Australia still draws British expats to its cities

Australia has always been a major attraction for Britons looking to a new job overseas or a retirement amid superb natural beauty.

An all-time British favourite for retirement, career advancement or literally any other reason, Australia still offers superb weather, remarkably beautiful landscapes, glorious beaches and an amazing abundance of wildlife. Its quality of life is one of the highest on the planet, life expectancy is long and stress is rare. The only problem nowadays is that it’s an expensive country in which to live, meaning financial preparations must be carefully made.

Popular cities include vibrant, multicultural Sydney, complete with its opera house, Bondi Beach, good public transport, excellent healthcare and established expat communities. Admittedly, it’s an expensive city, as are the majority of the world’s capitals, but expat professional salary levels are able to cope. Rental costs depend on location within the conurbation, with studio apartments at around AU$1700 monthly.

Queensland’s capital Brisbane has a much lower cost of living than either Sydney or Melbourne and is just 30 minutes’ drive from the world-famous Gold Coast. Its laid-back vibe is perfect for families as well as retirees, and suburban rents are affordable. For workers, average salaries are around AU$60,000. Melbourne is a beautiful city, boasting historic architecture, lots of public parks and beautifully tended gardens. It’s Australia’s sporting capital, and boasts tiny European-style lanes crammed with bars, cafes and restaurants. As regards the cost of living, it’s less expensive than Sydney, with average salaries slightly higher than in Queensland.