In summary, most skilled migrants reported that they enjoyed living in regional communities which they perceived as quiet, friendly, relaxed, safe, easy-going and accepting. For some, links to family and members of their ethnic community living in the region gave a sense of social connectedness. However, a minority expressed concern over poor public and community facilities, and for some their reported experience was one of boredom, lack of friendship and sense of isolation. Experiences - Cost of Living A total of 58 comments were recorded concerning the cost of living in regional areas. Most of these (67%) were comments on the high cost of living in regional areas, and in particular the high cost of housing. Representative comments included: are high and so are properties, but this is a mining town, and I suppose that's “Rentals the way mining towns are” good, but housing price has been increased “Initially dramatically” “… There is shortage in housing but, its overpriced whether car service or supermarkets. Whoever comes has to pay premium for accommodation. People in Perth are shocked. $500 per wk to rent at caravan park. People can't afford to come here” rental was the only expensive factor. Finding accommodations were also “The difficult” “They are off the record, totally ridiculous, $1500 rent a week” quite high, especially with “It's accommodation” rent way too much for “Too expensive, namely nothing” expensive /rent is very high/the price to buy a house is “Very ridiculous”. A number of concerns were also raised concerning the cost of groceries, vegetables, fuel and airfares. In contrast, a smaller group of skilled migrants stated that the cost of living was comparable with or cheaper than other places, both within Australia and their home country: than “Cheaper Melbourne” to “Similar Ipswich” general cheaper than the “In it’s UK”
In summary, most skilled migrants reported that they enjoyed living in regional communities which they perceived as quiet, friendly, relaxed, safe, easy-going and accepting. For some, links to family and members of their ethnic community living in the region gave a sense of social connectedness. However, a minority expressed concern over poor public and community facilities, and for some their reported experience was one of boredom, lack of friendship and sense of isolation. Experiences - Cost of Living A total of 58 comments were recorded concerning the cost of living in regional areas. Most of these (67%) were comments on the high cost of living in regional areas, and in particular the high cost of housing. Representative comments included: “Rentals are high and so are properties, but this is a mining town, and I suppose that's the way mining towns are” “Initially good, but housing price has been increased dramatically” “… There is shortage in housing but, its overpriced whether car service or supermarkets. Whoever comes has to pay premium for accommodation. People in Perth are shocked. $500 per wk to rent at caravan park. People can't afford to come here” “The rental was the only expensive factor. Finding accommodations were also difficult” “They are off the record, totally ridiculous, $1500 rent a week” “It's quite high, especially with accommodation” “Too expensive, namely rent way too much for nothing” “Very expensive /rent is very high/the price to buy a house is ridiculous”. A number of concerns were also raised concerning the cost of groceries, vegetables, fuel and airfares. In contrast, a smaller group of skilled migrants stated that the cost of living was comparable with or cheaper than other places, both within Australia and their home country: “Cheaper than Melbourne” “Similar to Ipswich” “In general it’s cheaper than the UK”
factors-influence-skilled-migrants-locating-regional-areas_access.docx