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When I first decided to come to Australia for a Working Holiday (WHV), the question I struggled with the most was: which city should I go to?
Every place has a glamorous side and realistic factors that need to be considered. Today, I will talk about the criteria for choosing different cities based on my own experience and those of my friends around me, to help you take a less detour.
1. Sydney - Metropolis & High Consumption
Pros:
- The most job opportunities, especially in the catering, retail and service industries.
- There are a lot of cultural activities, so if you want to experience the international life in Australia, this is the best place to do it.
- Wages are generally high.
Cons:
- Expensive, rent can be 350-400 a week.
- Competition is fierce and newcomers often need more patience to walk in and find a job.
Suitable for: People who like the atmosphere of big cities, want to earn more money but don't mind high consumption.
2. Melbourne - Literary atmosphere & multiculturalism
Advantages:
- Cafes and restaurants are well developed and there are many job opportunities.
- There is a strong cultural atmosphere, with lots of art and music events.
- Convenient transportation and a slightly slower pace of life than Sydney.
Cons:
- Weather changes a lot, four seasons a day, bring clothes to be more prepared.
- Wages for some jobs are slightly lower than Sydney.
Suitable for: People who like multicultural and artistic atmosphere, and can accept the weather changes.
3. Brisbane - the best value for money choice!
Advantages:
- Consumption is lower than Sydney and Melbourne, and rent is relatively cheap.
- The climate is warm and the winter is not too cold.
- Working opportunities are stable, many of my friends choose to do long-term base here.
Cons:
- The rhythm of the city is relatively quiet, night life is not as good as Sydney and Melbourne.
Suitable for: limited budget, want to find a cost-effective living environment partners.
4. Perth - the unique charm of Western Australia
Advantages:
- Clean and tidy city, strong sense of life by the sea.
- Working opportunities are mostly concentrated in mining-related and catering, farms.
- WA is very friendly to backpackers who have a need for second and third visa farm work.
Disadvantages:
- Remote location, it takes 4-5 hours to fly to other big cities.
- Entertainment life is relatively single.
Suitable for people who like beach and quiet life, aiming for farm work or long term visa saving.
5. Darwin - The Northern Territory's Worker's Paradise
Advantages:
- There are a lot of farms, factories and catering workers, and it is a popular area for backpackers to get a visa.
- Fewer people, less competition, more opportunities.
- Hot climate, suitable for people who like tropical flavor.
Cons:
- Medium cost of living, but the environment is "primitive" and there is little entertainment.
- Hot and humid summers, need to adapt.
Suitable for: The goal is to quickly set the second visa, third visa, want to work intensively to earn fast money.
6. Remote towns - many opportunities & low cost
Many people overlook the remote towns in Australia, but in fact, they are hidden treasures for WHV.
Pros:
- More job opportunities: restaurants, hotels, farms, processing factories are all in desperate need of manpower, and you can often go to work on the same day you walk in.
- Low cost of living: Rent is more than half the price of big cities, and you can get a nice room for 200-250 a week.
- Visa friendly: most of the jobs in remote areas can be counted as 2nd or 3rd visa.
Disadvantages:
- Limited entertainment options, relatively monotonous life.
- Inconvenient transportation, relies on self-driving to get around.
Suitable for: those who want to find a job quickly, reduce the cost of living, and collect visas on the way.
How to choose a city? A few perspectives to consider
- Clear goal
- Want to experience big city life: Sydney / Melbourne
- Cost-effective: Brisbane
- Want fast visa collection: Darwin / WA / Small towns
- Cost of living
- Big city: high rent + high expenses
- Remote areas: low rent + low entertainment expenses
- Mindset Preparation
- The most important thing to come to Australia is flexibility: if this city doesn't work, move to the next one; if this store doesn't work, try another one.
Summary of my experience
I started off looking for a job in Sydney, where the rent was high, the competition was high, and it took me quite a while to get an interview. Then I went to small towns and remote areas, and realized that walk in is incredibly efficient, and I was able to harvest multiple offers in a week.
Conclusion: There is no perfect city, only the most suitable choice for you.
👉 Suggestion: If it's your first time here, go to a big city first to get used to the environment, and then go to small towns or remote areas, so that you can not only experience city life, but also get a smooth set of visa.
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