Best Cities to Move to in Australia

If, like thousands of expats each year, you are planning a move to Australia, this should help you decide on the best location for you. Australia is known for having a high quality of life, with its long stretches of beaches, sunny cities, and laidback lifestyle. Australia has been listed 13^th in the world’s largest economies, with an unemployment rate of less than 5%. So, as well as the sunny weather, there will be an abundance of job opportunities for you to snap up, should you decide to move to Australia.

Best cities to live in Australia in 2024

1. Adelaide
2. Brisbane
3. Melbourne
4. Sydney
5. Perth

Adelaide

Best for: Food & Drink

Universities: Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia

Adelaide’s food and drink scene is one of the best in Australia. Head to Rundle Street, explore the international cuisine along Grote and Gouger Street, or discover Adelaide’s West End. Adelaide also has good job opportunities, recruiting a minimum of 5,000 skilled migrants a year, particularly in the fields of healthcare, manufacturing and education.

The public transport system of Adelaide is quite affordable and accessible because of an extensive network of buses, ferries and trams in and around the city. The region has over 20 golden stretched beaches within a short drive from the CBD. These suburbs are best known for their pristine sand, turquoise waters and sunny skies.

You’ll find a varied cultural scene to enjoy, with arts festivals, live music and great restaurants.

Brisbane

Best for: Nature / Escapes

Universities: The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University

Brisbane offers all the excitement of living in a thriving city, but is way more affordable than Sydney and Melbourne and their economy is booming, with workers in hospitality, health, manufacturing and tourism the most in demand. Brisbane’s diverse population means that there’s always something new to discover, whether it’s food, music, or cultural events. The city hosts a range of multicultural festivals throughout the year, including The Paniyiri Greek Festival and The Brisbane Chinese Festival.

Home to over 2,000 green parks and over 2,500 species of plants, makes Brisbane a biodiverse paradise. You can expect over 250 days a year of perfect sunshine down in the South East of Queensland. It may take some time to get used to initially (as it gets very hot), but if you're a shorts or summer dress person, then Brisbane has got you covered!

You also have beautiful beaches to escape to in Brisbane, like Suttons Beach, which is a 40-minute drive away from the city, and Nudgee beach, which will take 20 minutes via car or 1 hour by train. A real Brisbane beauty is Bongaree Beach, which is a 1-hour car journey or a 2-hour train journey from the city centre, but travelling this little bit further means pure white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Melbourne

Best for: Culture

Universities: University of Melbourne, Monash University and RMIT University

Melbourne is consistently recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities, it's easy to navigate, it's packed full of arts and culture, close to many great destinations and is home to some excellent cafes and restaurants. Around 140 cultures are represented in Melbourne, creating a diverse and welcoming environment for people from all over the globe.

This cultural richness is reflected in everything from the food scene to the festivals, giving the city a truly global feel and helping expats to feel at home in no time. The city’s unique charm stems from its diverse neighbourhoods, from Fitzroy’s artsy vibes to St Kilda’s, a beachside retreat.

Securing employment while living in Melbourne can be challenging but knowing where to start your hunt can make all the difference, a key strategy is to focus on Australia’s in-demand occupations. The Australian government regularly updates its skills shortage list, highlighting professions experiencing a shortfall in local talent.

Melbourne offers an exceptional quality of life for its residents, making it a magnet for expats worldwide. The city’s high standard of living is partly due to a 30-year infrastructure strategy that was established to enhance access to jobs, services, and public transport. But be prepared to experience the 'four seasons in a day' you might hear Melbournians often joke about, as its coastal location contributes to rapid shifts in climate.

Sydney

Best for: Job Opportunities

Universities: The University of Sydney, The University of New South Wales, and Macquarie University

Sydney is an iconic city famous for its stunning beaches and diverse culture. However, there is far more to this amazing city. Sydney hosts over 600 multinational companies, offering a wide array of opportunities across various sectors including finance, technology, and more.

As a major city, Sydney is very well-connected. So, if you choose to live, work or study in Sydney, you’ll have no trouble getting around. You’ll find buses, trains and ferries that take you through the city, to mountain getaways, the countryside and beyond. You can also cruise through the harbour to see the famous opera house or join the surfer dudes down at the beautiful Bondi Beach.

Real estate prices are on a par with New York, putting it up there with the most expensive cities in the world, suburbs in Sydney that are in high demand include Birchgrove, Killarney Heights, and Allambie Heights. Areas close to the city centre that are becoming more attractive for young professionals include Paddington, Balmain, Surry Hills and Newtown.

Sydney is reported to represent 7% of Australia’s economy and generate over 437,000 jobs, with key business districts in Sydney including Macquarie Park, Olympic Park, and North Sydney. 

Perth

Best for: Climate

Universities: The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, and Murdoch University

Perth is a small-city gem situated in Western Australia, offering a healthy mix of comfort and excitement, which is bathed in sunlight for an average of nine hours per day, for roughly 70% of the year, so say goodbye to those cloudy days!

Some of the beaches around Perth rank as the most beautiful in the country, including Cottesloe Beach, Scarborough Beach, and Trigg Beach. They're all well known for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. Their clear waters and the abundance of marine life make Perth a perfect destination for snorkelling and scuba diving too.

Perth offers a variety of sporting activities for those who love an outdoor and active lifestyle. The beautiful surroundings of the Swan River will keep every water sport enthusiast busy with activities like kayaking, sailing, and fishing.

Perth is home to a thriving job market and some of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia, and is home to a number of Australia’s largest corporations and has a thriving corporate sector.  Fortescue Metals Group, the 4^th largest iron ore producer in the world has its headquarters in Perth.

Our Pick of the Rest

More of the best cities in Australia to move to include Canberra, Darwin, Hobart and Gold Coast, each of which has its own distinctive qualities. Canberra doesn’t have the perk of beach-side living, as the closest beach is a couple of hours’ drive away, but as a small city there is a comforting community feel and there are many top-rated suburbs for families and professionals surrounding the city.

Darwin is distinctive for its natural beauty, as it is in the heart of Australia’s Northern Territory, with its desert-like landscapes, national parks like Kakadu and Litchfield, and of course its tropical climate. The city of Darwin is also modern and culturally diverse, and welcomes many internationals every year. The Charles Darwin University in the city has been found to be the most diverse in Australia.  

Most people think of Melbourne or Sydney when moving to Australia, but these other cities are definitely under-rated!

When you have picked your destination and you're getting ready to move, make sure you send your luggage abroad with Send My Bag. You don't have to wait on sea freight, we can have it waiting for you in Australia in 3-4 days, with a  door-to-door luggage shipping service. We will remove the hassle of finding a removals company, collecting straight from your old home, to your new home away from home.