T

Tess

10 Reviews8 Questions10 Answers

Reviews

Highfields

"Changing and not for the better"

As it has been some time since I wrote the last review I thought I would do an update. My personal opinion and the opinion of many in our community is we have one of the worse councils ever. They are hell bent of building as many houses on as many small blocks as is humanly possible, and ripping out thousands of mature trees. Magnificent rolling hills being turned in to gettos. Many from Highfields are now packing up and moving down the road to Meringandan West, or out to Goombungee and Kingsthorp. Still only about a 20 minuet drive into Toowoomba CBD but able to secure a larger acre block surrounded by more of the same so they cant be built out by council approving tiny blocks.
As many are aware the new freeway is going in , it runs right through the lower end of Highfields, yet there is no access to the freeway ! One has to drive into the city to access the freeway that costs money than , comes all the way back pass Highfields. Yet again this comes from the council only concerned with what works best for the city of Toowoomba.
Having said all this there is now a fantastic new shopping center in Toowoomba, Grand Central with some amazing resturants and coffee shops and we now have something close to a 5 star resturant which has opened in Hampton, just 10 minuets drive from Highfields heading towards Crows Nest.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
2
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Highland Park Road

"Happy Living here"

How nice to wake up in the morning to the sounds of birds not traffic. All house blocks are at least 1/2 acre. All the properties are well looked after though gardening is a bit of a challenge due to the black soil, but if you can work out what will grow in your garden then you will be fine. We have found magnolia's and gardenias like living here.

Great for

  • Nice people, friendly but respectful of your privacy.
  • Very Quite

Not great for

  • We are 25 minuets from Toowoomba, but there is Highfields 7km away so we dont need to go into Toowoomba that often
  • Would be nice if a few more homes would plant some street trees.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
0
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Meringandan West

"All te advantages with out the disadvantages"

Meringandan West is just 7km from Highfields where you will find a small shopping center with all you need. Good size Woolworths, hairdresser, post office good medical center, and chemist. Highfields is the fastest growing suburb in Qld. Meringandan West is marked as rural residential which means the blocks will remain a good size most 1/2 to 1 acre. There is a new estate going up but again big blocks, bike paths, and walk ways. You are just 25 mins to the center of Toowoomba which is economically booming. The grand central shopping center is under redevelopemnet a $500 million dollar project. A $191 Million sports center has now been approved for Charlton which is a close by suburb, there are good schools with plenty of school busses. Toowoomba "was" a sleepy country town but that is all changing but in a good way, with more parks, a city ring road, the new well camp airport and a massive business park next to the airport soon to be built. All in all a good place to live, lovely friendly people who make you welcome as soon as you arrive.
The old railway yards in Toowoomba have recently been up graded in colonial style and looks impressive. There are plans to develop the area around the railway yards in to more parks, and are currently going over submissions from the public as to what they would like to be included. Ajoining this area is the old mill, which will be developed into upmarket apartments, including it own market. The Grand Central shopping center is now well underway and hopes to be finished at the end of 2016

Great for

  • Community feeling.
  • Quiet peaceful evenings.
  • Safe family area.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
0
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Toowoomba City

"Get in Quick"

Despite the down turn in Real Estate Prices in so many cities and towns around Australia this does not seem to be the case in Toowoomba and towns within 10 to 20 minuets of Toowoomba. Having no end of alerts set on realestate .com.au we started to notice "new" listings would appear with "under contract" already on them. we were lucky to pick up a property over the weekend but our agent told us that in many cases property under $400,000 often has several people trying to out bid each other. With the Toowoomba Airport now confirming direct flights to Sydney will soon start competition will only increase (something to do with fly in fly out miners) With great schools and medical facilities and cooler summers than other parts of Qld this is a great place to move to.

Great for

  • Beautiful parks
  • Climate
  • Good shopping and some great schools
  • Everything you need

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
imc53
imc53

I think this review is written by a realestate agent or someone wanting to sell their home. Of course the houses in a low price range are selling they are so much cheaper then other cities. Of course there are great things about twmba. Good schools and cooler weather sometimes and medical facilities but seriously there is not much employment or things to do. It is becoming a giant retirement village. Most young people leave when they get to university or working age. By the way Agents will tell you anything don't you know that by now.

Tess

Well imc53, NO we are NOT real estate agents in fact we dont even live in qld. We have spent many many hours watching market trends as we simply cant afford to live in the major cities any more nor do we wish to be crammed into high rise towers like a sardine, which is a growing trend in capital cities, and forced to send our children to deralict schools. We wanted a clean preferably green safe place to live, and after many trips to really have a good look around several country towns across Qld, Vic and NSW Toowoomba always came in at the top of our list. We have now bought in Toowoomba and yes we did have to fight for the house as it was a good price, and are looking forward to moving especially as it would seem the high life living youth is leaving, making it an even better place to raise children who we hope will grow up to enjoy and respect all the country has to offer.

Tess

Well here we are finally in Toowooomba and LOVE IT, finally the kids can run free in beautiful parks, Yes it is raining but at least things are green and not dried out brown and a fire risk. For all those that knock this lovely city we have two friends who live in London UK both medical doctors and guess where they have now decided to move to ?? Yes Toowoomba. We also have a friend on the Gold Coast a GP and yep they also are sick of the crime rate, and entire life style down there so where are they going Toowoomba. Wonder how many are aware that toowoomba was voted the 3rd best place in the whole of Australia to raise children .

Hally123

My wife and I are considering our first investment property I am NOT a real estate agent but keen to get some local insight as we live in the Central West of NSW

joya3

Hi all we are just going to start our life in toowoomba, we are moving from uk, but having read all this comments make me worries about the friendliness of people there, is it really that difficult to get along with people there and whatabout employment?? I am working in hospital here in Uk. Please share your thoughts and suggestions tnx

patricec

Hi joya3 we are hoping to start are new life in Toowoomba very soon, moving front Ireland and like you the reviews have left me a bit worried. Can I ask if you have made the move yet and if so how do you find it thanks in advance. PC

Tess

What is it that mainly concerns you Paricec ?

Tess

Joya3, moving anywhere you dont know is always a bit of a concern. Where ever you live is a very personal thing what you like someone else may not. If you want to work I am sure you will find work especially if you have medical training. Look at it like this , move here, rent a place , give it 6 months if it is not for you well you have a base to work from to find a place you like. We love it and have had no issues. Heaps of state and private schools, good shopping, house prices are resonable. If you want a bit of space rather than a city home look out at Highfields or Drayton you can pick up a house on 1/2 acre no issue. Brisbane is only 2 hours drive and the Gold Coast 2 and 1/2 hours, Sunshine coast about the same distance.

patricec

Hi Tess the comments on crime and the dangers of walking alone also about how unfriendly the people or which surprised me as we have been to perth and Brisbane on holiday and found the opposite. It's a huge step moving to another country so you have lots of doubts about everything and the little things become massive in your head. With regards to area we have no concerns with schools as our daughter is an adult now. We are looking for a nice quietish area close to nice restaurants and bars and not to far to travel to work in the public hospital thanks.

Tess

Patricec, Ok now I undestand. I have found people very friendly and helpful, I dont go out much at night, I admit, so dont see any of this crime people have commented on, and dont hear much of it either, but you have issues where every you live you just stay away from those areas. Where I see your issue is that Aus is very different from the UK / Ireland. We dont have those little villages with the village pub, then 10 minuets drive to a major city for all the night life. Toowoomba has lots of lovely areas to live, for example Highfields 15 minuets drive from the city where the hospitals are, beautiful country feel. The down side from your perspective is going to be, a quite area with bars and clubs. There are pubs in the city but Toowoomba is definately not known for its night life, or resturants for that matter. There are resturants but not heaps of 5 star places. If you want night life you need to look at Brisbane or the Gold Coast but then you wont get the nice quite life. I think that is pretty typical of Aus in general, Busy life close to night life you live close to the city, or quite life and drive to the night life. I can tell you Brisbane and the Gold Coast have far more crime and fights in the streets than you will ever see in Toowoomba. Cost of living is another thing to consider, as I said your best bet if you have been offered a job in Toowoomba is to look at Toowoomba as a short term stay until you find a place that suits what you are looking for.

patricec

Tess that's great thank you. I think you might have misunderstood me asking about bars restaurants, I was thinking a nice meal and a few glasses of wine my husband and I are well and truly past the night club stage.

Tess

Well Highfields is 7km from the Meringandan Pub rated 3rd best place to eat in the area, you will find it on Google. Easy drive to town, reasonable cost of houseing , there is a small shopping center, medical centre all you need and 10 minuets into Toowoomba. Toowoomba has fantastic PCYC markets on Sunday, lots of local farmers selling produce. Queens Park is full of familes and great coffee shop opposite. Admit I love it but accept others hate it.

patricec

Thank you glad you like it hope we do also, if we every get are visa. x

antonia-t-breena

I lived in Toowoomba for 3 years in the '80's to study leaving to continue in the UK. My socialising was based on literature and classical music so enjoyed the intellectual aspect very much. Having lived back in Brisbane for20 years I love to get out of what is now a fairly jammed up large city with traffic problems, very expensive real estate and dependency on computer for enquiries as its time consuming to get somewhere and ask a question. People do not say hello when you are at the bus stop or pass on the street even in the quieter suburbs. I very much enjoy visiting Toowoomba as it has retained a percentage of colonial past and values. The streets are lined with trees and it seems to be keeping abreast of societal developments as well as any other smaller city. We find excellent food and wines there. I love it and feel at peace there. There's nothing wrong with strong church community. That's a good thing. Hard to meld in if that does not have a place in one's own life I imagine.

rachaelc17

Joya3 - Seriously!!! Have a look at the Sunshine coast hinterland! It has the elevation and hence cooler weather Toowoomba has , but it also has little villages that DO have a town pub with great food etc!
Look at the Malany, Mt Mee, and Montville areas! Truly beautiful, in some places you can be surrounded by green fields with a view that stretches all the way out over the ocean to Moreton Island!

trinar3

rachaelc17 yes they are fabulous areas but prohibitively expensive now, I'm afraid.

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Cash Ct

"Aircraft can be annoying"

Nice little area but you do hear the trucks sometimes on the hwy and the airfield is quite close.

Great for

  • Nice homes
  • Nice people

Not great for

  • Airfield
  • Truck Noise
  • Bit far from town

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
0
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Echuca

"Escape to the country"

Sick of the cost of city life, and the daily commute ?
Move to the Echuca ! Everything you need at half the cost ! You can buy a superb home here for 1/2 what it costs in Melbourne. More sunny days than the Gold Coast. Top schools both state and private.
Something happening almost every weekend. Coffee shop and resturants again at 1/2 the cost of Melbourne. Get your kids out of the city life and move up here you wont regret it.

Great for

  • Top Schools in Echuca and just over the bridge in Moama
  • Plenty of work especially for trades people
  • NEVER seen a drug addict or gang on the streets.

Not great for

  • Parking meters in Echuca business district

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
0
JulieP2

What's work like in the hospitality industry or anything touristy I have a bus license so would like to maybe tour guide

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Bateman Dr

"Bateman Drive, Echuca"

Bateman drive is in the Chelsworth Park Estate on of the premier estates in Echuca. All homes sit on at least an acre. Property owners, are proud of there large homes and quite lifestyle. Even in this quite market properties in this estate get snapped up quickly with buyers seeing the longer term return on there investment. A Flood free area. Homes have Stock and Domestic allocation of water as well as all town services. No crime, very quite, lots of lovely big trees, and close to great schools. Ideal location, just a 7 minuet drive to the center of town, but at the same time that 7km keeps you well away from the busy tourist center so the best of both worlds.
Google maps are about 3 years out of date, worth a drive to see how it looks now with all the trees that have grown and owners have developed gardens.

Great for

  • Big Trees
  • Quality Homes
  • Great Return on your investment

Not great for

  • None

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
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Ikona Dr

"Nice Court"

One of the last courts to be developed in this lovely estate so there is still one block of land still to be sold and one block that has a house recently built. Not as many trees as some of the other courts but owners are working hard to establish gardens so in a short time it will be another lovely court in this great area. Again all blocks are at least an acre and all homes are very high quality so with that comes nice responcible neighbours.
Fehring Lane is the main access into this small estate and you do have a short wait to get out onto Northern Hwy but no more than a couple of minuets at worst. Great place to live and raise a family.

Great for

  • Very quite

Not great for

  • Still one block to be sold and built on

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
0
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Fehring Ln

"One of the very best areas."

Fehring Lane a jewel in Echuca. Hidden away just off the Northern Hwy, only 7km from the center of Echuca. Fehring Lane is the main entry/exit road to a small estate where all homes are high quality, all sit on a minimum of 1 acre of land. Neighbours are there if you need them but not in your face or hanging over your fence. A large majority of people take great pride in there gardens and homes, streets in the estate are lined with trees giving a sense of country living at its best, and roads are quite wide giving a feel of space. Homes sell quickly in the roads running off fehring lane most of which are no through roads making them safe for children many of who walk to the local bus stop to catch a bus to school.
Lots of owners have dogs but you rarely hear them, just the odd "woof" to alert an owner of a visitors arrival. Again owners are respectful and keep dogs confind to there own properties.

Great for

  • No speeding hoons
  • Lovely trees
  • Very nice homes

Not great for

  • Can be a little wait to get out onto the Northern Hwy at peak times but only a couple of minuets at the worst.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
0
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Woodend

"Nature lovers paradice, only 55 mins from Melbourne"

Fantastic life style, coffee shops, resturants, wineries. Great schools, direct V Line to Melbourne makes commuting easy.
Very safe, everyone is so nice and friendly - come and join us !

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
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