I wonder if Sydney’s growth is expected to remain more stagnant than Melbourne’s for some time because Sydney is more dependent on immigration (which there’s going to be virtually none of for a few years) + the possibility that more residents of Sydney are leaving for other places compared to how things are in Melbourne?
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I know Melbourne has a high immigration from interstate, but I would have thought this would have slowed down too.
What about towns like Meadows and Macclesfield? They are also quite cool being 300 or so m above sea level, and get the southern sea breezes.
Not a fan of the Adelaide Hills because of the fire risk. It would be there in Meadows and Macclesfield too, but not quite as extreme.
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Both are very nice towns. But they aren’t exactly close to the beach if that is what you are looking for. Meadows has some nice markets. Maccy is quite close to little hubs like mt barker but is really quiet.
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I’m not fussed about the beach (that’s why I live in Bungendore) but I want much cooler summers than Adelaide city if I did move there. Macclesfield or Meadows would suit me well; I like the quiet.
There is a weather station at Kuitpo Forest which is a good proxy for Meadows; summer temps can be 5C or more cooler than Adelaide.
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Well if it is cool you are looking for both are great ideas as they are surrounded by trees and natural shade. I really like Meadows. It has a great bakery and some cute little cafes. Maccy isn’t my favourite place. I haven’t really even been through there in over 5 years. Meadows is also great because it is so close to the city and other hubs like Marion, Glenelg and even Adelaide. Mt Barker is also only a short drive as well.
Interstate migration into Victoria is at a standstill at the moment - I’ve read reports recently where they expect a net loss for interstate migration in the short term. Not sure whether it will bounce back or not. Melbourne is very dependent on international migration for growth.
Mind you I’ve heard the same for Sydney - a net interstate migration loss in the coming years.
There are two major things Melbourne has going for it in terms of population growth over Sydney.
- Lower housing prices.
- More available land - Sydney has pretty much reached the limits where it can grow due to the terrain/ocean. Melbourne still has land particularly to the west to expand into.
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Its also has jobs opportunities and offers a good lifestyle… as for the weather, it can grow on you overtime.
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Weather is much better in Melbourne than Sydney, despite the fluctuations. There isn’t much of a climate penalty for living in the western suburbs either (unlike Sydney). Western Melbourne is a little warmer and drier than the east but it’s not a deal breaker.
If I was to move to around Melbourne, it would be either Trentham (coldest town in VIC) or Ballan/Gordon, all of which are cooler and receive some snowfall.
My preference in terms of lifestyle would be to remain in Canberra, though. It’s closer to family and friends also.
Meadows sounds like a nice place; if I make it to SA next year I’ll probably base myself there. Will also do Kangaroo Island etc. as well.
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I think it comes down to the individual. If you like seasonal weather, Winter, Spring, Autumn and Summer then Melbourne is your pic. If you like a consistent warmer climate and beach weather, then Sydney is a winner
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I agree I couldn’t live in Sydney because I enjoy the cold weather. But I have friends who just love that.
Am I a complete weirdo for thinking that Sydney’s Winter weather is too cold AND that Sydney’s Summer weather is too hot?
If anyone was to ask me what is the optimum time of year to visit Sydney, I’d probably say Spring and Autumn (specifically October and April of those respective seasons) without hesitation.
Many people think that about Canberra, though I love the winters here: crisp and mainly sunny. Summers are hotter than I’d prefer but at least the mornings and evenings are mostly nice. The rest of the year is near perfect.
Sydney’s winters might be too cold for a heat lover, but most heat lovers would find the summers either agreeable or even too cool. A cold lover like myself finds both summers and winters too warm. So I suspect you’re in the minority! The amplitude of Sydney is pretty narrow, going from 17 in July to 27-30 in summer depending on the suburb.
Late autumn and late winter are the sunniest coolest times of year in Sydney; the former can be marred by hazard reduction smoke, though. If it wasn’t for the smoke then May would win hands down as the best month to visit Sydney and coastal NSW.
Yeah haha. I love going to Sydney in the winter. It is such a nice change from the cold Melbourne weather. I hate visiting Sydney from November-March.
I was in Canberra on the Australia Day weekend a few years ago and it was the worst heat i have ever felt. There is no chance I would visit again in the summer.
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I’m happy with our Sydney/Newcastle weather anytime pretty much from mid March to mid December… it’s the humidity, hot westerlies and searing heat (over 35 degrees) that get me… We have maybe 30-40 of these days in total per year?
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Yes January can be pretty ordinary, but it’s like that in many parts of the country. The thing that might have made it feel worse than Adelaide is the very intense sun here. Even by 8:30 AM it’s pretty intense right now.
Canberra city can also be pretty airless in summer, further exacerbating the feel of the heat. Bungendore is both breezier and a fair bit cooler, especially in the evenings.
I dislike humidity though; in dry heat like Canberra’s I feel much better. It has to get over 35 before I really feel it, at least in the shade.
I haven’t had to switch on the A/C or even a fan so far; good luck with that in Sydney, Adelaide or even Melbourne. The reason for this is our cool overnight temps. Simply close up during the day and open everything at night. Extremely hot nights such as what Adelaide experiences are extremely rare in Canberra.
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I agree it’s down to the individual. Even though I love Brisbane weather for 9 months of the year I think Sydney has the best overall climate in Australia - for me anyway.
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Lol my AC has been on 24/7 for over a week here in Brisbane and I started using it in October on and off. We haven’t had a night below 22 or so in weeks and very high humidity. Last couple of nights have veen 25+ minimums with 80% humidity giving an apparent temp over 30. Anyway we have a cool change tomorrow back down to high 20s for a few days.
BTW Ipswich has already had a couple of 40 degree days and Gatton near Ipswich was 43.5 on Monday.
Anyway apart from November to March I do love Brisbane 
It’s just the humidity in summer that sucks. Doesn’t stop me doing anything though, still cycle to work etc.
I spent a couple of years in Sydney and loved the weather. Found the summers lovely by comparison - as long as you live in the eastern half anyway. I found the winters cooler and wetter than Brisbane winter but still not too bad.
I also spent 6 months or so in Melbourne and found it too cold to jog or cycle even in October. Horses for courses I guess 
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The mean annual temperature in Brisbane is around 21C; Perth 19C; Sydney 18C; Adelaide 17C; Melbourne 15C; Canberra 13C and Hobart 12C. Bungendore and Launceston are about the same at 12.5C.
Of course this masks seasonal differences (Perth and Sydney have vastly different climates despite a similar annual mean) but gives you an overall picture of how warm your city is.
The most ‘agreeable’ city for the average person is possibly Sydney, given that energy for heating and cooling uses 18C as the ‘base’ 24 hour temperature where neither heating or cooling is required. The most comfortable part of Sydney is of course right on the coast…where most people can’t afford to live. I would argue Adelaide is possibly more comfortable due to lower humidity, but it loses points for its horrendous heatwaves. The gong might just go to an affordable coastal part of Adelaide such as Sellicks Beach. The outer coastal suburbs of Perth such as Two Rocks would also be right up there.
I am not the average person and I prefer colder annual average temperatures. Would happily live somewhere with an annual mean around 9-10 such as Toronto or the northern UK.
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