Moving house is always going to create a mix of excitement and stress, and moving interstate adds a new set of challenges. Whether for work, family or simply to experience something new, there are lots of reasons to switch states.
One of the most popular destinations for Aussies on the move is Brisbane. With its endless summer and plentiful beaches, there’s a good reason that Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities. With home prices still significantly more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne, there’s never been a better time to consider moving.
If you’re thinking of relocating from Melbourne to Brisbane, there are a few factors you’ll need to consider. As Melbourne's top interstate removalists, here is how to successfully make the move and all the details you’ll need to organise.
LIFE IN BRISBANE
So, you’re debating whether you should leave the rainy skies of Melbourne and relocate interstate to Brisbane. There’s a good reason that Brisbane has been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world - there’s brilliant weather, a blossoming arts scene and a more affordable cost of living. While you’re only moving interstate, life in Brisbane is different to Melbourne. We’ve listed what you should expect when it comes to life in Brisbane.
Climate
Hoping for sunny days ahead? Brisbane is the place for you! Just 71 km from the Gold Coast and a stone's throw away from the Sunshine Coast, the city averages around 280 days of sunshine a year and temperatures rarely drop below mild. You won’t be needing that puffer jacket and thermal undies once you’ve moved to Brisbane.
Transportation
Just like Melbourne, inner city Brisbane is easy to get around. Public transport options include the TransLink bus, train system, cabs and of course the infamous trams. In addition, Brisbane has an established system of well-maintained walkways and a bike rental system. If you aren’t living in the inner city, having access to a vehicle is recommended. Once you’ve moved, you’ll need to update your licence and vehicle registration to Brisbane.
The Culture, Shopping & Sights
You’ll be able to find an abundance of sights, shops and natural beauty throughout Brisbane. The city centre offers a stunning architectural mix of modern skyscrapers and historic government buildings from the Victorian era. Perhaps the most famous sight is the Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower, a unique structure that also serves as a museum. Just a short walk from the City Centre, you’ll find the South Bank and Howard Smith Wharves District. The South Bank lies across the Brisbane River and has been a big part of the artistic renaissance in Brisbane. This neighbourhood is home to art studios, and theatres as well as the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Arts and theatre. The area also includes Streets Beach, an artificial beach right in the centre of the city.
The Howard Smith Wharves District, meanwhile, is set to the east of the city centre and offers a look at Brisbane’s past and future. These historic wharves were once home to commercial vessels from around the world. Today, the Howard Smith Wharves Precinct is a major commercial hub. You’ll be able to stop for dinner or drinks along the boardwalk and take in incredible views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge.
Housing
When it comes to choosing where to live, Brisbane has a range of different options. Fortitude Valley is renowned for its charming boutiques and restaurants, this inner suburb lies a mere 25-minute walk from the downtown business district. Kangaroo Point, meanwhile, is even closer and sits directly across from Brisbane City Centre. However, if you are wanting to rent or buy in Brisbane you’ll find that the closer to the city centre and the river, the more expensive it will be.
A huge draw card for Melburians wanting to relocate to Brisbane is how much more affordable it is in comparison to the South. According to Budget Direct, renting a three bedroom apartment in the city centre in Brisbane is cheaper on average than in Melbourne at $3,017 compared to $3,168.
If you are wanting to purchase a home in Brisbane, you’ll also find that it is more affordable than Melbourne. The average median price for a home in Brisbane is approximately $749,200, which is cheaper than the average Melbourne price of around $805,200. While housing prices in Melbourne are dropping, they are rising slightly in Brisbane. Clearly, the secret of Brisbane’s incredible livability is out.
THE COST OF MOVING
Now that you have decided that moving from Melbourne to Brisbane is the right choice for you, it’s time to begin organising your relocation! While an interstate move does require some planning and organisation to successfully facilitate, it’s easy if you have the right experience and training. As professional movers, we’ve helped thousands of Melbourians relocate to Brisbane efficiently. Here are our expert tips on preparing for your move.
Start packing early
As you prepare for your move, it’s easy to get distracted planning your new life in Brisbane. However, packing last minute can add additional stress as you panic to get everything ready to move. A rushed packing job can also lead to items becoming misplaced, damaged or even broken during the chaos of the move. That's why we recommend getting started on your packing as early as possible. Go room by room, and attempt to at least pack something every day.
The cost of packing can’t just be measured in the number of hours you commit to it. You’ll also need to purchase high-quality storage and packing material that will last for the long drive from Melbourne to Brisbane. That includes using reinforced containers, rather than cardboard boxes, for fragile or heavy belongings. Can’t bare handle the task yourself? Using a professional packing service is an easy and efficient way to ensure that all your belongings and furniture are safely packed for their journey to Brisbane. They can also provide you with the industry standard packing materials at competitive prices if you’d rather pack your belongings yourself.
Consider using storage
If your new house isn’t going to be move-in ready, or if you’re looking to handle the move-in process piecemeal, you’ll need a place to store some or all of your stuff. Be sure to factor in the costs of renting a storage space, whether in the form of a portable unit or at a storage facility. Most businesses tend to only offer long-term storage so ensure that you go with a storage provider who offers both short and long-term storage like Allied. Often longer term storage is a better rate than short term, so if possible alter your plans to receive the best price.
Save with insurance
A lot can happen during the moving process. Even if you and your removalist team are extraordinarily careful, using the right packing materials and taking safety precautions, your belongings could still be broken or stolen. Worse yet, someone could get badly hurt. In these worst scenarios, you could be facing more than annoyance and disappointment, you could also have to pay significant amounts to replace and repair your precious items. Make sure your belongings are properly covered throughout the move with relocation insurance. If you’re working with an interstate removalist, be sure that they’re backed by a quality assurance policy.
Moving with a car
If you're not working with a removalist service, you’ll need to provide your own truck to move all of your belongings. With many do-it-yourself rentals setting their rates based on the number of miles you drive, a trip from Melbourne to Brisbane can quickly add up in cost. Besides driving your moving van, you’ll also need to call in assistance for any car transport, trailer, boat or caravan to its final destination. Luckily, in addition to more traditional removalist services, Allied offers vehicle transport for interstate moves. They cost-effectively and efficiently relocate your vehicle from Melbourne to Brisbane.
DIY vs Professional Removalists
Every person moving is faced with the classic dilemma - to use professional movers or not. While many people think it’s cheaper to move by themselves, it can actually be more worthwhile to hire professional removalists in the long run. When you factor in all the costs of petrol, packing materials, the time taken to pack and move yourself (including taking time off work), renting a truck or van, and any other incidental expenses, it is more cost-effective and time-saving to use professional movers. Using a removalist company will also be able to move more efficiently due to their experience, high level of training and having the right equipment.
Using a removalist with multiple services is also a great way to save as they can give you a more competitive deal compared to using numerous service providers. At the end of the day, getting the highest quality work for the lowest price will always be amongst an important factor to consider. Working with the cheapest removalists available also comes with risks. Inexperienced removalists have a higher likelihood of losing or damaging your belongings. If the quality of work is shoddy, the cheapest option may actually end up costing you more.
Book your move today!
If everything listed above sounds like a lot, don’t worry! You don’t have to be alone throughout the moving process. The team at Allied is here to make your move to Brisbane as seamless and stress free as possible!
Our experienced removalists work throughout Australia and can take care of fragile items, heavy items, transport, storage of goods and insurance needs, no matter how far the interstate journey. That gives you more time to focus on your work responsibilities and personal life during this time of transition. Pick the careful movers and get a competitive quote with Allied today!