Shipping VS shopping:  Should you ship your belongings or buy new goods when relocating globally?

Shipping VS shopping: Should you ship your belongings or buy new goods when relocating globally?

When moving country, there are thousands of things to keep track of and get done before the big move. One of the questions we are asked most frequently is whether to ship all the furniture and other personal items, or to buy new things locally once you have arrived.

There is no simple answer to this question. There are pros and cons to both options. Depending on where you are moving to and from, the cost of shipping all of the contents of your home might be higher than the cost of selling your existing belongings and buying new goods locally. In other cases, it might be more affordable and sensible to invest in reliable shipping services. If your move is short term, is it maybe more cost effective to pay for storage at your point of origin and rent furniture at your destination?

If you have a lot of sentimental items, it’s probably going to make you happier to relocate your things to your new home, but if you have no emotional attachments to items then maybe jump online at check out the furniture prices where you are going. You also need to take into account will you be renting for a while, or buying a home straight away so do you maybe need short term furniture before you buy and furnish your dream home. The destination your are heading to also needs to be considered, what are stock levels like there, will it take 16 weeks to get a new couch delivered due to supply chain issues in that country, or are all household items readily available? Sometimes its easier to run through your options with your relocation agent to make sure you pick the best choice suited to your specific circumstances.

Global shipping services are known to be a little difficult to navigate at the moment. The impact of Covid-19 on supply chains coupled with previous canal backlogs and the Russia-Ukraine war’s disruption of the shipping and air freight industry, has driven the cost of shipping through the roof. So, what is the best option for you when relocating?

Let’s take a look at the pros, cons and costs of transporting your goods locally versus buying locally.

Pros: Shipping VS Shopping

Let’s start with the biggest advantages of shipping your personal items when emigrating:

  • Moving to a new country can be a scary and overwhelming experience. The comfort of having your familiar furniture and home goods around you once you move into your new living space can help some feel at home. If you already own a fully furnished house’s worth of belongings, why give that all up?
  • If you ship your personal goods with the help of a professional relocation company, you can rest assured that you will have everything you need as soon as you move into your new home. Not having to buy everything new can save you a lot of time, money and effort.
  • Shipping your personal belongings might save you money in the long run, especially when it comes to more expensive items such as electrical goods. Selling your trusty washing machine, stove and television may seem like the easiest option at the time, but it is unlikely that the money you’ll get in your pocket from selling these items will cover the cost of buying new high-quality items once you move into your new home.

Now for the biggest advantages of selling your belongings and buying new goods upon arrival:

  • Quick fix. Selling your belongings is a quick and easy way to lessen the load of things that need to be moved. As a bonus, the money you make from selling your stuff can go towards the costs to purchase the things you need for your new home.
  • New opportunities. If you’re not feeling particularly sentimental about your furniture, selling your home goods might be just what you need to get a fresh start in your new home. Maybe you’ve always wanted to invest in new furniture, or maybe you feel cluttered by the number of things you’ve hoarded over the years. This is your chance to flip to a new page!
  • If you don’t have to accommodate a house full of furniture, you have a lot more freedom as to where you choose to stay in your new country of residence. Perhaps you don’t want to buy a house immediately, and you want to rent for a while to get a feel for the place. If you don’t have a container full of personal items following you around, you can choose to stay in rentals or other short-term accommodation options until you are ready to start building your own nest.

Cons: Shipping VS Shopping

To flip the coin, let’s look at some of the disadvantages to consider when deciding between shipping and shopping. First up, the cons of international shipping:

  • Customs and travel requirements. There are plenty of technical requirements to keep in mind when shipping your personal goods overseas. Certain items may not be allowed to leave or enter certain countries. Luckily, these headaches can all be avoided by working with a reliable and reputable moving company.
  • Some of your electrical items may not work in your new country of residence. For one, different countries make use of different electrical outlets. While you can pay an electrician to change the plugs on your items, this can be overly expensive and you run the risk of having troubles in the future, for example not being able to get your appliances serviced or fixed should they break.
  • Yes, we know that the cost of shipping was also on the pros list! Depending on your moving company, the country of origin and destination, and the size and weight of your goods, the cost of international shipping can be steep. In most cases, however, you pay for the space occupied in the shipping container instead of the weight of the goods. You can therefore save a lot of money by being strategic with which items you ship and enlisting professional services to help you maximise packing space.

On to the disadvantages of shopping for new items locally:

  • Plenty of big expenses. Firstly, buying everything new can be heavy on your pocket. Again, to make the best decision for your situation, you’ll need to carefully compare the cost of shipping with the cost of shopping for new stuff. While shipping can be an expensive route to go down, you have no guarantee that refurnishing your house at local rates won’t be even more expensive.
  • Time and effort. Buying new items in your new country of residence. If you are unfamiliar with the local retail market, it can be overwhelming to find good quality furniture and home goods at affordable prices. Plus, while you are shopping for new items, you’ll need to put up with living in the chaos of a half-furnished house.

The cost of international shipping

Right now, international shipping rates are high. Between the coronavirus pandemic’s ongoing effects on global supply chains, the shortage in global shipping containers and the delays in major shipping ports around the world, international shipping services are a little different from usual. Further to this, the cost of international shipping can range widely depending on a range of factors, including the volume or weight of the goods, the type of transport, the distance of the journey, the customs duties and service charges of the destination port, and the time of year. Additional shipping costs such as container inspection fees, shipping container insurance, general rate increase (GRI), inland delivery charges and quarantine fees must also be taken into consideration.

The cost of international shipping can vary widely. Depending on the volume of goods you want to ship, you could benefit from opting for a part-load shipment, which means that you share the space of a single container with other clients instead of paying for the use of an entire container. Then, you also need to choose between sea freight and air freight shipping. Whereas sea freight shipping offers a lower cost with a lower level of carbon emissions, air freight shipping is much faster.

At the end of the day, your budget, moving timeline and personal preferences will dictate whether you should ship your personal belongings or sell your items and buy new things for your house upon arrival. The list of factors to consider is long, but, with the right support, you can take all the stress out of your global relocation journey!

Ready to move to a new country?
Reach out to Claymore Thistle today to schedule a call
 for a wide range of global relocation services.

Global relocation services: everything you need to know about moving to a new country

Global relocation services: everything you need to know about moving to a new country

Are you thinking of moving to a foreign country? Relocating internationally is a big change and requires months of careful planning — applying for the right visas and work permits, deciding on the right city or suburb to live in, finding accommodation that suits your needs and budget, arranging for all your belongings to be shipped to your new home… The long to-do list can easily cause your anxiety levels to skyrocket. But, if you have the right support, making the move to a new country can be the most exciting adventure you’ve ever embarked on!

Whether you are moving for work, study, to be with family, or simply to explore a different part of the world, this article will answer all the questions you may have about the global relocation process.

 

Why you should move to a new country

First things first, why is it a good decision to move to a different country? While global relocation can be a costly and complicated process, there are countless benefits for those who are able to accommodate such a big move in their lives. With more and more people working remotely and starting their own businesses, the possibilities for living abroad are more abundant than ever before. Depending on where you move to, you could even save money by lowering your living expenses. For this reason, many people are migrating away from cities in search of a quieter, more affordable lifestyle while continuing to build their careers thanks to remote working opportunities.

Moving abroad allows for a fresh start, which could be exactly what you need if you are feeling stuck in your career or personal life. Stepping into this new adventure could also bring a new community of people into your life, which will further aid in broadening your perspectives. Beyond exciting possibilities such as learning a new language, advancing in your career and making new friends, embarking on a global relocation mission will help you to step out of your comfort zone and get to know yourself better than ever before. If you are moving with other people such as your family, partner, or a couple of friends, you will find that your relationships grow even stronger.

 

 

 

Personal global relocation versus corporate global relocation

The global relocation process depends on the type of relocation, namely personal relocation or corporate relocation. Personal global relocation services are used by families or individuals who are moving to a new country without the support of an employer. When enlisting personal relocation services, most people seek support with obtaining the correct visas, shipping their belongings overseas, and renting or purchasing a house.

Corporate global relocation services are typically used by companies who are transferring their workers to a different branch. Corporate relocation services offer the same support as personal relocation services and can be tailored according to your unique needs and budget. When enlisting corporate relocation services, a company could also benefit from added offerings such as financial advice and tax consultation, partner/spousal support for the employee(s) being transferred, archiving employee data and storing preferences for future relocations, and providing transfer service for the employee’s first day of work.

 

 

 

Factors to consider in the global relocation process

So, you’ve decided to move abroad but you have no idea where and how to start preparing. Let’s break the global relocation process down into the most important factors you need to consider when planning your move (luckily, each of the bullet points below can be ticked off your to-do list simply by getting the right professional support from a local relocation expert):

  • Obtaining the right visa is crucial in the relocation process. Since visa regulations differ for each country and are further impacted by your country of origin, you will need to work through a lot of information to ensure you are eligible for the visa or work permit you need to apply for. Enlist professional help to prevent any costly mistakes in this step.
  • Travel arrangements. From booking flights and cars to arranging for international shipping and pet relocation, you will need to get your travel arrangements in order as soon as possible. Once you have a date of arrival, everything else usually starts to fall in place around these arrangements. If you are working with a relocation agency, the relocation consultant will be able to assist you in all of your travel arrangements.
  • Pet relocation. If you plan on moving your pets with you, it is important that you start this process at least six to seven months before your departure. Working with a trusted pet relocation expert will help you execute this move safely and seamlessly. Arranging vaccinations, blood tests, health certificates, travel permits and transportation — all of these administrative tasks can be handled by a pet relocation agency.
  • Suburb analysis. If you are moving to a new country or city, it can be daunting to decide where in town you are going to live. To ease this process, you could call on professional help in order to conduct a thorough suburb analysis to find the neighbourhood that answers to all your needs and preferences. Perhaps you are looking for a quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood, or maybe you prefer the hustle and bustle of living in the CBD. Don’t have a car? You may want to pick a suburb that is easily accessible via public transport. Budget-wise, you are also more likely to find affordable housing the further away you move from the city centre.
  • Home search and property management. Finding the right home is one of the most important considerations in the global relocation journey. Whether you are renting or buying a new property, or you need property management assistance to sell or rent out your current property, you can get the right home search assistance from professional real estate agents who know the local market. We’ll talk more about navigating the foreign property market in just a minute.
  • School and daycare. Picking the right school or daycare to send your children to is difficult enough as it is. When moving abroad, you also need to factor in that different countries and regions have varying educational requirements. Your relocation agent will be able to answer all your questions about school levels and entry requirements, and can even help you arrange interviews with prospective schools and daycare facilities in your new town.

 

 

 

Navigating the property market in a foreign country

Many people who are relocating globally are most concerned about where they are going to live. While many of the other administrative steps in the global relocation journey are mostly straightforward, it gets more complicated when it comes to picking the right city and suburb, choosing between renting or buying a house, negotiating contract agreements, finding the right schools and daycare facilities for your kids, and making sure your pets arrive safely in your new country.

Then there is the question of whether you should ship your belongings to your new home or opt to invest in new furniture. Are you going to buy a car or rely on public transport? Is your new neighbourhood pedestrian-friendly and safe for kids to play in? What will your daily commute to work or school look like? What are your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or homeowner in a foreign country?

Don’t stress. While all of these decisions may be enough to send you running for the hills, there are people who are trained and experienced in taking care of all your concerns regarding global relocation. Working with a buyer’s agent or a property management expert in your new country of residence will help you find the dream home that ticks all your boxes. Navigating the foreign property market doesn’t have to be as scary as you might think!

 

 

 

Enlisting professional global relocation services

A buyer’s agent will offer support from the very start of the process until you have settled into your new home — from identifying available properties that meet your goals and budget, providing detailed location guidance, and arranging and conducting viewings on your behalf to negotiating and closing contracts, conducting property inspections, and assisting in the appraisal, loan approval and title insurance processes.

When relocating to a new country, you can also benefit from professional property management services. If you are planning on selling or renting out your existing property, the right property management services can go a long way to ensure that your investment continues to pay off in the long run. A property management expert can provide support ranging from property maintenance, account administration and property market valuations to property inspections, tenant screening and ongoing tenant management.

Beyond the big stuff outlined above, there is a myriad of smaller tasks that might slip your mind. Airport pickup upon arrival, getting oriented in your new town, arranging for temporary storage facilities, relocating your furniture, and connecting your utilities such as internet, gas and electricity in your new home are all additional services that can be provided by your relocation agent to ease the process of settling down in your new home.

 

Ready to move to a new country?
Reach out to Claymore Thistle today to schedule a call for a wide range of global relocation services.

Relocating your Pets to Australia

Relocating your Pets to Australia

So, you’ve decided to take the leap and move country, but the thought of leaving your beloved pets behind is almost enough to make you drop your plans altogether. Luckily for you and your four-legged companions, no one needs to get left behind. Relocating pets internationally is easier than ever before. Although it can be a complicated, costly and lengthy process, it’ll be worth it to make sure your pets can accompany you on your next big adventure! Besides, you don’t have to go through the challenges of international pet relocation by yourself. The right relocation agency will help you work through all the travel requirements so that you can focus your attention on checking out the best new local walks for your jet-setting pets.

 

 

Can I relocate my pets internationally?

Yes! With the help of professional pet relocation agencies, the moving process doesn’t have to give you any grey hair. At this time, only cats and dogs are permitted to travel into and out of Australia. Some exceptions may apply, which you can further discuss with your relocation agent. The travel requirements for bringing a pet into Australia depend on which group of countries you are travelling from. Australia considers three groups of countries, outlined as follows:

  • Group 1: New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Cocos Island.
  • Group 2: American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Island, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Mauritius, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis, and Futuna.
  • Group 3: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary and Balearic Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Netherlands-Antilles, Aruba, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, South Africa, Reunion, Saipan, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.

 

What are the requirements for relocating pets to Australia?

Pets travelling to Australia must adhere to a number of medical requirements. The most important travel requirements to keep in mind when preparing to relocate your pets to Australia are the following:

  • All pets entering Australia must be microchipped and have an official certificate to prove it.
  • To be eligible to enter Australia, your pets must be up to date with all of their vaccinations within the required timeframe. Australia requires multiple vaccinations which may result in up to five trips to the vet.
  • Blood tests. All animals travelling to Australia must be vaccinated against rabies and pass a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titration Test (RNATT).
  • Import documentation. The permit to bring a pet into Australia can take a couple of months to process, so it is generally advised to start this process at least six months in advance. The earlier, the better.

All of the vaccinations and tests mentioned above must be administered within a prescribed window prior to departure. While there is a lot to keep track of during the preparation stage, your pet relocation agent will help you manage all the requirements on time.

If you have to relocate quickly and its too late to start the pet relocation process, it is possible to fly out ahead of your pets as long as they have a safe place to stay at while you wait for their permits to be approved.

 

What is the process of relocating pets internationally?

First things first, you need to make sure that your pets are eligible to travel to Australia. A quick check on the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s website will let you know whether your pets are allowed to enter Australia as well as what the specific travel requirements are for the country you are travelling from.

Next up, visit your local vet and find out which vaccinations your pets need to travel to Australia. Your vet will also be able to give you more information about the precise timelines required for each vaccination. Make sure your pet’s health certificate is up to date with all of their vaccinations and blood work as this information is crucial for obtaining an import permit.

 

 

Will my pets be well taken care of during the relocation journey?

Since Australia is an animal-loving nation, there are strict rules in place to ensure that pets in transit are well taken care of. During the flight, pets are secured in travel crates in a temperature-controlled environment. The animals are thoroughly checked before the flight and are the last to be loaded on the plane and the first to be loaded off upon arrival. As soon as the plane lands, the animals are moved to a safe, temperature-controlled indoor area away from noisy vehicles and machinery. Depending on the quarantine requirements, the pets will be collected either by their owners (for domestic flights) or by quarantine staff (for international flights).

Further to this, there are plenty of measures in place to ensure that animals don’t get lost or misplaced during the flight. Each animal gets a unique airway bill that is logged into a system on both sides to make sure they safely arrive at their new homes.

 

Which services can a pet relocation agent provide?

A professional pet relocation agency can help you move your pets safely and stress-free. The relocation agent will take care of all the logistical arrangements and ensure you follow the right timeline to get everything done on time. A pet relocation agent will assist you with arranging vaccinations, blood tests, health certificates, travel permits, transportation, and even getting the right IATA approved pet carrier for your cat or dog to fly in.

Working with a reputable pet relocation agency will help you manage any possible obstacles along the way. The process of bringing pets into a foreign country can be daunting. The smallest mishap or overlooked detail on your end will not only cost you a lot of time and money but can even result in your pets being barred from entering the country. When it comes to relocating your pets, don’t take any shortcuts. Rather play it safe to make sure your animal companions are in safe hands from the start of the relocation journey until they are settled into their new home!

 

Need relocation services, corporate relocations or relocation assistance in Australia?
Reach out to Claymore Thistle today to schedule a call 
for relocation to Australia!
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What you should know about relocating your business to Australia

What you should know about relocating your business to Australia

Thinking of branching out your business internationally and wondering whether Australia is a good fit? Or maybe you’re relocating to Australia and looking for ways to take your business with you?

Australia is an attractive location for business owners across many industries. With a strong economy and ample opportunity for business growth, Australia is an excellent country to set up shop when expanding or relocating your business. The excitement of starting a business in Australia is of course accompanied by various risk factors and challenges along the way, but once you have it figured out, the reward will be well worth the hard work!

Keep reading for a breakdown of everything you should know about relocating your business to Australia — from taxation and visa applications to employing workers and harnessing opportunities for business development.

 

Australia’s business environment

As a major financial centre in the Asia Pacific region with strong economic ties to Europe and America, Australia occupies a unique position for business owners and entrepreneurs. The country presents plenty of room for development in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, finance, health services, transport, agriculture, and more. Further to this, Australia has a strong local currency with an open and developed economy.

While the average cost of living is relatively high compared to other countries, Australia has an overall high quality of life. Thanks to the country’s top-rated educational system along with attractive opportunities for international students and workers from abroad, the Australian workforce is diverse, multilingual and highly skilled. In addition to the potential for quality dynamic workforces, Australia offers a low-cost business environment that is empowered by world-class infrastructure, telecommunication and transport systems.

 

Factors to consider when moving your business to Australia

There is a myriad of things to think about when planning to relocate your business and while executing the move. The cost of relocating a business to Australia will vary greatly depending on the nature of the business, the number of employees, and the amount of assets that need to be relocated or newly purchased. The cost of operating a business in Australia will also depend on factors such as the location and the city’s local cost of living.

One of the first things you will need to do is establish a business presence in Australia, either by setting up a branch or a subsidiary. To decide on the most suitable structure for your business, you need to take into account the costs of establishing a business along with the relevant tax and legal requirements.

When establishing a branch of an existing business, the new Australian branch will function as an extension of the original company’s business operations. While the new branch will not be considered a separate legal entity from the mother company, it will be subject to Australian income taxes. A subsidiary, on the other hand, functions as a separate legal entity from the original company. The process of establishing a subsidiary is often simpler than setting up a new branch, while tax rates are also likely to be lower.

On that note, let’s talk about taxes. Foreign residents in Australia are taxed on their Australian-sourced income, although there are several exceptions to this rule, such as exemptions from paying taxes on interests and dividends. Businesses in Australia are liable to pay income tax on all global taxable income. Corporate income tax in Australia is currently calculated at 30%. Businesses may apply for applicable treaty relief.

When employing workers in Australia, the employer has certain tax obligations for their employees. Contributing to superannuation, taking responsibility for PAYG, and ensuring that all employees are legally allowed to work in Australia are some of the most important factors to consider when hiring, managing and paying workers in Australia. You will also need to keep detailed records of all business operations in line with the Australian Standard Business Reporting (SBR). When it comes to your business’s taxes in a foreign country, play it safe and enlist professional help to make sure you don’t run into any legal and compliance issues.

 

Applying for business visas in Australia

Visa application processes can be intimidating, but it’s crucial that you get this right! If you are a non-resident of Australia, you need to apply for the correct visa and ensure that you meet the relevant requirements. Multiple visas are available for business purposes. Here is a quick look at the different options for business visas in Australia:

  • The Business Innovation visa (subclass 188a): This visa is suitable for applicants up to the age of 55 who are experienced in managing a business. The application requirements include ownership of an established business with a set minimum annual turnover along with a set minimum asset value that can be used to establish a business in Australia.
  • The Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132): This visa is suitable for business owners and investors. Experienced business owners can either apply for the visa’s Significant Business History stream or the Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream.
  • The overseas business sponsorship visa: This visa allows a foreign parent company to apply to be an overseas business sponsor and nominate a position for sponsorship in the Australian branch of the business. Once approved, the applicant can apply for a Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) to be able to relocate to Australia.

 

The benefits of relocating your business to Australia

Australia offers favourable conditions for business owners to start a new entrepreneurial venture or relocate an existing business from abroad. Australia has an impressive corporate registration system with the added convenience of online registration options. The application process to register a corporate entity in Australia is quick, uncomplicated, and highly efficient. You can complete the online registration for a legal entity in Australia in as little as ten minutes and have your new business successfully registered in under a week. Further to this, the process of navigating corporate entity registration and incorporating a business into Australia is transparent and free of the red tape that often characterises these activities in other countries.

As indicated above, the Australian government offers a variety of visa options for individuals who want to relocate their businesses to Australia. Since the country is supportive of new business ventures that will advance the Australian economy and create job opportunities, there are several additional advantages for business owners such as taxation benefits, venture capital opportunities, government grants for specified industries, and ease of engaging qualified workers.

Need relocation assistance in Australia?  Learn everything you need to know about corporate relocations and discover our variety of relocation services now! Reach out to Claymore Thistle today to schedule a call for relocation to Australia!

The pros and cons of living in the Australian Outback

The pros and cons of living in the Australian Outback

The Australian Outback is a fascinating, mysterious and beautiful part of the country. Although the Outback region encompasses massive parts of the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, and the north-western corner of New South Wales, this area is home to less than 5% of Australia’s entire population. Even though the Outback is sparsely populated, tourism is a major industry in this region. Adventure travel and nature-based experiences are particularly popular in the Outback thanks to the incredible wildlife and natural sceneries that can be enjoyed in peace and quiet.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the Australian Outback? This guide is for you!

 

 

Where is the Australian Outback?

The Australian Outback is one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions of Australia. Spanning over five million square kilometres, the Outback covers more than 70% of the Australian landmass. There are several different definitions of which areas are precisely included in the Outback, although it typically refers to the arid regions surrounding Central Australia. For many people, mention of the Outback conjures up images of desert landscapes reaching as far as the eye can see. The Outback however includes a variety of climatic zones, including the tropical and monsoonal parts in the north and the semi-arid and temperate climates in the south.

The Outback has a significant Indigenous heritage history and remains an important site for Aboriginal communities. The Outback is also home to a diverse ecosystem of Australian plant and animal species. Indigenous wildlife such as red kangaroos and dingoes along with a wide variety of birds and insects reside in the Outback, having adapted to the extreme climates throughout the year.

 

Why do so few people live in the Australian Outback?

The total population of the Australian Outback is estimated to be under one million. The majority of Australia’s population resides in the coastal areas surrounding Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. The proximity to beaches, shops, universities, working opportunities and international airports adds to the appeal of living in these parts of the country. In short, the Outback makes for an isolated and remote place to live, removed from all the action and convenience associated with Australia’s coastal capital cities. Of course, some people may argue that the isolated nature of the Outback is the biggest advantage of living here!

 

The pros of living in the Australian Outback

  • Beautiful sceneries. The Outback is known for its picture-perfect sunrises and sunsets illuminating the deserts and woodlands. The Outback is home to the world’s largest remaining areas in natural condition for three global biomes, including tropical and subtropical grasslands, scrublands and savannas, deserts and xeric shrublands, and Mediterranean-type forests and woodlands.
  • Incredible natural sites to explore. Adventurous travellers will have an amazing time exploring the Outback. From the stunning water sceneries at Mitchell Falls to the breathtaking rock formations in the Flinders Range, you are guaranteed to experience nature like nowhere else in the world!

●       Indigenous history and culture. With nearly 20% of the Outback’s population being Indigenous, this is one of the most important heritage and cultural sites for Aboriginal communities in Australia. Further to this, more than 150 Indigenous languages are spoken in the Outback.

  • Diverse animal life. The low population rates in the Outback are highly advantageous for the wellbeing of plant and animal life. Wildlife thrives in the Outback and is respected by residents to go about their lives in peace.
  • One-of-a-kind tourist attractions. From underground hotels to ghost towns and dystopian movie sets to explore, the Outback offers travel and holiday experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.
  • Ultimate peace and quiet. While the region’s remoteness may be on the con list for some, others will love the silence that is found in the Outback. If you want to unplug and recharge without any noisy distractions, a trip to the Outback is just what you need.
  • Endless road trip adventures. If you’re craving a long road trip and camping mission, the Outback offers plenty of 4WD adventures winding through kilometres of quiet roads and beautiful sceneries. Many visitors even opt to embark on a van life trip for a couple of weeks to make the most out of the Outback’s remote natural beauty.

 

The cons of living in the Australian Outback

  • Extreme climate The Outback is notorious for its extreme temperatures with summers getting as hot as 40 degrees and winter nights dropping far below zero. The Outback gets some rain throughout the year, although the climate can be a massive shock for those who aren’t used to these scorching weather conditions.
  • Isolated from the rest of Australia. As mentioned earlier, the Outback is a remote region with little connection to the country’s coastal capitals. This means that shops, schools, doctors and other necessities are often hours away.

 

As you can see, the cons list is much shorter than the pros list! The Outback isn’t for everyone, but it is well worth exploring. If you’re feeling up for the heat and limited human interaction, make sure the Outback is on your list of places to travel to in 2022.

 

 

 

Do you want to explore more of Australia? Discover here our global relocation services and corporate relocations!
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