It can be a bit of a culture shock moving to Tasmania. The people are different, the pace of life is different, the things that are important to people are different, the weather is different, the feeling is different. Tim settled in down here much easier than me. It did take me a while to get used to how things are done here and just get over it and go with the flow.
One thing that you’ll learn pretty quickly is that there is a certain anonymity to living in Sydney. Tasmania is a very small place. I’ve listed the population comparisons a couple of times before and I’ll do it again:
- Population of Sydney (June 2007) - 4.3 million
- Population of Newcastle (NSW’s second largest city) (June 2007) - 523,662
- Population of Melbourne (June 2010) – 4.0 million
- Population of Victoria (June 2010) – 5.5 million
- Population of Tasmania (June 2010) - 507,626 (yes, that’s only five hundred and seven thousand people in the entire state!)
- Population of Hobart (June 2009) – 212,019 (and that’s only two hundred and twelve thousand people in the capital city)
- Population of Launceston (June 2008) – 103,325 (that’s just one hundred and three thousand people in the state’s second largest city)
Everyone seems to know everyone else, either growing up through childhood or through family connections. There is never more than 2 or 3 degrees of separation, particularly if you live in a small town. And with such a small population there are some disadvantages (I use that term loosely) to living here – for example, please don’t expect multi-level Westfields, please don’t expect high-end fashion stores, please don’t expect there to be restaurants to be open until very late, please don’t expect a Maccas on every corner (at last count there were only 14 Maccas throughout the whole of Tasmania compared with 214 throughout the whole of NSW), please don’t expect superstars to be putting on concerts here, please don’t expect to have the same lifestyle.
If you want to live in a place where you can live a little slower, have less people around, less traffic, perhaps live mortgage free (or with a small mortgage), live on a larger block, have some pets, then you’ll enjoy your time here. It’s not all going to be easy, and sometimes it will be a pain in the bum that you can’t get the exact same equivalent of what you used to have in Sydney. Sometimes you will be home sick, sometimes you will wonder if you’ve made the right decision, but after a while you just kind of settle into a new kind of normal.
One other thing I have noticed is that people are (for the most part) very polite down here. When I worked in Hobart I found that the people that I worked with didn’t speak up for themselves like we used to do in Sydney. I get the feeling that it wasn’t just that particular workplace that I worked at. I think that people value their jobs a lot more here in Tasmania (which is understandable) and they are less likely to complain if they feel that something’s not right.
Oh, and Tasmania is not a wealthy state. In fact, the state government is in financial straits and as a result is cutting back on public services such as health and police and at one stage last year was going to close schools on a grand scale (public outrage forced the government not to go ahead with the mass closures). The unemployment rate here is (at last count) 7.7%, compared with 5.1% as the national average. The forestry industry, which at one stage employed a very healthy percentage of the State’s male population, has all but collapsed leaving many of those people without jobs. Re-training seems the only option, but re-training in what other industries I’m not sure. According to a recent Mercury article that I read, one third of the population of Tasmania receives some form of Centrelink assistance, so it’s not all roses down here for many people.
Another big thing is of course the weather – it is cooler here in winter than it is in other parts of Australia during winter. Although it’s nowhere near as cold as a North American or European winter, you will need a couple of winters to adjust. If you’re like me and you feel the cold, why not get right into the winter spirit and get rugged up with a scarf, comfy ugg boots, a coat, a pair of gloves and a beanie (I practically live in my beanie during winter!). You may be very miserable if you get around in only a jumper and jeans during winter!
I moved over from Perth to the Huon Valley with the family a couple of years ago and I believe you’ve completely hit the nail on the head.
Trying to establish some roots in a small town is extremely difficult. With everyone knowing everyone else, the mentality of many people is to not interact with you. This changes if you can get a job locally and people realise that you are a decent person just like everyone else is. But due to this and from experience, there is a very good chance that your group of friends once settling will also be non-Tasmanians. This grouping adds to the exclusion between Tasmanians and non-locals, which I find ridiculous.
The number 1 worry I have found about Tasmania since moving is the culture. Like you said you can live slower once you move here, but unfortunately Tasmanians have been doing this for 100+ years and it has finally bitten them on the bum. The major culture shock experienced by moving from Perth is the lack of hunger for economic success. It is almost like Tasmanians do not want the benefits of living in a prosperous state and most are happy with the bare essentials.
As a result of this forestry and mining are under utilised, which is a big concern when there are not many other job sectors in Tasmania. Unfortunately by having the oldest population Tasmanians are just going to get older, duh. But if no action is taken the economic situation is going to get worse.
From this culture there is also a culture created for teenagers not too perform at school or too not go at all. Tasmania has the lowest % of people doing years 11+12 in the country which is also due to the ridiculous ‘college’ school system that they use.
“Although it’s nowhere near as cold as a North American or European winter..” well it’s certainly cold enough for me. I don’t feel quite as bad amount the temp when I see Melbourne which is usually quite similar in the winter. The summer’s so far haven’t been a whole lot better though, that one day of 40C was cherished.
I hope you do not think I am Tasmania bashing because these these are my honest opinions. I suppose I’m a city guy in a country state and not much will change until there are more city people.
Thankyou both for the different views of living in Tassie. We are researching atm about moving to Launceston. We currently live in Townsville, North Tropical QLD. We are looking for a country life to slow down for us and our 3boys, as we live life basically trying to keep our eye simple on a regular basis with a veggie patch in the back, birds n large run for our dog. After reading your posts and the amount of research I’ve done so far it sounds like n looks like tassie is the country were looking for, but still have a touch of city there aswell.
We are loving the population numbers :) In Townsville atm I am freezing, we have lived here for 5years and this is the coldest winter yet, but I dare say that tassie will be like ice compared to up here n I do remember when we first moved here that the heat was a killer for the first 2years n now its nothing….hahaha…
thankyou for sharing your thoughts n opinions, we have been reading your blog for a few days now and it is very imformative and helpful. :) :)
Don’t worry. You get used to the weather and after a year or so you’ll hardly notice the cold.
As for culture, I have to agree with James.
The best advice I can offer to do some research before you settle to find out if there are any groups or associations for people with similar interests to you. For example, if you love reading, find out where the nearest library or bookshop is. Can you join a book club or reading group? If you’re a golf, tennis or gym enthusiast, where are the nearest facilities? If you like dining out, are there restaurants or cafes – and do they stay open over winter?. If you can’t find many examples of other people doing the kind of things that you like to do, it might be an indication that the community you’re moving to isn’t a great fit for you.
The same thing applies in Hobart on a suburb level. Do you really want to live in the rural outskirts if your passions are creative arts and culture?
We made some mistakes before we ‘got it right for us’ and settled on West Hobart, which is quite a welcoming community, but even then we had to be very proactive.
Hi Honoria,
thankyou so much for your advise, I am over the moon with excitment now. We are involved in a few clubs up here. We breed budgies and due to quarantine policy’s are selling all our birds & accessories atm (sold half already) and yes there is a Budgerigar club/s in tassie…wooohooo. This has been really sad too sell my birds, they are like my 4th children, but now I know there is the same in Launceston & whole of tassie the first thing I will want to do is go buy some more….lol
Have also found Tassie Rockers, n had a chat with one of the committee members. So woooohooo we get to meet new budgie breeders and Rock’n\'Roll dancers woooohoooo, so excited, is like the cherry on the top.
Have done lots more research since my last post, Hubby made a few phone calls and has got work in Launceston, my heart is soooo in love with Launceston, I assume when I get there I will be even more gobsmacked than what I am now. We as of yesterday now have dates, we leave Townsville on 23rd September drive to Melbourne n jump on the Spirit of Tasmania on the 26th. All that has to be done now is get rental accomodation and then organise our oldest boys high school for the final term and our toddlers Kindergarten, as schools down there are zoned aswell, so will determine what suburb we live in as to what schools our kids can go to. We have our oldest boy organised for College next year.
I am thinking Waverly, Trevally, Riverside. Have been advised to stay away from Ravenswood. We live on the outskirts of Townsville and are wanting to follow suit, but I assume that it will take 6-12months to find the right spot/suburb for us, so were trying not to be greatly fussy, but making sure we go on Google Earth when we see a house were intersted in so we can check out the street & neighbourhood at street view first. Hubby had his heart set on an old victorian gothic like looking house until we went on Google Earth and saw that it was on the West Tamar Road which has 4 lanes….NO NO NO!! Internet is amazing, wow how did people move to new lands before the internet was invented n all they had was word of mouth & chinese wispers, well they were the days when a handshake meant a handshake with trust & respect..
What high & Primary schools/ suburbs in Lauceston would you reccomend?
Oh I so cant wait to go the the city park in Launceston n show the monkeys to my boys and for my toddler to ride the Thomas the Tank train….so cute.
Cheers Rhiannon
That is wonderful news, Rhiannon!
Launceston is one of my favourite places and it sounds like you are on the right track to make friends when you arrive. Having work lined up in advance makes things even better. I hope you both LOVE it.
Honoria
Just got back from a reconnaissance mission to Launceston and we are so excited about what we have learned. West Launceston has the most wonderful views and old character homes. This is our favourite spot however, I am thinking that we will rent a place before purchasing because we also really like some parts of Newstead and South Launceston. Initially I was thinking Trevallyn would be the ideal spot, but it still seems too far from the CBD, and a bit mazy, although it is very close to the Gorge. I would hate to make a mistake with that amount of money.Some real estate further out like Kings Meadow and Propect are cheaper, but we love the idea of being able to walk into town. This trip just reinforced all the reasons why we are making the move especially as we arrived in filthy, crowded, angry, smelly Sydney…has become a nightmare!
Hi There,
I have just literally “stumbled” across this blog!! So great!! We, (myself, husband, and 3 young boys) have finally bitten the bullet and decided that after this Chrissy, we will be making the move over there to beautiful Tasmania. I have always loved it, as my husband has from a very young age…….and in recent years have holidayed over there with the boys for overall, many weeks. We have decided that towns such as Sheffield, Deloraine, Mole Creek, and their surrounding areas will be where we want to settle. I am presently contacting Primary schools etc……all so daunting!!
We already live in a beautiful part of Victoria, Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland, but feel that Tassie is the “bees knees”.
I am definitley going to be going through this blog to see if I can get any hints etc…..anyone know anything about the schools in that area or any views would be much appreciated. Thanks again, have a great day, Kellie :))
Kellie The prospect of moving is so exciting. I have to wait until the end of the year as well as I am planning to teach (primary) 2013. My partner has spent many years in the Mole Creek area. Depending on what your needs are, it is very isolated, the primary school is closing after 2012 (one of at least 25 closing due to poor numbers) much colder due to being as base of mountains, which means greater heating costs for 9mths of the year. I would consider Deloraine preferably as it is more centrally located and I have heard that the high school is in good shape. Have you looked at Westbury? It has a nice feel to it being still very rural. Is relatively close to Launceston (30klm) which offers more choice for the boys later , …..apart from that ….Westbury has the best bakery in Tasmania!! My son is 16 so for us the bigger centre is right for us. Will you be renting first? Cheers
Hi again Dianne,
forgot to say…yes we will probably rent at first……whilst finding our “dream place”……and as I read your post out to my husband he remarked, “has she tried the Longford Bakery”……it always goes back to food !!
Cheers,
Kellie :))
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for your post and “heads up” on Mole Creek, I was only speaking to them last week and it wasn’t mentioned, what a shame. Deloraine does look good and is not off the cards, but a lot larger than the school that the boys go to now with around 170 students, my eldest is in Grade 2 and younger twins in Prep this year, I would hate to “shell shock” them in a “big’ school. Believe it or not I just recieved the info pack from Westbury yesterday and it does look good….so I suppose in the long run, depending on where we settle although that I think will also be made on in regards to the schools. I have spoken to a couple of teachers and neither have any connections with Tassie at all, so it’s great to hear from the teacher side of things……Will you be teaching at Westbury? anyway we go over for a month in sept, so will do the rounds then. Thanks so much for your post….I think I will hanging around here for a while….looks like so many experiences to read about.
Cheers, kellie.
Kellie Check this website. Westbury Primary has a great ranking!
http://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/tas/tas_top_primary_schools.aspx
I would be checking out the staff demographics. I believe that a school with new ish graduate teachers is much more progressive. Fresh grads have modern methods which are better for our young people. For too long, tired old teachers with tired old routines sit for too long in schools.
I noticed another comment that James made about the parochial nature of some Tasmanians. In some of the small communities, there is a phenomenon of us and the blow-ins which makes it difficult for assimilation into the community.
I cannot leave the real estate.com site !! I reckon I could tell you the location of every house for sale! This is a good time to make the break. I wish I had moved when my kids were younger to really suck up the goodness.
I will be happy to teach anywhere around Launceston. Perhaps Westbury is a bit out of the way. I have heard that relief teaching is the only way to start, which will be fine with me! Do you guys have work to go to? cheers Jo
Hi Joanne……thanks, more to ponder on..and me too, live on the real estate sites also! Hubby has a fishing trawler here in Lakes, he is semi retired….and has an “older” son from a previous marriage, running the boat now, Wayne is more admin side, meetings with fisheries etc…”often in Hobart!!”….so will manage from Tassie still hence still an income…..he woould love to “potter” as he says with trout whether ponds etc….it’s his dream…..and he deserves it!! Me, I’m an Rn…work in Aged care these days….casual, but have already sussed this out…basically “when can you start??”…so no issues really there, we are lucky! We are also toying with the idea of an acoomodation business, more low key with self contained cabins??etc…. so yes, the world is our oyster, I suppose a bit exciting not having plans in concrete…..we are trying to change ourselves into looking out of the square so to speak……over the past 2 years or so….there have been a lot of losses, and scares and we are waking up to the fact that life is too bloody short!!…….Hence, the big move……..
cheers, Kellie :))
Hi Me again,
Just wondering that if you that have already made the move, or are about to have taken all of your furniture over with you? There are times when I think that apart from sentimental items, it would be easier to leave the bulk of it behind and start afresh…..any ideas, comments would be much appreciated…..
Kellie.
Hi Kellie,
I’d suggest doing a quick look online at how much it would cost you to replace things – and transport anything that would be expensive to replace. We spent almost $10,000 replacing white-goods, which would not have cost that much to move over. It’s probably not worth bringing old stuff that you’re not especially attached to either.
Gumtree is a good source of second hand items when you arrive, and many people sell up before leaving Tas so you can pick up good quality things at low cost.
Good Luck!!!
Hi Honoria,
thanks for your post……definitely has us thinking. I think when you finally start to look around and realise the costs to move over, we have looked at other options, such as leaving heaps behind. Will know more I suppose after a trip over there in Sept when we plan to pre-organise “the move”……
cheers,
Kellie.
Hi Sara,
If you put yourself out there then you will make friends.
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I think you are right. Having moved around a bit in the past I know it can be very hard to make friends and settle into a new place. No matter how friendly the locals may be they generally don’t fall over themselves to beat a track to your front door. You have to get out there and meet them and become a part of your new community…..can’t wait. Things moving slowly here ( as always) be I can see the move in sight!!!
Best Wishes,
Dianne