23 replies to this topic

[seachangegirl]

Hello, I am from Victoria and thinking of moving to Tassie. I would like to be within a reasonably short driving distance of the ocean and don't have a lot to spend but looks like there are some real estate bargains out there (compared with Victorian real estate anyway).

I found this site and joined, thinking it was just a general site, but it looks like I have blundered into the world of photography? Sorry if that is the case!

I am on my own (well, not entirely, there are my beautiful dogs) and don't know a soul in Tassie, so even thinking of moving there is a little daunting, having to start over getting to know people and making friends. I work from home and as long as I can get broadband, I can continue to do that, so looking for work will be one problem I won't have. Ansons Bay and generally north-east looks nice, but really all of Tassie does.

Are there any other women out there who have done this move alone? Would appreciate thoughts from anyone.

Thanks

[Mystic]

Hi, and welcome.

First of all, photography is fun, but not the main function of this website, which exists to provide the kind of info you are looking for.

I think, to date, the people who have come here looking to make the move have been couples and families. I think being single would actually makes things a lot easier as decisions don't have to be discussed with anyone else or compromises made because of the needs of the other.

Ansons bay and north of there, on the east coast, you may want to do some broadband checks first. One trick I often use when thinking about moving to an area is to do a google search for a local business or phone number, then run that number through one of the availability checks using a major ISP such as telstra (though I would never use Telstra as my ISP).

I doubt you would have any trouble meeting people and making friends, especially if moving to a smaller community. Most people down this way are welcoming.

What kind of work do you do? Look forward to seeing you around. Lots of luck.

[Cascade]

I new you would come to the fore Mystic.

[Shane V]

Hi seachangegirl and welcome to Real Tas. Not sure I can add much more than what Mystic has already said.

[seachangegirl]

Mystic, on 10 January 2011 - 10:05 PM, said:

Hi, and welcome.

First of all, photography is fun, but not the main function of this website, which exists to provide the kind of info you are looking for.

I think, to date, the people who have come here looking to make the move have been couples and families. I think being single would actually makes things a lot easier as decisions don't have to be discussed with anyone else or compromises made because of the needs of the other.

Ansons bay and north of there, on the east coast, you may want to do some broadband checks first. One trick I often use when thinking about moving to an area is to do a google search for a local business or phone number, then run that number through one of the availability checks using a major ISP such as telstra (though I would never use Telstra as my ISP).

I doubt you would have any trouble meeting people and making friends, especially if moving to a smaller community. Most people down this way are welcoming.

What kind of work do you do? Look forward to seeing you around. Lots of luck.

Hi Mystic,
I do medical typing from home, mostly for Sydney specialists. Thanks for your comments and also to Cascade and Shane V for the welcome. I really don't mind where in Tassie I settle, but will look into the broadband thing which might tend to cut out certain locations. I love the ocean and just want to find a peaceful, safe place for myself and my dogs!

Hope to come over in the next few months and start looking in person. I will probably throw out more questions as they come up.

Thanks for the welcome everybody, much appreciated.

[Mystic]

The original plan for the NBN was supposed to cover all areas of Tassie (even those with populations under 1,000) but that is a few years off and reading between the lines lately it seems that plan has changed. A lot of the smaller and more isolated towns do not yet have broadband unless you want to pay through the nose for satellite.

Feel free to ask anything, we may even be able to provide answers.

[Cascade]

Hi again seachangegirl,

The North East although nice with lots of beaches a lot of them are very remote. You will definately need wheels. Also being so far from a major centre means living costs will be a bit higher. Although the whole of Tassie has some pretty speccy beaches some are not dog friendly.
We are 20klm south of Ulverstone and classified rural but it only takes me 20 minutes max to get to the beach. Not all rural spots have broadband. Also you need to shop around for broadband and there are some clever numbers out there that make it sound good but turns out to be rubbish. We all have our own prefered suppliers.... Telstra tends to be shunned by most in the know. I have 1500/256 connection with 30 gb peak + 30 gb offpeak for under $50.00.

Where you "pitch your tent" depends on what lifestyle your looking for in regards to nights out or entertainment etc, closest theatre for culture for us is in Launceston which is around 1 1/2 hrs travel both ways so we often won't get home until 1.00am after a later show.

Burnie, Penguin, Ulverstone and Devonport all have a metro bus service of some sort as do Launceston and Hobart. I'm not sure about further west of Burnie although the bus may go as far as Wynyard.

I guess the come over and look theory works.... If you get flummoxed.. just holler...

[Diego]

Hi Mystic, Shane and all others
I am in a similar position to seachangegirl re moving to 'Devils Island'. I also hope to work from home so broadband is a must along with a peaceful location/seaviews etc. that inspires my creative pursuits. I also would like proximity to Hobart airport as I plan extensive travel after I set up my residential base.
Now to a more pressing issue. From Feb 02 2011 I require accommodation for approximately 3-4weeks as I explore the real estate market. Prefer locations within 20km radius of airport.
House/unit/ apartment sitting would be ideal. I am single, non smoking and very quiet:)
Any help/advice etc would be much appreciated. I look forward to bumping into some "realtasmanians" real soon. Ciao Diego

[Cascade]

Welcome Diego,

Don't forget there are other airports in Tassie. Burnie, Devonport & Launceston.

Only Hobart & Launceston has Jet traffic. But launceston and puts you more central but you will have a 1hr, 1 1/2hr or 2 1/2 hr trip to the beach depending on the direction you head, there are spots on the Tamar River that are very quiet, idylic and inspiring which you may also find could do the trick or perhaps the North, North East or North West Coast's may be able to fulfil your needs for peace and seaviews as could the West Coast. You'd have to travel a bit to the airport of course depending on where you settle.

You may find it difficult to find a place of your description around Hobart and if you do I think it will come at a price.

Try the following link.
http://www.themercur...tate-guide.html

Unfortunatly, most people who want to move here seem to think, Hobart is the be all and end all of Tasmania and many regret settling there after they start to get around and see a bit more of Tassie.

Good Luck with your searching. Sorry I can't help you any further.

[Diego]

Cascade, on 14 January 2011 - 08:46 AM, said:

Welcome Diego,

Don't forget there are other airports in Tassie. Burnie, Devonport & Launceston.

Only Hobart & Launceston has Jet traffic. But launceston and puts you more central but you will have a 1hr, 1 1/2hr or 2 1/2 hr trip to the beach depending on the direction you head, there are spots on the Tamar River that are very quiet, idylic and inspiring which you may also find could do the trick or perhaps the North, North East or North West Coast's may be able to fulfil your needs for peace and seaviews as could the West Coast. You'd have to travel a bit to the airport of course depending on where you settle.

You may find it difficult to find a place of your description around Hobart and if you do I think it will come at a price.

Try the following link.
http://www.themercur...tate-guide.html

Unfortunatly, most people who want to move here seem to think, Hobart is the be all and end all of Tasmania and many regret settling there after they start to get around and see a bit more of Tassie.

Good Luck with your searching. Sorry I can't help you any further.


Hi Cascade,
thanks for your reply.
I visited Tassie in October2009 by car from HBA to Burnie via the east coast and then back down via LST as far as Eggs and Bacon Bay over 8 days.It was essentially a quick familiarisation trip to experience the time and distance twixt locations and of course see some of the islands natural beauty.Other than not having much more time I was not dissappointed.
As I mentioned I plan to see and do a lot more once I am settled.If I can find someplace that's suits my budget, needs a little restoration/landscaping and is not too far from essential services I should be happy. Ciao.

[seachangegirl]

Hi Everyone,
I have been reading many of the posts with interest. Can those of you who live on the west coast, Queenstown, Zeehan etc, tell me a bit about the area please? I think it was Mystic who previously mentioned Queenstown was very friendly. Is the real estate quite cheap because of the isolation?

I would be interested in whether these towns have a hospital/doctors, vet, how hot and cold the weather gets (I'm looking for a place that doesn't get too hot), broadband availability, what is a heat pump?? Basically looking for a peaceful, friendly place to settle, don't like cities, don't need lots of nightlife. Would be interested in volunteering with a wildlife shelter/animal shelter etc.

I hope those with flood trouble over there are coping ok. Victoria of course has had its fair share but luckily ok here in central Vic.

Thanks:)

[Mystic]

I have lived in Zeehan (12 months), Rosebery (3 years) and now Queenstown for the past 12 months. I like the west coast and find it very difficult to leave the area. The one exception is Strahan. Too much of a tourist town for my liking. Nice place to visit, but I would not want to live there. A few years back they were giving houses away in Strahan, now it is probably the most expensive place to buy in the area. Don't really know that much about living conditions in Strahan, so I will stick to the other three main towns.

All three (Queenie, Zeehan & Rosebery have broadband) Queenie has ADSL1 (8Mbps down) Whilst Zeehan & Rosebery have ADSL2+ (12Mbps down). Queenstown has a hospital, the other two towns have a doctor. Real estate prices vary widely depending on the town. Zeehan is the smallest of the three but probably has the highest prices with most houses on the market at 200K+ Rosebery is around 100-150K and Queenie the cheapest with loads of places under 100K and some around 65-70K. Queenstown is the largest town on the west coast and also has lots of houses on the market which is probably why the prices here have stayed reasonably low.

Both Zeehan and Queenie are very friendly places where the locals will smile and say g'day as you wander the streets. Rosebery is a little different. It is a nice spot, but new residents are known as "ferals". I think it took about two years before people started saying hi or waving as they drove past. Rosebery is also a bit of a divided town with those who work in and support the mine on one side and those who fear environmental damage and associated health risks from the mine on the other. All three towns are essentially mining towns, though Queenstown does have a secondary economy through tourism.

Climate is basically the same in all three towns. Minimum temp is around zero on the coldest mornings, but usually around 5-7 overnight in winter. Max temps do get above 30 in summer, but not very often with probably up to a dozen days above that during a hot summer. Usually high 20's in summer. We do get a bit of rain out this way though, with the official avg rainfall around 3 metres per year with most of that from mid winter through spring. You get used to it.

Shopping in the west can sometimes be a pain. Zeehan has a decent sized IGA, as does Rosebery, Queenstown has two. You can buy most things you need to keep yourself fed in any of the towns. You won't get the ultra cheap prices of major supermarkets, but can still live well without it costing the earth. White goods can be purchased at the hardware stores in Zeehan and Rosebery, and the service station in Queenie has recently started stocking a limited range. Computer gear can also be found at the Zeehan hardware, usually at reasonable prices, but I have found it is often easier and cheaper to buy from the mainland and have it posted down.

For virtually anything else it is Hobart or Burnie, both around 200km from Queenstown

As for heat pumps, never used one myself, but you can find info about them here

Hope that helps.

[Cascade]

seachangegirl, on 16 January 2011 - 09:18 PM, said:

Hi Everyone,
I have been reading many of the posts with interest. Can those of you who live on the west coast, Queenstown, Zeehan etc, tell me a bit about the area please? I think it was Mystic who previously mentioned Queenstown was very friendly. Is the real estate quite cheap because of the isolation?

Thanks:)

Oi...... were all friendly in Tassie, well most of us anyway..... Thats why its so hard to find somewhere to live...

As anywhere with "isolation" although housing can be cheaper other everyday expences can be higher, plus the need for a vehicle if you wish to get around. The NW Coast probably has the least extreme weather although as everywhere we sometimes receive our share. Most locations have a vet or doctor available or in the closest bigger town, as for hospitals see the following.

• Royal Hobart Hospital - Hobart
• Calvary Hospital - Hobart
• St Johns Calvary Hospital - Hobart
• Hobart Private Hospital - Hobart
• St Helens Private Hospital - Hobart
• St Helens District Hospital - St Helens
• Launceston General Hospital - Launceston
• St Vincent's Private Hospital - Launceston
• St Lukes Private Hospital - Launceston
• Mersey Community Hospital - Devonport
• North West Regional Hospital - Burnie
• North West Private Hospital - Burnie

Good luck with your hunt....



You win again Mystic.....

[Shane V]

Hi Diego and welcome to Real Tas

[Diego]

[quote name='Shane V' date='17 January 2011 - 12:59 PM' timestamp='1295240385' post='8885']
Hi Diego and welcome to Real Tas


Thanks Shane,
just read Mystic on Queenstown.
I thought the NW was generally wild,wet and windy however now I am tempted to go and see for myself next month.
Maybe we can all meet up for a coffee or a frothy and some good conversation?.
ciao
Diego

[Mystic]

Hiya Diego. Sorry must have missed your earlier posts.

This area can get very wild, and exceptionally wet. Usually February is one of the calmer and warmer months, but that doesn't stop it from snowing on the peaks at times.

Let us know if you are ever heading over this way and we will see what we can do about catching up.

[Diego]

[quote name='Mystic' date='17 January 2011 - 01:31 PM' timestamp='1295242290' post='8888']
Hiya Diego. Sorry must have missed your earlier posts.

This area can get very wild, and exceptionally wet. Usually February is one of the calmer and warmer months, but that doesn't stop it from snowing on the peaks at times.

Let us know if you are ever heading over this way and we will see what we can do about catching up.




Hey Mystic,
thanks for reply.
Yes I will be happy to announce my arrival in Queenstown in due course and anticipate a glorious and joyful reception with full media coverage of course ....
however ..............
failing that ..............a dry scenic location and an Esky laden with appropriate refreshments should suffice!
ciao
Diego

Edited by Diego, 17 January 2011 - 04:44 PM.

[Cascade]

Same here Diego, happy to meet and have chat if you have time.

Refreshments always available to anyone who visits, I'm 20klm due south of Ulverstone at Preston which is above Gunns Plains if you happen to plan on dropping by, let me know,or I'm happy to climb on the bike and come visit you if your camped somewhere in the locality.

[Diego]

Cascade, on 17 January 2011 - 05:01 PM, said:

Same here Diego, happy to meet and have chat if you have time.

Refreshments always available to anyone who visits, I'm 20klm due south of Ulverstone at Preston which is above Gunns Plains if you happen to plan on dropping by, let me know,or I'm happy to climb on the bike and come visit you if your camped somewhere in the locality.

Hey Cascade,
good to hear from you.
Ok will make contact when in locale.
When you say bike I hope it's got pedals....I do 30k average ride here in Perth most days. I enjoy keeping fit and great way to see the wildlife around the rivers. Look forward to our meet and greet,.
ciao for now amigo,
Diego

[Cascade]

I have both... But you ain't seen the gradients in hills around here.. It'll probably be the motorised one.....