do have things to do. movies, shopping centres, a number of golf courses.

it does appear like a laid back city, but not without it's problems. like all city's there are areas to avoid. i for one would not walk around the streets at night.

the heat is unbearable. the sun has a lot of bite to it, a lot worse than airlie beach or anywhere south of here.

i can't comment on Yass. but i hope my experiences have helped with your decision. this is only my opinon, it's not up for debate.

best of luck with your choice what ever it may be. and if you do end up moving to t'ville, send me a message and maybe we can catch up for a session.

jase

[Liz]

Townsville is great!! As an ex Victorian, I love it up here, with no plans of heading back.

Marty has given a good rap, and all pretty true. :thumbsup:

Weather is beautiful, Summer is a bit yuk for a few months, bit the rest of the year is absolute magic!! I repeat, absolute magic!! Average winter day is sunny blue skies and temps of 24, with nights cooling down to 16 ish.

I love the beauty up here, the sea, and great beaches and Islands, and gardens. Lifestyle is very laid back, tho busier than it used to be, as the population grows. A bit of peak hour traffic at times now. :help:

Havnet been to Nome, or heard much about it, so no comment there.

We have a small but great little Astronomy Group up here, and though we stop for 4 months or so over the Summer, Winter is usally great.
www.astronomy.abigbluesky.com (http://www.astronomy.abigbluesky.com)

Come and join us up here!!! :D

[Liz]

Oh dear Jase, we are not that bad.

Some areas of the town you wouldnt walk at night, but that goes with many towns.

Forgot to mention The Strand in Townville - a magnificent 5 km strip on the beach with wide paths, restaurants,BBQ areas - has won lots of awards. We take our telescopes down there every 2nd month for the public. It is a hive of activity with huge numbers of people walking, running etc, and just generally enjoying themselves in a beautiful setting. :thumbsup:

Castle Hill is also bful, right in the middle of town, with views over Maggie Island. :)

[ballaratdragons]

I have visited both a few times but that was many years ago.

All that sticks in my head was the cyclone! and the terrible humidity in Townsville.

Out of the two I preferred Yass. It was more relaxed, and less rushed.

Also, Yass does not get Cyclones ;)
and will never get a Tsunami :P

[Liz]

aaah, Yass sounds .... boring. :D

[stephenb]

Come to Melbour... oh wait... scratch that....

[koputai]

Don't forget, Yass has Australians, Townsville has Queenslanders!

Cheers,
Jason.

[Jeffkop]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: :lol: (But QLD'rS love good humour)

[WadeH]

I too was once a Victorian, many years back. Down near Port Campbel at a tiny place called Simpson.



This is what we are thinking also.



You dont want to try Perth right now! Going to the pits in many ways. Thankfully we are in the hills were normal folk live :question:



We can put up with both of these I think :thumbsup:



:question::question::question:

Thanks all. We are looking forward to our visits at both which will be very shortly. They both sound wonderful.

[Baddad]

Re: Townsville laid back. To illustrate this, the soldiers at Lavarak Barracks say Townsville Tux (tuxedo) for the type of clothes to a function. T shirt and shorts.

[Dragon Rose]

Ive been reading the replies to Wade's question. I'm his better (?) half. My choice is definitely sun, a beach nearby and a cafe strip to keep me occupied while Wade is away. Humidity? After Darwin, no probs. Heat? After 47degC days here..well. Mozzies? Darwin Mozzies were like helicopters. I'm definitely a tropics fan and really looking fwd to the Townsville trip. So grateful for your helpful comments.

[stephenb]

I think Wade's decision was made
Before he asked :lol:

Seriously, good luck with the change and the eventual move. Exciting times ahead!

Stephen

[WadeH]

No comment :whistle:

But thanks all who gave their thoughts. It has been greatly appreciated.

[Ric]

Have a safe trip Wade

Moving can be stressfull at the best of times.

[WadeH]

Well folks, the counting is done and the votes are in.

Just spent last week checking out T/ville in person (s) and came home having had an acceptance on a house offer in Currajong (an old Queenslander) :)

Now all we need to do is sell our property here in Bully and we will become Banana Benders :question:

I must say that anyone that does the regular jogging up Castle Hill are nuts!! But it is an amazing view. :lol:

We also checked out Cairns on the way home, but while a very nice city, it is way to touristy for our likings.

Thanks again for everyones comments. :hi:

[Jeffkop]

Currajong is a nice suburb ... not too far from the city.
An old queenslander in Townsville has real character ... n plenty of storage under the house too !!!!! ... Noice choice ... hope it is all everything you wish it to be.