Living in Darwin

[Turtle61]

Guys,

I am back from Europe and looking for work.
Sort of got an offer of a job in Darwin (public service - government).

Just came back from a 4 day reccy and we spoke to someone who hates it and is about to leave and the missus doesn't seem to like it too much. I like it. Seems like a nice place although seems alomost as expensive as Sydney...

Can I get a unbiased (or biased) opinion from anyone who lives/lived there on the cost of living, rent, practicals etc? The work would be in the city (Mitchell Street) and IF I get the job I'd like to live as close as possible.

The job is on hold for a while so I have a little time to think about it...

Cheers...

[CraigE]

I loved Darwin when we were up there. But we were not working there and with the heat and humidity it may be a different matter.
CraigE

[jsttry]

Its just coming into the dry season (winter) so temperatures are cooling down. Around Oct/Nov is when it gets really hot and humid, although most places are airconditioned these days.

Even living in the suburbs its only 10-30min drive to Mitchell St in the CBD.

It depends on what you like doing, night life, camping??

[EchiDna]

I almost moved there in Sept 2006 - there was a similar thred started by me...
Only reason I didn't go in the end was due to my company expecting me (and my family) on the deck and working inside 3 weeks and to sign a 3 year contract upfront. They seems a bit too anxious to me and in truth it was an average offer. We would have been in the toilet financially had we taken it thanks to the astronomical rents and the cost of living. If the wage is acceptable and the housing is taken care of - I'd go in a flash.

[Turtle61]

Cheers guys...



I almost moved there in Sept 2006 - there was a similar thred started by me...
Only reason I didn't go in the end was due to my company expecting me (and my family) on the deck and working inside 3 weeks and to sign a 3 year contract upfront. They seems a bit too anxious to me and in truth it was an average offer. We would have been in the toilet financially had we taken it thanks to the astronomical rents and the cost of living. If the wage is acceptable and the housing is taken care of - I'd go in a flash.

Yeah, that is one of the reasons why the deal isn't too sweet... The rent is a bit on the high side although compared to Sydney the only main diff is travelling time to the office - 15 min vs 45. Not sure if good enough reason.

Any other comments?

[LandyAndy]

If you are a fisherman,you cant catch Barra in sydaknee!!!!!
Andrew

[Turtle61]

Oi! You're supposed to talk me OUT OF IT (well SWMBO wants me talked out of it)!

... putting everything practical aside, I'd move there tomorrow (actually mid-May when the container with all my junk arrives from Switzerland)...

[Mick-Kelly]

Come to Brissy.......................................every one else is :p

[Ace]

Oi! You're supposed to talk me OUT OF IT (well SWMBO wants me talked out of it)!

... putting everything practical aside, I'd move there tomorrow (actually mid-May when the container with all my junk arrives from Switzerland)...

Mate if your missus is highly opposed to the idea then is it a good idea, there is nothing worse than living with a ****ed off SWMBO no matter where you live. She might come to like the place aswell but with women who the hell knows.

What is the job, what will the missus be able to do, will she have work?

[Turtle61]

What is the job, what will the missus be able to do, will she have work?

Graphic designer job for the Dept of Health. Public service. Cushy.

She actually got a better chance of getting a research job at CDU or DHCS than in Sydney, but not having one at the moment is the problem (employment security/child care/boredom). If she got an offer we'd be there in a flash as it is very hard for any researcher to get any job any where...



Come to Brissy.......................................every one else is :p

No way. My mob lives there and SWMBO simply will not.
No offence to Brisbanites but I don't like the place...

We're aiming a bit more north: Cairns. If there was a job for any one of us we'd move there without batting an eye lid. I missed out on a couple 'coz I wasn't in the country when they came up. :(


Oh, well...

[LandyAndy]

Hey my sister lived there for a while,she loved it,she is now in Brisbane but still talks about the good times in Darwin.
She tells me of a pub there where the urinal is one way glass,ie you see into the pub but the pub cant see you.
Apparently many get stagefright and cant perform.
She also told me that a friend,his mrs and his friend went there.The guy goes to the toilet only to watch his best mate pashing on with his mrs.BUSTED
Andrew

[GregTD5]

Darwin is a great place to live, plenty of things happening, nice clean modern city, every thing there you need, but without the population of the cities.
It is expensive to purchase a house, but I'm not sure its much worse than Sydney or Perth at the moment.
I moved from Darwin to Perth 2 years ago and would have to say there was no difference in cost of living expenses: shopping etc.
There is also a huge saving to be had in commuting from just about anywhere in Darwin, as suburbs are close to CBD.
The weather around Oct Nov can get a bit hard to take at times, with no where convenient to go too get away from the build up weather, other than interstate.
If you take up the job I hope you enjoy it !!

Greg

[markyc]

Hey my sister lived there for a while,she loved it,she is now in Brisbane but still talks about the good times in Darwin.
She tells me of a pub there where the urinal is one way glass,ie you see into the pub but the pub cant see you.
Apparently many get stagefright and cant perform.

Hey, there's one in Brissie! I can't remember the name, possibly nautical? Anyway, us blokes can aim at diners' heads as the tables are fixed to the outside of the glass/mirror wall:D
Maybe the girls can too:eek:

[EchiDna]

there's one of those one way urinals in the shamrock in toowoomba too...

for me, if the missus aint up for it, you'd be nuts goin. I have a family friend in darwin where the wife is on maternity and the husband is a pilot for the mines - it's tough for them as he is away for weeks at a time and she is alone with minimal friends and a young bub. I'd budget $350+ per week for rent, many places for under that figure are absolute holes. ask for the rent thrown in on top of the package and if they take the bait, grab it and enjoy for a few years.

[George130]

Can't give you any help on Darwin. One I regret was the job in Geraldton I almost took.

[Hellonwheels]

Hi,

I have lived up and around the top end for over 15 years and love it.
Darwin has a unique lifestyle and is hard to compare to any other city, "you have to fit Darwin, not the other way around!".
The Top end is about contrasts, It gets hot, and horribly humid during the build up...but if you stick it out, the wet season is spectacular.
The dry is great for outdoor activities, buy a boat, go 4wd exploring the goldfields down around Grove Hill/Pine creek region, join the sailing club and participate in their terrific races around the tiwi islands and beyond.
If you love the cosmopolitan madness of sydney, Darwin wont suit you, but if you rent a unit around Larrekea, enjoy beach sunsets at the markets work in Darwin CBD, you may just enjoy the relaxing lifestyle...especially if you can manage to live without 24 hour airconds as many 'southern-migrants' seem to end up.
Good luck with your decision.