10 Best Places to Live in Australia as a British Expat

Emigrating to Australia is not a new idea. British expats who seek sunshine and adventure have been looking to the other side of the world for decades.

Australia has a charm and cultural kinship with the UK that is hard to dismiss, making it one of the most compelling places in the world to move to. And at Clifton Private Finance, we can help with the short-term bridging finance, secured against a UK property, if a life down under appeals to you. This lets you act as a cash buyer abroad before you sell back home.

Let’s look at the ten best places to live in Australia and how you can make it happen.

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Why Australia is a Popular Location for British Expats

Moving to Australia may be literally the other side of the world physically, but it’s not too far culturally. One of the more appealing sides to moving there is that there’s no language barrier and only the slightest social shift.

Drop a British person into the busy centre of Sydney or the suburbs of Canberra, and they’ll manage just fine. It’s a comfortable reassurance that cannot be understated.

Beyond that though, Australia has so much to offer. The weather is incredible, the healthcare is strong and reliable, and the salaries are higher than the UK average.

For families looking to make a new life with their children, the Australian education system is world-class and the environment is safe; remote workers and digital nomads can explore new horizons and new opportunities; career professionals are catered for; and retirees can get more out of their pensions.

But in such a vast country, where should you choose as your destination?

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The 10 Best Cities to Live in Australia

1. Sydney

While Sydney may not be Australia’s capital, it is Australia’s financial and employment centre. Mid-to-senior level professionals often enjoy a salary boost when moving to the city; especially in specialist sectors, such as finance, tech, law, and healthcare.

Corporations are keen to engage with key talent, and many will offer expats enticing offers to draw them to the city.

More comfortable pay packages aren’t limited to top-end graduate jobs either. Creatives, tradespeople, healthcare professionals, hospitality and service industry employees also find Sydney a rewarding location to move to.

Maintaining that work-life balance that Australia boasts, Sydney residents also enjoy a generally positive lifestyle.

With the sun shining outside, the culture is genuinely outdoor-led, meaning it’s not unusual to shrug off the office in time to head to the beach for a swim or surf and then round off the evening in one of the many top-quality restaurants. If you can afford it, Sydney provides a quality day-to-day experience.

Renting is competitive, too, and compromises are often required on property size or location. Long commutes to balance house pricing are not uncommon.

For career-focused professionals and families with stable incomes, Sydney offers an almost unlimited range of delights; retirees and those on a budget may find Australia’s other cities a better fit.

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2. Melbourne

A sizeable city with a huge international expat community, Melbourne is a haven for British expats who want the bustle of metropolitan life and career without sacrificing personal time and growth.

Melbourne is well known for its expansive culture. With a stunning array of restaurants and cafés, alongside theatres, galleries, music venues, and sporting opportunities, the city never runs out of something to do.

The central business district (CBD) and docklands boast a free tram system, which lets you move around the busiest areas effortlessly, giving residents unparalleled access to the biggest draws in Melbourne.

It’s a city of life, perfect for young professionals and families alike.

Melbourne is home to some of Australia’s top universities, as well as a spread of quality state and private schools. Parents can rest assured that children are receiving a top-quality education while they explore the large and diverse job market.

For those with a focus on the property market, Melbourne presents a serious outlook. It is somewhat cheaper than Sydney, but still commands high prices, especially in inner city locations. Rents are high and space is at a premium.

Expats with strong financial backing will be able to compete for premium locations, while those on a budget can still find properties on the outskirts.

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3. Brisbane

Situated halfway up Australia’s eastern side, Brisbane offers a true subtropical alternative to the bigger southern cities. This is where the romanticised image of Australian sunshine meets reality.

For British expats looking for a real counter to the grey, rain-soaked skies of the UK, Brisbane answers the call.

While prices are rising, Brisbane remains a more affordable alternative to Sydney or Melbourne, where families can enjoy larger homes for a more reasonable investment.

Professionals enjoy the easier commute around the city, and retirees can bask in the reliable heat; just be sure to factor in the importance of air conditioning.

Expats moving today will get a foot in the door of a city that’s sure of a bright future.

Best for families and long-term expats, Brisbane suits those looking for space, a more relaxed pace of life, and blazing sunshine over frenetic career paths or 24-hour entertainment.

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4. Perth

On the other side of Australia, 4200 km to the west and a full 4-hour flight away from Sydney, lies Perth.

This considerable distance from the more connected major cities makes Perth the most isolated significant urban centre in Australia, and less suited as a base for seeing the country. This unique location, however, does not lack for interest.

Perth offers delightful beaches, large homes with gardens, and a relaxed pace of life, all wrapped up in some of Australia’s brightest weather.

Known for its mining and engineering industries, Perth offers a range of comprehensive roles in high-demand sectors.

The energy, logistics, and construction sectors draw in expat talent from around the world, with the city seeking skilled workers for its continued level of infrastructure development.

Perth is an excellent option for expats looking to build a secure long-term life in Australia. The property market is stable for owner-occupiers, with good value for money and less competition even at the upper end.

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5. Adelaide

Considered the most affordable of Australia’s major cities, Adelaide on the south coast gives budget-conscious British expats an opening when Sydney and Melbourne are out of reach.

Here, it’s possible to invest in a home closer to the city centre without sacrificing on space.

Adelaide is Australia’s defence hub, with a range of opportunities for expats to work in the industry. From the naval yard to the Lot Fourteen district, the volume of work and career choices for Adelaide’s residents is considerable. And defence isn’t the only option, with healthcare and education both significant sectors for employment.

Though not quite the size of the larger cities, there is plenty of culture and vibrancy in the city, with an active live music scene, a focus on food and wine (much of which is produced locally), and the second-largest fringe festival in the world.

For expats seeking a comfortable and settled lifestyle, gaining from Australia’s balanced attitude and enjoyable climate, Adelaide provides a compelling option.

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6. Canberra

Australia’s true capital city takes itself seriously. Eschewing the edgy culture of Sydney, Canberra is the political and administrative centre of the country, preferring beautiful parks over neon nightlife.

For expats, this positions Canberra as a professional and family-centric location.

Careers are largely focused on the federal government and public administration, with education following neatly. Schools here are high-quality and Canberra is the home to both the Australian National University and University of Canberra.

Homes are typically larger than other main cities, with gardens a more common feature.

Its location, positioned between Sydney and Melbourne, means it shares their climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Flights to either are short, and a drive to Sydney is a mere three hours.

For long-term settlers with families, or professionals working in politics and government, Canberra is well framed as the sensible choice.

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7. Gold Coast

Famed for its sun-soaked beaches, Gold Coast is an ideal place for expat retirees looking to get away from the tiredness of decades of hard work in the UK and swap it for something a lot more energising.

The shoreside location offers an (almost) never-ending sequence of sun-filled days in a city that’s expat-friendly and, above all, relaxing.

While it’s probably not the first choice for career-driven professionals or families looking for a large cost-effective home, Gold Coast offers older expats the life in retirement that you may have been dreaming of for years.

With the right funding support to help snap up opportunities, Gold Coast is the answer for anyone looking to Australia to provide a well-deserved retirement after a lifetime of toil.

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8. Sunshine Coast

Moving a few hours north to the other side of Brisbane takes us from a coast of gold to one of sunshine. Sunshine Coast offers many similar benefits to its southerly neighbour, but with slightly less intensity. The pace is quieter and slower than Gold Coast, with fewer tourists and a more settled feel.

Here property has been historically affordable, but it is rising steadily year-on-year, making Sunshine Coast a valuable investment for owner-occupiers.

Well-positioned homes can be competitive, but the market maintains a healthy level that savvy British expats can take advantage of.

Like Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast is primarily a draw for retirees. While there are employment opportunities in healthcare, skilled trades, and tourism, corporate roles are limited for ambitious professionals.

Thanks to a friendly community and similar cultural sensibilities to the UK, Sunshine Coast offers retiree expats a pleasant alternative to Gold Coast.

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9. Hobart

Situated on the island of Tasmania, the capital city of Hobart provides a striking alternative to mainland Australia. With the beautiful Mount Wellington dominating the skyline of the city as well as the rest of the island to explore, Hobart is an exciting location for expats keen on the outdoors.

The city itself is historic and culturally rich, with a cooler climate than most of Australia, and is sometimes compared to a European style city rather than an Australian one.

As a result, foodies and art aficionados will find much to love.

As with the property market, job opportunities are limited, making Hobart a place that appeals more to retirees and remote workers than career professionals.

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10. Darwin

For adventurous expats, Darwin offers a different look at Australia.

With only two seasons (‘wet’ and ‘dry’), extreme humidity and tropical storms, and wildlife that definitely doesn’t have your best interests at heart, Darwin is not an option for the faint hearted.

But, for British expats looking for something utterly different, this northernmost Australian city has much to offer.

Those who settle in Darwin often state that they’ll never leave.

It’s remote, the job market is limited, and isolation can be a real problem for some, but property is affordable and large. Darwin might not be the first choice for many expats, but for many it’s something very special.

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8 Considerations for Expats When Moving to Australia

When comparing moving to Australia from the UK over closer European countries like Spain, it’s important to consider the implications. Australia is much further away, and this makes it is harder to undo a move if you don’t enjoy it.

1. Distance from the UK

Australia is literally the other side of the world. Flights are expensive and can take 20 hours or more, so trips back to visit family are likely to be infrequent.

It’s easy to become disconnected from your past life, even with the modern advantages of video calls and social media.

Any emergencies or big family events can feel unreachable when compared to European destinations, which are typically only a few hours flight from the British Isles.

2. Visa Complexity

Australia has strict eligibility requirements for UK expats and comprehensive research is essential. Problems can occur and delays are to be expected, with specifics like assessing skills for career paths both administratively slow and costly.

Your permanent residency is not guaranteed, so it’s important everything is in place before you purchase.

3. Cost of Living

Australia is not one of the cheapest places to move to, and day-to-day expenses can exceed the UK in places. Sydney and Melbourne rival London for costs, with high property prices and an extremely competitive rental market.

4. Buying Property

Financing an Australian mortgage can be complicated and lengthy. You may experience some restrictions on the property you can purchase and should expect higher levels of stamp duty than Australian nationals pay.

5. Climate

It’s tempting to think that the continuous sunshine in Australia is all upside, but British nationals may find it harder to adapt than expected. It’s also not just sunshine and beaches with heatwaves, bushfires, and flooding all more extreme than the UK weather. Cyclones are also possible in the northern areas, such as Darwin.

6. Wildlife

Jokes aside, Australia is home to some of the more dangerous animals in the world. Arachnophobes may find it difficult, as large spiders are common, and both snakes and jellyfish play a part in everyday life for many Australians.

The wildlife will not always respect your property boundaries, so be prepared to learn how to deal with a new world of creatures.

7. Size and Isolation

Australia is big and cities are spaced far apart. While this is something easy to acknowledge mentally, the reality of it can be overwhelming. Combined with the detachment from your family and friends back home, loneliness and isolation may impact your plans.

8. Rent First

For expats looking to move to Australia, at Clifton Private Finance we recommend renting first. Taking the time to properly experience these differences before making your long-term plans will help you understand the challenges and work out how to overcome them.

If you do find a property to purchase while you’re out there, we’re here to help you get finance, even from the other side of the world.

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How to Buy Property in Australia with a UK Bridging Loan

Financing your Australian property must be done with care. Securing an Australian mortgage will require the right visa to be in place, proving stable income, and showing financial security.

It’s important not to rush and agree to high rates or short-term visa-linked lending, while also working in a very competitive market rich with cash buyers and fast-moving investors.

UK bridging finance offers a solution.

With a bridging loan, you can secure short-term funding with your existing UK-based property. This gives you the flexibility to work sensibly on your Australian finance without needing to rush, as well as providing you with the funds needed to act as a cash buyer, seizing opportunities in the Australian property market.

Managed effectively, a UK bridging loan is the missing piece of a complex puzzle, providing you with the power you need to act with confidence.

Bridging finance works on an ‘exit strategy’ structure, giving you the capital you need without putting strain on your monthly finances. You secure the loan with your current property and when the time comes, repay it in full, either when your house sale goes through or when your mortgage finance is in place.

It’s a flexible solution for would-be expats looking to relocate abroad:

• Retirees looking to sell their UK home once settled in the Sunshine Coast.
• Families planning to keep a UK base and rent out their old home, while getting an Australian mortgage.
• Remote workers keeping their options open while exploring Australian-based finance.
• Career professionals needing a few months stability to secure employment in Sydney.
• Expats who find the perfect home while renting in Melbourne.

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Get the Best Bridging Loan Deal with Clifton Private Finance

At Clifton Private Finance, we work with the full range of specialist UK bridging finance lenders to open the doors for you to secure the tailored financing you need.

Our team of finance experts has experience helping UK citizens to buy and renovate properties in other countries and can guide you through Australian foreign buyer requirements to smooth the process and help you secure the necessary funding.

Combining UK-based bridging with long-term Australian finance, or an eventual property sale, you will be in the best position to buy the home you have your sights set on.

We can:

• Explore the options available to you: Our bridging team and expat specialists will work together with you to form a comprehensive understanding of your circumstances. With access to the complete UK market of bridging loan lenders, we will compare products to help you make an informed decision that’s right for your needs.
• Minimise delays and setbacks: While we can’t help you with visas or the potential complexities regarding your move, we’ll make sure that the financing is done as efficiently as possible, checking paperwork and ensuring nothing will hamper a smooth bridging finance application.
• Support you through the process: From the first introductory call to when you’re settled in your new home, we’re here to provide peace of mind and appropriate help wherever we can.

If the sunshine and lifestyle of Australia is calling you, speak to an expat adviser at Clifton Private Finance. Book an appointment today and let us put in place the right funding to make it happen.

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