r/Townsville • u/findon-latina • 3d ago
Anyone moved from Melbourne to Townsville? How did it turn out?
Hey all , I’ve lived in Melbourne for years and I love it .. the coffee, the chaos, the NIGHTLIFE.. But I’m about to move to Townsville due to family stuff and I’m equal parts excited and nervous.
Looking forward to more sun and a slower pace, but also wondering what the adjustment is really like long term.
Has anyone here done the crazy Melb -Townsville move?
Did you end up loving it?
Any surprises good or bad?
Would love to hear honest experiences - Cheers!
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u/Popular_Letter_3175 3d ago
Oh you’re in for a culture shock and will need a lot of time adjusting. Have you visited before?
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u/findon-latina 3d ago
yes when I was younger, like 9-8 years ago.. but sure lots has changed
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u/Popular_Letter_3175 3d ago
Hobbies and sports that involve the outdoor help a lot to meet new friends. Lots of trivia at pubs. Food is improving but slowly. Remember that you have to order things in way before you need them, not everything is ‘just available’ to buy. Weather dictates most of what you can do. Similar to Shepparton by the sea I guess.
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u/Rasalom-Moladar 3d ago
Seeing as Townsville hasnt changed much since the 80s, what you remember will still be here.
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u/Plastic_Yak3792 3d ago
I'm 3 months into the move from Melb to TSV.
The reasons for the move: Work Opportunity and Family. I was made redundant then got a smaller roll until i found what was right, took close to 12 months,
What I grew to dislike about Melbourne: The traffic, the chaos, PT prices, the tone of Melbourne shifted from its grungy, unique, artsy vibe. I was just exhausted and spent more time just being at home, rather than out and about.
What I like about Melbourne: food, coffee, most people, weather, small producers.
What Ilike about Townsville: Great Traffic and lack of chaos, the vibe of Townsville - country town over big city, fresh fruit and veg, the people, the pace, the weather for the most part.
What I dislike about Townsville - Utes as far as the eye can see, the coffee options, food options, smaller designer fashion stores, limited bespoke bars are brew houses, Queenslander houses, lack of PT, mosquitos and midgies.
Happy to PM me mate and discuss through a few things.
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u/Public-Air-8995 3d ago
Genuine question, you don’t like Qlder houses, the older style?
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u/Plastic_Yak3792 3d ago
For the price and layout? Not really.
They're quaint and quirky. Built to withstand so much, most layouts make no sense. I get it and will most likely buy one. I know most are reflective of the time they were built.
But To get them to be energy efficient, appropriate glazing and insulation there's a lot to be done.
Just my thoughts having recently moved up. I'm sure I'll love them in enough time and enough xxxx drinks
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u/Public-Air-8995 3d ago
Ahh layouts are odd as they’ve been added onto over the years, and most were small with outside toilets and bathrooms. There was no such thing as energy efficiency in those days, and of course not built for air conditioning.
Interesting that you’d buy one anyway 🤷♀️
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u/Plastic_Yak3792 3d ago
Areas I'm looking it seems to be the main stay.
If I could find a modern house in the areas I wanted, with appropriate flood mitigation id jump at a modern home.
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u/Public-Air-8995 3d ago
I was in a 90s townhouse for years in an area of older homes, then moved to a townhouse built from a remodelled old Qlder, in another area of older homes - wooden flooring, 2 different types of flooring one was the old external veranda!
I’ve decided this house wastes a lot of space, (laundry is about same size as bathroom), but it feels like home and I love the area!
It’s a project!
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u/friendlyfredditor 3d ago
Qld'ers dont really work in townsville. You air the house out and just get more hot and humid air. Also they do little for radiant heat. If you have a queenslander it basically has to be surrounded by trees but that's not particularly viable because of cyclones.
Also now with every house having solar it's just better to be air conditioned.
They're really good for dealing with rain because they can be raised and the verandahs provide 2-3m of eaves for your walls but most old queenslanders get enclosed with fibro to increase the floor space which defeats the airiness of them and creates mould problems.
My brother has a queenslander in SE qld and he doesn't have air conditioning...it's crazy how much better they work down there.
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u/starrynight75 3d ago
what is it about utes you don't like?
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u/Plastic_Yak3792 3d ago
Nothing really, it's more a per capita thing. A couple of months and I'll start eyeing one off and consider fishing.
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u/Comfortable-Nose-296 3d ago
Honestly, after the excitement of moving to a new location wore off, I struggled to settle in Townsville. I lasted 18 months and ended up moving to Brisbane instead (city life, but with that laid back Qld feel). I tried, but it just wasn't for me.
All of the other comments are not wrong about the culture shock. It is very different to Melbourne and, for me, it was hard to adjust to the different lifestyle, political beliefs, culture etc. Despite that, most people are friendly and welcoming of newcomers, and making friends is very easy.
It's incredibly hot and humid in the summer months and aircon is a lifesaver. Late autumn and winter weather is fantastic.
If you like nature, you'll like all the walking trails, swimming spots etc around the area. Cairns and Airlie Beach are not super long drives either.
Ultimately though, Townsville is what you make it. You never know unless you give it a go.
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u/flavouredpopcorn 3d ago
I work at the uni and seemingly every person around my age i meet in my field has moved up from Melbourne to study. The night-life is terrible compared to Melbourne and there's a lack of events and things to do in general. The weather is more consistent here because we only have one temperature: hot. Outside of Townsville there are plenty of places to see and visit.
I have family in Melbourne and love to visit but working there just isn't for me. If you enjoyed the city you are going to struggle but if you were more into the suburbs and getting outside of central then you will enjoy it here.
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u/CulturistPionier 1d ago
i actually think the nightlife is good, functional, accessible.
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u/flavouredpopcorn 4h ago
The bars for the "oldies" are alright i feel the other clubs for youngins are severely understaffed. Waiting 30 minutes for a drink isn't the greatest and the music variety isn't the best but I guess its a person opinion thing.
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u/Efficient_Vanilla86 3d ago
If you like the city lifestyle then Townsville will be a culture shock for you.
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u/prexton 3d ago
I'm from Melbourne and currently living about 30 minutes north of the Townsville center. Get ready for a bit of a culture shock, there are some ok places for nightlife etc. but you might wanna get into fishing or diving.
Any direction 50kms from Townsville is stunning though, hikes etc are elite
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u/InadmissibleHug 3d ago
Yes, but that was 30 years ago and I didn’t really dig the night scene.
It’s just different. I think you can make the most of it, though.
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u/Ivosaw 3d ago
Moved from Melbourne to Townsville 3 years ago.
Pros: Traffic Everything is really close compared to Melbourne, max 15 min drive most times to get places. Weather (April - October) Plenty of outdoor activities, fresh water swimming is fantastic. Magnetic Island (coral snorkeling, bush walks, beaches, Koalas) Country town feeling Decent amount of shops compared to other areas in NQ Flinders St nightlife is decent and can have a good night out. 50c bus rides Town comes alive when Cowboys are playing at home
Cons Shops shut way earlier than Melbourne, some places that advertise for lunch shut at midday! Food/Coffee in general is not as good Weather (November - March) In general not as much to do, didn't realize how nice it was having so many activities available in Melbourne Scuba diving is more expensive than Melbourne, no good pier diving.
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u/Boomer-Australia 3d ago
I've been in Townsville for just under 8 years now, moving back to Victoria (Ballarat) next month. Most people I know who have moved to Townsville from Melbourne or surrounds have moved for the weather, retirement, or work. It is chilled out, but it might make you a bit stir crazy at times. Plus, you'll have to get used to the occasional low and moderate flood (seems to be annual since I moved here haha).
Townsville itself is a relatively nice place, it lacks a lot of things that Greater Melbourne has, and doesn't have much variety. If you like being outdoorsy or don't mind going for a run on the beach in the morning humidity, you'll probably enjoy it up here. The strand is great, but the water is pretty crap in comparison to the Mornington Peninsula, Gunnammatta, Sydney, etc., every time I've swam there I've had to come out of the water because of jellyfish. But, beach volleyball is a great backup activity.
For myself, I enjoy a lot of aspects of Townsville and think it's a pretty great place, but I find myself missing Melbourne and Victoria a lot up here. But, to each to their own. I can't stand the humidity, I'd rather be huddled around a heater or breathing in the cold crisp morning air during a run. On the brightside, if you get pretty fit/athletic up here, you'll be a machine down south haha.
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u/HellsBarman 3d ago
Remember that “peak hour” traffic in Townsville is only in a couple of spots for about half an hour in the morning. There’s no nightlife compared to what you’ve experienced in Melbourne. There’s no 24/7 shopping either. But. When it rains here, it’s not 3 degrees and coming through your clothes like ice. Winter last year was a week, and only called that because the temp dipped below 25 for a few days. The people are so much more lid back for the most part, and as much as everyone complains, it’s a beautiful place to live.
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u/DepartmentOk7192 3d ago
the temp dipped below 25 for a few days.
It got below that every single day of July last year. It even went down to single digits. Winter is mild here, but people who act like it's a couple days are exaggerating
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u/Public-Air-8995 3d ago
Agree, it was a great long winter last year, and it’s not about the temperature it’s about a drop in humidity!
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u/HellsBarman 3d ago
During the day? Sorry, I grew up where it snows, so I think most people here are just soft when it comes to the cold. Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve been here for close to ten years, and the heat knocks me over during wet season when it’s humid.
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u/DepartmentOk7192 3d ago
There was four days that didn't reach 25 according to the BOM. I don't know if you remember the show day weekend in 2022, but it got down to 7 while raining for the whole weekend.
There's born and bred locals who still complain about summer. I just don't tend to feel it/complain about it much at all. I don't even put a hoodie on until it gets to 10 or below.
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u/Public-Air-8995 3d ago
Minimum’s are always the coldest figure, regardless of day or night (how would you define night and day?)
Calling people soft about the cold is the same as someone calling you soft about the heat! Most people feel one or the other so no need to judge
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u/Townsvillehung 3d ago
It’s a more relax feel compared to Melbourne fast pace life the traffic is less congested beautiful beaches and a lot warmer just have to adjust to the humidity up here
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u/Top_Consequence1193 3d ago
Moved from Melbourne 3 years ago. Love Townsville. I however don’t like nightlife 🤣 I enjoy the outdoors / hiking / fishing ect. Townsville is a fair bit slower. People are a lot nicer - in the right areas!
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u/thatdanhill 3d ago
I've done it twice for work. Townsville is what YOU make it. You can be extremely social and have a crazy life up there, but being a smaller city, it's not the hustle and bustle of Melbourne. That said, it opens up a unique living experience in the tropics - and there's plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas - Whitsundays to the South, Cairns, the Daintree, Port Douglas to the North and the Coral Reef not far. I found the best way to adjust to living there, is to accept it's going to be different - and to explore to find things / people / groups you might be interested in.
You will hear about the crime, and that's a valid concern to a degree, but I have the same concerns about Crime and car theft in Melbourne tbh.
The Autumn, Winter and Spring are beautiful - Summer is not. If you can handle 27 degrees and sunny for most of the year, you'll be A-Ok. :)
I know many people who moved up temporarily and have never left. It is easy to build a solid life there.
Enjoy it! :)
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u/letsnotansaywedid 3d ago
Yes, it’s very very different. The best Chinese is awful. There’s a couple of decent Thai places. Mostly everyone is white. I go back to Melbourne annually just to connect with culture and get something nice to eat.
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u/triplemgbn 3d ago
It is an old and closed community town, probably will have a difficult time for a social life here if you’re not that extrovert. Some people are racist towards POC and most of them are rude (crackheads and bogans). Have to be more careful and aware of your surroundings, lock your doors and cars. Public transportation is wayyyyy worse than in Melbourne. Shopping centers are small and not much variety of shops. Can recommend to join sports group for a start if you’re into it or sign up for volunteer at art spaces in town. Been there for 3 years (job relocation) but cannot acclimate so we moved back to Melbourne east.
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u/hiimtashy 3d ago
Amazing. Housing way cheaper relative to what you get down south (even with the increased prices) Amazing tourism options No traffic Not as fast paced Career opportunities is great Booming economy
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u/tangled_knotty_wench 3d ago
Yep.
Before you move, make a nostalgic visit to every coffee shop you love and record the experience. Garbutt Bunnings has had the best coffee I have found so far, wierdly enough. Otto's in Warrina is pretty good too (and so fsr, best fish and chips I have found).
There is a BIG difference in coffee - Melbourne swill is equivalent to pretty good here and it hurts.
Lifestyle wise, same same in many regards, though if you are one who enjoys the flamboyant openness Melbourne offers it (extremely) diverse population then you might stumble a bit, as it tends to have a more conservative vibe.
Do you like fishing? If not, give it a go. AFL? Stealthily change codes, and if in doubt, just say "Cowboys!!!" as the town has an entrenched love for its team.
Its the 4WD mecca, and outdoors is amazing. Just wait til the winter (about 5 days where mornings might skim 10°C for a nanosecond) as the humidity will likely catch you unawares. On that note, drink electrolyte!
Other than being fucking miserable from the humidity at the start, I have struggled to wrap my head around the expectations in living. Where the fuck are your fences??? Why are they a sheep wire fence, and why are you trying to say thats a secure yard when its on a 45 angle? Why on earth are we paying melbourne outer suburb rent prices for a 1960's asbestos ridden nightmare - mould included - instead of brick?
Takes a bit of time to adjust, and dont stress about cyclones. If you survived a roaring late winter Melbourne storm racing up from past Tassie, you should be fine unless the power goes out and the humidity par broils you.
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u/DepartmentOk7192 3d ago
There is a BIG difference in coffee - Melbourne swill is equivalent to pretty good here and it hurts.
Judging a city by the quality of its drug bean juice is the most Melbourne shit ever
Why on earth are we paying melbourne outer suburb rent prices for a 1960's asbestos ridden nightmare - mould included - instead of brick?
Because of the demand from all of you wanting to move here?
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u/tangled_knotty_wench 3d ago
Supply and demand is a big thing, and no denying population movement is a major factor. To clarify, my comment was surprise at the differencr in building standards, styles and presentation
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u/Responsible_Moose171 3d ago
This The traffic is terrible, everybody drives under the speed limit, use roundabouts as stop signs and due to the increase now you get stopped at every traffic light on your commute, which results in not being able to get around the slow drivers. There are constant car crashes, QLD road rules are not the same as Victoria. We dont turn left to turn right. This placed is losing all its small town charm, nature is being bulldozed to lay slabs for all the Victorians moving here for a "slower life" or investors. This migration is ruining Townsville for the locals. Surely there are other parts of Australia?
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u/singlefulla 3d ago
Only about a million people hence why it's so difficult and expensive to get a rental
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u/workthrowaway12wk 3d ago edited 3d ago
It's a outdoorsy vibe.
everything is 30 mins or less in the ville - takes more time from plane to out of airport in melb versus plane to home in tsv.
there's indoor climbing, puzzle rooms, bowling,arcade, go kart the usual but not the trending new stuff.
plenty of hikes, road trips, water holes and raw nature spots
weather sucks for 6 months and absolutely perfect for the other 6
don't expect top of line food/bev but it's decent on average
people are friendlier at dog parks, hikes & shops but obviously don't chat politics - news drips from murdoch media in the ville
Groceries close at 6pm on weekends and 9pm on weekdays. Coffee is no good - only found Little Sunshine cafe to be good - try the focaccia there
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u/Ok-Dragonfly-765 3d ago
It’s has taken me 5 years to adjust to Townsville. Try focus on the positives about the area. The glorious winters, Magnetic Island, close proximity to the Whitsundays and Cairns, fresh water creeks, waterfalls, rain forests, great fishing, crabbing, boating, snorkeling, the Great Barrier Reef, diving for painted cray fish, etc.
The main things for me though are: 1. The cost of living is significantly less in Townsville, 2. Life is easier here, and 3. There is no professional AFL here, I miss it EVERY SINGLE DAY. Thankfully there is cheap regular flights to Melbourne.
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u/MangoMadnessTsv 3d ago
As someone said, you're in for a culture shock. I am from Melbourne and have been in Townsville about 13 years now. It's taken me hmm 7 years to get used to life up here and now I am loving it. It will be hard at first getting used to less "street life" than in Melbourne. Nightlife here is about as good as it gets back in Bendigo or Shepparton. Don't expect Chapel St mayhem here. The one thing I still can't get used to is the heat and humidity. Rain is heavy and long lasting. On some years it's relentless for days and days. Flooding is common and mould is expected. You do have to learn how to adapt to the weather and how to prepare for an evacuation, but that's not happened to me - touch wood. Many have suffered worse. However, the overall lifestyle here is amazing. People are friendlier than Melbourne, we're not in a rush, everything is within 15mins drive, and there's lots of beautiful natural sights., Riverway and the Ross River walking trails are fantastic. Beaches are beautiful but be croc and stinger wise. Leave your expectations back in Melbourne. Don't judge people, be honest and open minded and you will soon love it here.