Launceston, TAS 7250

In contrast to most reviews here, which seems to be made by real estate agents, I would like to offer a genuine opinion on Launceston.
It has the potential to be a great town, with good facilities, convenience, interesting events and affordable housing BUT in the 30 years I've been visiting (I now live here) almost nothing has been achieved with bringing road hoons under control.
So, if you enjoy living near a retro-city that sounds like a noisy race track at least 4 nights a week, sharing your town with young and old alike who get off on the sounds of noisy car and motorbike exhausts, and a location where authorities show almost complete disinterest in bringing this problem under control - choose Launceston! Otherwise I would recommend Hobart.

I lived here and found it easy to walk around, architecturally sensitive, with a good museum and art gallery, gorge, restaurants and shops. The people are friendly. Easy parking and an accessible city.

Quiet small town with a vibrant cbd and beautiful nature!

Launceston is a lovely city that has been my home for 29 years! Growing up in the area has been a treat as Launceston boasts all the conveniences possible without the big city, cramped feel. Launceston is home to many wonders including the Cataract Gorge, Tamar Wetlands and also the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery as well as beautiful range of cafes, bars and restaurants. Launceston has many parks and bike and walking tracks for families and adventurers alike.

Jenna Baker - Property Manager, Launceston

The heading should actually read, 'what's not to love about Launceston'. I have lived in this beautiful city all of my life and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. It may be a small town, but the saying is true about great things coming in small packages! My favourite places include the iconic Cataract Gorge, the stunning vineyards in every direction and the mind-blowing coastlines and beaches. We also have the very best restaurants and cafe's and in my opinion the best coffee in the world! Ok, so I haven't tried everywhere in the world but I am sure we are in the top 10!

As the owner of a Property Management business in Launceston and working in the Real Estate industry for almost 25 years, I am lucky enough to assist people looking to invest or finding homes for people moving to our State. Living in Launceston is simple, safe and it has such a great community spirit.

Michelle Williams - Managing Director
@home Property Management Launceston
0363344433

Launceston has so much to offer! it is a mixture of old and new and is a rapidly growing city.
Launceston is renowned for the Cataract Gorge, with its walking trails and amazing views.
An overall great community and atmosphere.

Casey Rafferty

Tameka Smith - Property Manager, Launceston

Launceston is Tasmania's second major city and a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture and nature. Locally born i am very passionate about the amazing city that we live in. Being a local Launceston property manager i am able to continually grow my knowledge and share it with everyone. This wonderful place offers a variety of old and new, my must see and do recommendations - the Launceston Cataract Gorge , Tamar Valley wine tour, the seaport and city tour. If you are looking to settle down in a low key city that still offers a range of different living styles plus it super safe for all ages, this is defiantly the place for you.

Launceston has been my home for 37 years! It is a charming town with a beautiful mix of old and new, it is full of history and new development. The Cataract Gorge, Tamar River and the many vineyards just add to the charm of this beautiful city. It is super safe for families and has so much to offer the younger generation with great parks and bike tracks!
Tameka Smith - Property Manager Launceston

I am a local property manager in Launceston and one of my biggest passions is truly the city I feel so blessed to live in! Launceston is such a pretty city, local attractions of the Cataract Gorge amongst so many! The city itself I find appearing very clean, kind residents and whilst being progressive, a nice pace of living to work in, retire to or raise a young family.

I love Launceston!
The architecture, the restaurants, the cafes, parks, river, gorge, shops.
The people! So friendly, very welcoming and kind.
If I had to live in a city in Australia this would be the one.
Property is affordable, it is not far from nature. All amenities in good condition. Jobs. Hospital. Public transport.

Makes for family living a delight - with a who's who living in this pleasant Trevallyn location.

Especially "high up" overlooking the headwaters of the River Tamar, Mountains, the Silio Hotel, the near Cityscapes.

With walking trails, these rare, never-to-be-built out protected privileged views, and renowned Gorge - but is not too close to commercial Launceston City.

And, unlike so many other streets that are on smaller blocks in Trevallyn, West Tamar Roads precinct is not among neighbors .

With larger land content for family, more beautiful potential.

Launceston never really had much going for it. I agree, it is drab, colourless, lacking character. It may have heritage buildings but it lacks soul. The only thing it had going for it was housing was reasonably affordable. But Since the great mainland immigration began a few years back, I find, as a local, the city no longer meets my needs.

Traffic is shit. The traffic congestion has become a major problem. And don’t tell me about the traffic in Melbourne and Sydney, I’ve lived there too and it’s a part of choosing to live in a large city. Launceston isn’t a large city and the changes happening with the population growth are not welcome. Shopping is very restricted, lots of cheap chain store and discount shopping but not much of else of a creative or quality nature The crime rate has soared, armed robberies and shootings becoming quite the norm. People are becoming frustrated and rude because resources are being stretched...This is not a pleasant town. Housing is no longer affordable, following on the heels of Hobart. It’s fine wanting to tree change...But is it simply being driven by that fear of missing out....

I don't know why people (locals) boast about Launceston. The city itself is drab with old 'heritage' listed dumps of buildings or others painted grey to camouflage in the background where it's mostly foggy and drab weather. Try to get a park anywhere in the city. Pay top dollar and still walk for miles. Plenty of vacant shops in Launceston where interstate people have tried to introduce something new to this backward town, failed, packed up and gone home. Try to get a new business through Launceston city council and they will block it (Big W is a prime example). Devonport has more going for it.

Ugly and drab is a fair description of Launceston.

Launceston has been my home for 21 years and the more I travel and see other places, the more I am thankful for having such a wonderful place to live in. There are plenty of jobs around - although not many of the high paying corporate jobs you find in the Capital Cities. Schools are great with a good selection of public and private. Like everywhere, there are some suburbs that are better than others, however living in the better ones isn't that expensive. If you don't mind a 15 minute drive to work, there are plenty of places where you can own a few acres of land close by.

Excellent services, shopping, amenities, natural beauty to explore and events going on in the region. Easy access to other parts of Tasmania and a short flight to the Mainland. It really is one of the best family friendly and enjoyable cities in the world.

From an investment perspective in realestate - it is great. property prices are relatively low and rental return is quite high.

I've lived in Launceston all my life and I am never leaving! Launceston isn't a huge city but it has everything you will need. With heaps to see and the Cataract Gorge being the most popular especially in summer you wont get bored here. So many shopping options, heaps of parks and recreational activities, and other big attractions not far away at all. Launceston is safe and quiet and you wont go wrong living here!

Settled by Europeans in 1806, bringing us today's Launceston which is made up of 24 suburbs and a population of just over 106000 people. Being the ninth largest non capital city in Australia, Launceston has a lot to offer for anyone looking to settle in Tas. Looking for things to do in Launceston, http://www.think-tasmania.com/things-to-do-in-launceston/ .
I have lived in Launceston for nearly 20 years and found it to be a great central point for access to everything that Tassie has on offer, being just over 2 hours to the east coast beaches, 2 to 2.5 hours to Hobart(capital) and approximately 3 hours to the far rugged west coast of Tas - with many things to do along the way! Such as stop at ashgrove cheese, chocolate factory, raspberry farm, water falls, fish farms, many parks along the way for kids to play, local zoo, go karting, , great four wheel drive tracks, fishing is great along the coast and the list goes on...... Well worth a visit if you have never been and well worth a second visit if you have....

A wonderful place, has everything you could want or need in an idyllic island paradise environment
Highly recommended

Approx 4,300 people live in South launceston, an area of approximately 3km.
There are two schools in South launceston and the Launceston General hospital is situate in Charles Street. Close proximity to the City and affordable housing prices, make South a very sought after location with first home buyers and Investors.
In recent years the suburb has undergone much home renovation and hence great increases in sale prices. Wellington St. runs from the City to Hobart Rd. in Kings Meadows offering a variety of business houses and shops along the way.

Some areas of South offer stunning views over the City and Tamar. Some of these Streets are, Merivale, View St. Rose Lane, Powena and Meridith. Melbourne St. offers a Gym and an RSL Club at the Southern end. Recreational Parks are found in Mulgrave St. Howick St. Rose Lane and the Brick fields. Houses are a mix of character homes and cottages with plenty of 1920s Californian bungalows and more recent units.

A new subdivision in South (Karla Place) now offers modern architect designed homes equal in value to areas such as Richings Estate in Young Town. A real mix of home ownership in South Launceston, with many professional people now choosing to live in this inner City suburb.

We believe now is a fantastic time to buy Real Estate In Launceston: Below is our 2010 Market Outlook!

The outlook for Tasmania remains positive. It has had small growth over the past few years. It continues to be viewed as a safe and clean green environment in which to live. Property prices are affordable and more opportunities are being created for employment. Sales should decrease as Generation X’ers continue to trade up.

In 2010 Tasmania faces an early State election which could see a change in government, or worse, the election of a minority government, creating an uncertain environment. Further development of the Launceston General Hospital will see an increase in jobs during development and on completion.

Gunns’ Pulp Mill still remains uncertain but has the potential to have a major impact if it proceeds.

Hot Spots
Hot spots in the region include inner city areas which have seen the strongest growth and it is anticipated the suburbs of Invermay, West Launceston, South Launceston and Newstead are likely to benefit from further growth. Rents in Central Launceston, East Launceston and suburbs surrounding the Hospital, University and Maritime College will experience the greatest pressure for rent increases.

Launceston region and surrounds
A major movement for 2010 will be an expected additional 1-5 per cent increase in investor activity, on the back of an already more 10-20 per cent increase for the second half of 2009. This increased activity is driven mainly by the uncertainty of further interest rate rises which may cause investors to proceed with some caution. Tasmania however has a low entry into investment property and is showing solid returns which will attract wary investors and super funds. Investors are expected to replace first home buyers with the removal of the First Home Owners’ Grant Boost. The last few months has already seen a decrease in first home buyer activity but it has also shown they will continue and with increase in prices the Boost has become less relevant. Investors have replaced the first home buyer but not with the same frenzy which took place in the first half of 2009.

Overall it is not expected there will be significant change to the market. Obtaining the stock in the lower end will maintain pressure on prices. Interest rates are expected to continue to increase for the first half of 2010, possibly with two more due, which may make buyers even more cautious. However, many buyers now looking are prepared for these increases. If the economy strengthens, the confidence should counter any increases. The environment continues to impact on the property market with 1-5 per cent of Launceston house hunters looking for energy efficient features, the most popular being approved garden watering systems and solar hot water.

The proposed introduction of energy efficiency regulation of new dwellings would introduce a six star-rating system aimed at reducing Greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, we believe this is a good thing and a chance for the property industry to have an even more positive effect on the environment. However, it should be cautioned, the government should only regulate new homes as older homes would be unfairly discriminated against and their values decreased.

In addition, the government’s proposed emissions trading scheme is seen as a good place to start but the real difference will be made by individuals not by companies.

My family loves this city. 10/10 for LAUNCESTON

Has everything and always an enjoyable stay.

South Launceston is a good suburb with the potential to evolve into one of Launcestons top suburbs. Its locality between East Launceston and West Launceston means that it has good neighbouring suburbs, while it is in close proximity to the city. The better areas of South launceston appear to be towards the city end, however this 'better' area is slowly extending back into the rest of the suburb. New developments including the development of the hospital complex will add further value to the area, and a few bargin properties can still be found, although rumours are circulating that parts of the area will soon be heritage listed, meaning potential future difficulties with property developments/expansions. Typical classic Launceston architecture is prevelant with an abundance of victorian residence. Definately a suburb on the rise.