Michael, glad to hear the offers are rolling in. My partner lived in Singapore for some time and found the lack of green repressive. Though 15% tax shouldn't be sneezed at....and if you put a time limit of say 2 years on it, that might help make it more bearable. Sounds like if you want to ascend the mining industry tree, you will have to stay mobile.
Personally, I don't think you will ever regret time away from Sydney.
I am a Brisbane boy but lived in Sydney for most of my 20s (Vaucluse and Cremorne Pt). I loved the energy and the harbour, but the place is very 'Sydney' centric and close minded in a way Brisbane isn't. I think up here we accept we are not the centre of the universe, so are more open to new experience.
On where to live, have provided a map coloring the more desireable areas and offer the following.:
- firstly, people from Qld can't spell and are arrogant...(well you deserved that one)
- Of the shaded areas on the map, the Ascot, Clayfield, Hamilton area offers the best geographic advantage to your work. The good areas in Brisbane over the last 50 years have been this area and the western suburbs. The Ascot area is older and has many of Brisbane's finer colonial homes still on large lots. It was home to the mercantile class who owned warehouses along the Brisbane River. In the west, Chelmer (especially Laurel Avenue) is blue chip, with similar architecture. If I was to settle in the Western burbs, my preference would be the streets around Laurel Avenue, Chelmer, as they are on the train line, near the river, close to Indro Shopping Centre, and avoid much of the Moggill Rd congestion.
- the academic record of schools helps to orient. see the
list herewith. OPs are academic scores, 1 being the highest. the more 1-10s the stronger a school's academic focus and performance. though like anywhere, pursuit of OPs alone can lead to unbalanced perspective.
- the commute from Kenmore/FTP to Eagle Junction is 20 km, and will take 40-60 mins in peak hour. Moggill Rd and Coronation Drive (or Milton Rd) will catch you in city bound congestion, and once you get off the inner city bypass tunnel rd near Breakfast Creek, you will get caught on Kingsford Smith Dr in traffic heading out to the Gateway, airport, commecial areas. Leaving home at by 630am will cut travel time by 30-40%. Heading home, leaving after 6pm will save similar. 7-8.45am and 2.30pm-6pm are not pretty on your route.
- you want to keep in mind if you have to do a lot of flying, FTP won't offer an advantage.
- the western suburbs do not offer as convenient access to the Gateway Arterial, ergo the Sunshine and Gold Coasts as do other shaded areas on the map.
Summing Up:
- Western Suburbs
Pros
middle to upper middle in the burbs and acreages further out at Pullenvale and Brookfield.
close to University of Qld
several of the best private schools (Nudgee junior, BBC, St Aidans, Stuartholme, St Peters...)
Cons
no train line out towards Kenmore though Chelmer, Sherwood, Corinda has it.
Moggill Rd peak hour
Hilly
The further from the coast, the hotter the climate.
Lack of ethnic diversity
airport commute is unpredictable
poor range of restaurants in the mid ring
Ascot area:
pros
flatter than the western burbs
good schools (see list)
close to airport
close to work
train line
better range of restaurants, including Portside.
easy access to Gateway nad coasts.
arguably easier access to Brisbane's top two academic schools in city north, plus their playing fields are nearby.
Cons
elitism and arrogance a tad higher than Kenmore.
kingsford smith drive and sandgate rd congestion
smaller area.
not close to Uni of Qld.
denser residential area than many parts of the west.
Ultimately, it will be a matter of personality and personal feel for an area.