Toowoomba City, QLD 4350

hz true. Sometimes I feel backward into the future so eighties 1980s.

Toowoomba is booming.
Many buyers are looking at regional areas like Crows Nest 4355.

I have lived in Toowoomba for over 53 years and still haven't made any good friends.

davef7 Sadly that is the experience of many.

I actually know a guy here who insists that the world is flat.

Maybe one day Toowoomba will get a real train that goes to and from Brisbane every day, wouldn't that be a novelty. Catch either one of 2 buses that run at the same times 4 or 5 times a day but miss the last bus out of Brisbane at 5.30pm yer stuck there for the night. Lets get out of the 20th century. Oh and so many rednecks....

So true. I meet the occasional nice person, but the vibe here in general is not friendly or chilled. Maybe Australia in general these days is becoming a less friendly, more rushed place. Sorry to hear you've had these experiences in Toowoomba as well. I hope

I hope you meet some nice people. Or somehow this place becomes more friendly....

Agree. Moved here 15 years ago. Unfriendly and clicky. There is no "whole of community", functions as a collective of groups. Was told by a journalist a number of years ago that you are expected to belong to a group and stay in it, if you venture out of your group, people quickly let you know where you belong. Unfortunately haven't been able to move away.

Toowoomba laidback? Can I have some of what you're smoking? Must be very powerful stuff.

Well described and well said.

Since you took the time...and I loved reading your writing. I had to sign up and create and account just to tell you how much I appreciate it. Made my night.

Thanks Dan, very comprehensive information. It was very helpful too.

This is a fabulous, thoughtful and entertaining review! thanks for going to the trouble. I really appreciate these reviews - it is a big decision to re-locate.

Best review I've read on here, for any town!

Lived here in and off for 45 years and really appreciate the time and thought that went into this well balanced review. Nice job!

very well written review, are you still in Toowoomba dang?

I found this very reassuring

I also lived in London and other parts of the UK - agree with everything you say. It is not just the under 30s who feel isolated and alone, there are very many older people feeling isolated and alone too.

Hi, I know everybody has there own opinion but you really didnt acknowledge the benefits. Toowoomba is a small but stable community. We have a range of community centres and lots of beautiful gardens. We are traditionally very welcoming people and there are many different races, as well. Toowoomba hosts many carnivals,festivals,concerts. We are a well maintained city with a range of shops, Grand Central has many options for food and clothing. We also have amazing schools and retirement homes. You couldnt forget our theartres and museums. I am not saying that your statement is incorrect but you could reconsider. I hope you settle in well, I hope you see what Toowoomba is really like.

Agreed Alexander. It's horrible and very isolating. People are different here. I hate it and want to move away. Ive been here a year now and that's long enough to have had the joy and life sucked out of me!! You have to have grown up here to be able to handle it and the people even admit it.

So sorry Kittys1 that you have had the same negative experience as many. "..had the joy and life sucked out of me" is how many people feel. Having lived in a number of different places, as well as doing voluntary work in Toowoomba, I have seen just how isolating Toowoomba can be. My advice is do move if you can because it only gets worse. But do your research before you move. I hope you have some support.

We've been here for over three years and have made NO friends. People are superficially friendly, but do not want to form new friendships with new arrivals.

Elvissya It makes me really sad every time I read posts like this ... so many people have the same experience. Toowoomba functions as a collective of groups, and as a local journalist told me, people are expected to stay in their groups. There is no provision for 'whole of community' participation. There are some small neighbourhood centres but what Toowoomba desperately needs is a community centre that can cater for a city of its size, that would facilitate everyone being able to participate, socialise, feel part of the community and that they belong. It is now even worse for people that are excluded and/or isolated because of covid-19.

Well I have an admission to make I have written reviews about Toowoomba and loved it when we arrived about 4 years ago to retire. Now ? Totally hate the place. What was a beautiful city with old style Queensland homes on large blocks are being chopped up and units squashed into the large back gardens. High rise are appearing everywhere. The hospital leaves a great deal to be desired. Medical wards have 6 beds with MIXED gender and MIXED ages and only 1 tiny shower/toilet combination. Totally inappropriate . ( wont go into further details) thought we would be OK 25 minuets out of town but no, our here in a rural area blocks are being chopped up into small blocks full of small houses. Work is hard to find, traffic a nightmare, with everyone hell bent on pushing in front of you. Like others we have tried and tried to make friends but people are to busy to be bothered. There is nothing to do, nothing seriously except walk around gardens. The main streets are full of "for lease" signs, just a horrible feeling about the place. We have seen the value of our property plummet so now we are totally stuck here with no way out. Hate it.

I moved here a year ago from Far North Queensland and Im counting the days for when my lease runs out so I can leave. Havent made one single friend. The people I have encountered are just downright rude. Ive also never been more abused by other drivers in all my life. The traffic attitude is unreal... so much rage here. I lock the doors in my car now because who knows what people will do here. Ive even been spat on while at the local supermarket...
Lease runs out in January... not long now.

janemar31 So sorry - as I said above, it makes me sad when I read comments like this. But that is Toowoomba for you. Clicky groups, and yes in places too many rude and feral people, as well as high rates of DV and animal cruelty. So many people get stuck here - lucky you are able to leave.

I agree, hard to make friends, people think they are special. They don't want to be your friends but they are definitely interested in your personal business. I have no interest in having friends like them. Gossips galore here.

Agree with what you say. Not even a community centre and the couple of small neighbourhood centres can't cope with the needs of the community. With all affordable community space taken away from voluntary community groups, there are very many vulnerable people, like people with a mental illness or disability, excluded from community. Very sad that no-one in a position to make change cares enough to do so.

I know a stuck up lady that moved there about five years ago and still living there now that explained why, ... she in the right plac3e with all other stuck up, clickie, snobbish people haha

Yep. I feel really isolated and I wish I never moved here. It's like people who come from and live in toowoomba have tall poppy syndrome or something. If you're not from Toowoomba, they can't wait to tear you down. I hate it.

There are around 150 parks in Toowoomba. A lot of suburban parks and playgrounds but at least 10 major parks.

Apologies if this is rude to ask but what race are you? Do you know if they would be rude to an Asian person? I am considering moving there myself but I have had issues with racism here in Australia in the past in rural towns.

I live here and when buying my first home and moving here I found racism prevalent in the North suburbs, even the realtor had a thing or two to say about races. It was mostly directed at aboriginals rather than immigrants, I was concerned as my partner is asian/islander, but on Newtown side so far no one has been rude and there are a LOT of different races milling about my local shopping scene. It feels very relaxed in my area and a bit more... youthful? My workplace in the same area hires tons of asian visa holders among others. Compared to my last rural living place Toowoomba feels a lot more progressive, but there are the old and the young sides of towns where you might get casual racism still... just pick your area carefully, but otherwise I can't say Toowoomba is a terrible choice for asian descent people in particular, it's been quite a friendly atmosphere.

Watch out as the place is full of rednecks. Still back in the 1970's. Still cant get a train to Brisvegas, what a bunch of drop kicks.

Rubbish

Hum interesting comment re Religion as the Buddhist are about to build a major training centre. Must be all the peace and quite up here on the range. Mind you toowoomba might just be about to be shaken from its roots with the Wagner family pushing to build a casino. Gee cant wait for that (not)

Agree with all you said. Have lived here for almost 14 years after living in other parts of Victoria as well as overseas.

My family and I have been in Toowoomba for 6 months from Auckland NZ. I think you have nailed it in your review. I lol with your summation of the locals only being interested in small talk as they already have their own network. My partner was lucky enough to be a Russian speaker so they all net work on facebook and meet up so shes made lots of friends.
Positives are its a pretty city, easy to get around, nice shopping mall. Some lovely homes at reasonable prices.

I dont want to sound rude but is it a lazy town with obese people or a sporty active one? (I live in bundy where no one tries at anything]

very true

the police are not corrupt you peasent?????????????

They are!

So how would a 24 year old single mother of a 6 year old go in a place like Toowoomba, in your opinion James? I have been contemplating the move from Brisbane but I'm unsure now!

Unless you are religious Kate, I would not even considerate it. Not a friendly, welcoming or inclusive community.

You feel unsafe walking to the shops in Toowoomba? LOL that's pretty funny!!! I think you should toughen up before ever leaving Toowoomba because if you don't feel safe there you won't feel safe anywhere lol

mem5 You might be surprised to discover that Toowoomba tops the list of the states criminal postcodes - with the highest number of prison inmates coming from Toowoomba - maybe not as safe as you think.

Mem5 and MatH6 ... you seem to have been over-ruled!!
Toowoomba has both corrupt cops AND high crime rate!!

Well said

You coped with living in Ipswich!! That says it all!

So why are you still in Toowoomba ? We have lived all over Qld, NSW, and Vic and have chosen Toowoomba as the place we have come back to, to retire. We have family who live on the Gold Coast ( for reasons I wont go into but they are not able to move at this point in time) and they including to primary aged children who cant wait to come up for a weekend away from the rat race. With the new 500 million expansion of Grand Central shopping center that should fix any lack of shopping facilites, ( though I admit Ruthven Street is in desperate need of a face lift) once the new Grand Centeral opens maybe things will change. I am hoping that once the new Well Camp business park opens we will see many of the more trade like business moving out to well camp and being replaced by retail stores and coffee shops. The railway park lands maybe the start of this change. We actually love the weather, yes you get the odd day with humidity but nothing like it is on the coast, You have the beautiful Autumn trees and can sit round an open fire in your home at night. The weather is in fact similar to Melbourn except you dont get such long winters and than goodness non of the 40c plus days, and Melbourne is set to over take Sydney for growth so there must be people who actually like the change in seasons. As you say there are now things for children to do starting to appear, the parks are just beautiful especially the japanees gardens. As for night life well that is another reason we chose Toowoomba, you dont see the fights and drunks filling the city streets at night, but if that is what you miss it is not that far to drive to Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Bottom line, Toowoomba and major cities are different and we have a choice as to where we live. For us the peace and quite, beats the crazyness of the cities any day,

The worst drivers in Queensland...using indicators and obeying stop signs is optional! Not a great place to walk around after dark as the drunks are out in force. The people seem to think that Toowoomba is a vibrant and world class city but it is just really a town which has not matured much in mentality beyond the 1950's.

Yes, I've encountered some crazy driving antics there but it's a breeze compared to Sydney and Tasmania was worse. They realised that indicators existed when the Millennium rolled around.

Tess good for you, you have had a perfect experience with Toowoomba! This however, does NOT negate the relevance of someone else's experience. In fact your comment is irrelevant in context of someone else's review.

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.

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.

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 .

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

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

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

What is it that mainly concerns you Paricec ?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

i want you to help me move from the usa to toowoomba for work on a construction project.

@danmirisola..the only construction project you'll get in toowoomba is putting security bars on windows.

I WANT TO MOVE TO TOOWOOMBER N STUDY NURSING AT SQU AND I AM COMING WITH MY PARTBER N SON .AFTER READING THE COMMENTS I AM WORRIED ABOUT ACCOMMODATION, UNI LIFE AND SONS SCHOOL ...PLEASE JUST HELP ME N GUIDE ME THRU.

hi Christina, may i have your email address? thanks so much

Hai..I am Lenin and I am from India.
I got an admission for my PhD study in University of Southern Queensland with scholarship. After all these reviews I am little bit worried to bring my family along with me.
Can you please help me with the info about accommodation and schooling for my kid.
How friendly Towoomba is to do part time jobs to support my family expenses.

Never a truer word was spoken SwampMum.

I was travelling the speed limit outside a school and got overtaken by a driver in a hurry. Lights! I was always taught by the locals not to turn the lights on in the fog because they reflect and blind you, (as if you can see through the fog anyway) but as much as you try to reason with them that they need lights to be visible to others,they persistently hold on to their foggy logic. P- culiar.

If it is so bad why are you still living there. Moove.......

WELL SAID ! We are a mobile population and it is time agents realized that. We sell then rent while we look to buy.
We have a 7kg dog, that sleeps on our bed thus goes to the groomers at $60 a time every 6 weeks, and would rather walk aroung with his legs crossed that do anything inside the house. The agent selling our place did not even know we had a dog till he found him asleep on the bed, BUT as soon as you mention the word DOG, to rental agents, it is assumed you are from a VERY lower socio economic back ground and your dog is a wolf hound that is going to destroy the garden and eat the inside walls. Agents see the bond as an early "Christmas present" and always find something like a 2 cm mark that will cost your full $2000 bond to fix !
Like you my O/H is on a 6 figure income, and we will rent while we look for our next home. SO, property managers dont judge all applicants as one you may have had an issue with and lefts face it if YOU do your job properly that is regular checks at least in the early months you will see we dont all want to move in and destroy your clients property in fact many of us will leave it in a far better state than we found it .

0h boy I so enjoyed reading your comments, to say stating and saying it as it is would be understating. I have always had a beautiful home and every single house we have sold has been described by real estate agents as the best presented home they have ever had the privilege to list, and always been like it even with unexpected requests for viewing. Its how my home is always kept as its how I like to live my life. We recently came to Toowoomba to be nearer to our Grandchildren in Western suburbs of Brisbane after selling our beautiful home further north, but also for a while we are both wanting to do some traveling around Australia but hopefully overseas also of course that might not happen. Therefore with all this in mind we dont want to buy again yet, just as your description is so perfectly matched to how we have been treated. We are both retirees , and I lead a very busy working life working in a city hospital A/E department for many years with a large number of staff under my direction , I would never have spoken to any member of my staff or even for that matter patients either the way my husband and I have been spoken to by some of these agents, as soon as they hear we are not a potential buyer, and as plainly can be established we are both past a certain stage in our lives. I have to admit and am not proud to admit to acting in this manner, but in the past week or so in utter frustration I have started to see myself dropping down to their levels. Its very hard situation to be in as the only way to describe our situation is to say as it is, we are homeless. We are having to stay in a local motel, of course had we known this ridiculous situation that is happening all over our country now was going to happen, we would never have sold our home. The whole utterly ridiculous situation came about in the small time frame of no more than 3 weeks, I go to sleep every night with great difficulty with the whole sorry saga playing out in my mind and wondering how long this nightmare is going to go on for, then you have to endure the disgraceful reactions you get from some of these real estate people. Plus I also have a container of all my beautiful home and almost all of our clothing as well , sitting in a yard of our removal company further north. I just hope one day that I can look back on all of this and hopefully manage a strained smile. One person, no will change that 2 people who claimed to be friends, stated the ridiculous statement the other day that it must be very exciting what we are experiencing and doing, well all I can say to them as Idid at the time, they must be very weird people or completely void of a brain, to think that 2 elderly people would look on this as exciting, as the bag of laundry grows to a level of when I do eventually. And hopefully do own a laundry room of my own again, I probably wont vacate it for best part of a month. Then I suppose you can look on it all as I wont be destroying or tearing apart an investors house, will be to busy catching up on a few months laundry.

well said

Townsville has had a Myer for at least 25 years - when I used to live there. I preferred the shopping in Townsville though recently it has had a downturn.

Townsville is beyond horrid!! Having to lock your car doors whilst driving,secure your premises beyond the norm with cameras,watch all intersections for youths in stolen cars running red lights like GTA style,druggos jumping counters in shops with knives,watching your back whilst you go to and from your vehicle,paying caution to the fact that whilst fueling your car you may have it hijacked,perhaps you'll have it egged so that you can't see through the windscreen and have NO choice but to pull over where you're assaulted and your car stolen by youths. If you're wanting a disgusting city of disrespectful degenerate chroming detention center youths ruling the place then yeah....Go Townsville!! Such a lovely safe place to raise children or retire. Check out the crime rates. I wouldn't even let my dog live there because they're beating them with sticks and stones and kicking them,or,feeding them over a period of time to get to your premises,stealing from you whilst you're home awake or asleep or out and about....they don't care about violating you or your pets! Crimesville,Brownsville,Clownsville are now my preferred names for that hot crime hole.

Have you considered that the "good ole folk" of Toowoomba are acting maybe a bit like" Ned Kellys last stand" ? Maybe just maybe they dont want the drug pushers, lazy yobos who dont want to work, hoons in fast cars, night clubs open 24/7 with bouncers beating the living day lights out of it clients out side on the street ? Maybe just maybe they are fighting to keep Toowoomba back in the "dark ages' because at least then people had values and cared about others and the environment.
If you want the resturants open till 2am, the night clubs, people with 6 shades of hair, etc etc, it is VERY easy to find in just about all large cities and towns so simply MOVE, you will be happy and i am sure the people of Toowoomba will also be happy.
We plan to move to Toowoomba quite simply to leave behind the sort of town you crave, and look forward to becoming one of those very boring people who attends church on Sundays, grows veggies in the garden, and takes the kids for a walk in the park .

Yes I have...I've been a local on and off for 40 years. The hoons were here before I was growing veggies here, and they haven't changed. I don't think that a few things to do in town would bring these types of people in...they're already here and they are bored.

The kind of people I would like to see in town are the kind of people who are tolerant to people from mutli-cultural backgrounds, people wgho are creative and artistioc so that some decent theatre would be accepted in this town, and people awho can make som decent thai food!

Ps sorry about my spelling....I was educated in Toowoomba

Well said Tess.....

Beautifully written Mr Bus. Love the so. Allen Christian condemning anyone not exactly like her

*so-called Christian

Tess, these so called values have proven to mostly be ignorance, racism and homophobia.

"Maybe just maybe they dont want the drug pushers, lazy yobos who dont want to work, hoons in fast cars, .." They are already in Toowoomba Tess. The constant hooning in town drives me mad. Mr Bus was spot on. I suggest you might like to bring yourself up to date before you move back as you seem very out of touch with what actually goes on in Toowoomba. Mind you, your level of intolerance is very Toowoomba - so I am sure you will be happy here.

Couldn't agree more. Particularly the point that Toowoomba has all the faults of both city/country and none of the benefits of either. I may do some research on Mackay after reading your review, sounds like an interesting place.

I always wonder why people like meepmeep keepkeep living in a town they obviously don't like. I have a friend from Sydney who has lived here for 30 years and still whinges about what Toowoomba doesn't have and how good its was in the old days in Sydney. Go back to where you come from if you don't like it here. I love it here. I have lived here all my life and have seen it grow from a place where everyone knew everyone to a bigger place that still has a country town feel. It's not to big and not to small. Easy to get anywhere you want to go in a short time. Plenty of great places to shop. No nightmare traffic like in the big cities. However you can quickly be in Brisbane if you want that. It's not for you if you like the exciting fast life in the city, but if you want to live in a quiet, peaceful beautiful, green, relatively safe place come to Toowoomba we like it here.

This is an overly negative review...

Sounds like every other town/city anywhere in Australia. The issues you raise are not unique to Toowoomba - the same thing is happening in EVERY place you think of living in this country! It's a result of taking discipline out of schools; civil libertarians running our justice system and the "I deserve a hand-out and have no respect for anybody let alone myself" mentality of the bogans that now make up the last two generations of this country. I don't live in Toowoomba but I've lived in other major towns and know that anti-social behaviour and people with 'chips on their shoulders' are everywhere!

In reply to imc53 - You wrote "Go back to where you come from if you don't like it here" which doesnt suprise me; theres a lot of people in Toowoomba that have that attitude about people who werent born an (in)bred there. I'm glad you love the town, but you didnt really address ANY of the issues I talked about in my review.

Relatively safe? You say relatively safe but are you actually denying any of what I've described takes place in Toowoomba? You're saying you would feel comfortable walking in the CBD at night (probably to McDonalds after realising there are no restaurants open after 7pm)? In one weekend recently the police recorded 7 assaults in the CBD (including 2 on police), 17 public nuisance offences, 14 DUIs and 13 crashes. Considering the CBD is only about three streets wide - thats a hell of a lot! Not to mention all the burglaries that occcur because of the high percentage of bogan kids with no respect for anyone's property (they never had any of their own property because their parents were always hocking it to buy drugs so they steal everyone elses).

Ask the poor girl that has to put up with armed robberies every few months at Big Dad's Pies on James St if she thinks this place is safe. Ask the woman who was assaulted getting her mail in Annand St in broad daylight recently if she thinks Toowoomba is safe.

Since you didnt address any of the many other issues I discussed in my review, I'm assuming you agree with what I'm saying.

To bowzer - I agree! And yes, I know this is a widespread problem across Australia - and Toowoomba definitely is no different. My review clearly illustrates this :)

I don't know why my review was rated as "unhelpful" - do people want an honest opinion, or a fluffy tourism ad campaign?

Oh also - the water at the moment tastes like what I'd imagine the run-off from the nursery at Bunnings would taste like. You can really taste the chemically-goodness. Boil your water before you drink it, or invest in a good filter system. Gee this town is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest!

I appreciate your honest opinions on the town - I don't take any notice of the 'reviews' written by Real Estate Agents trying to pass a place off as 'paradise' as it's good for their business. Nor do I take any notice of people who write reviews on cities/towns they simply drove through on their 'grey-nomads' tour of Australia. I only wish that more people would discover this site and write, honestly, about what it's like to live where they live. For people who may be considering a transfer to a particular location for employment purposes, it can be very helpful.

For Meepmeep. Just a couple of restaurants open after 7pm include Weis Restaurant (open 365 days a year), Hogs Breath, Sizzlers & Veraison (till 11.30 6 days). These are just the ones I have been to in the last 12 months and there is no doubt many more. Dont know where you are getting your info from but it is wrong...

Hey Bowzer... Very little honesty coming from Meepmeep. Perhaps one too many drinks of that run-off from the nursery at Bunnings they claim to have tasted. I happen to be in Real Estate and am not aware of too many agents that take the 'paradise' aproach. We are always getting a bad wrap from the very small % of agents who do the wrong thing. It's like many professions I guess. We certainly have our problems here mate as they do in any town which you very rightly pointed out. Darn nice place to live in and raise a family though. Just need to stay out of certain areas at certain times which most intelligent would do anyway. Hope you come visit or move here one day so you can see how nice it is for yourself. Enjoy one of the many parks, great shopping, close proximity to Brisbane or even a night out at a restaurant (after 7pm)... I will walk naked to Bourke if you cant find one open after 7pm.. All the best!

"I happen to be in Real Estate and am not aware of too many agents that take the 'paradise' aproach."

Hahahahahahahahahahaha - *catches breath* - HAhahahahahahahahaha

Coming from someone who works in real estate ...that is hilarious.

But anyway....

Hogs Breath and Sizzlers?? Wow, fine dining at its best!

So you agree that Weis & Veraison are quality Restaurants? So that should be enough then shouldnt it to show people that there are good restuarants open after 7 pm... Now lets be freinds from here on in and tell people what a nice place Toowoomba really is (apart from those couple of things that you mentioned- which I agree with-) but they happen everywhere dont they....

Weis & Veraison are both great restaurants!

In my first review I mentioned the good things about Toowoomba - great shopping & dining options, hundreds of parks, good employment opportunities. I'm just not prepared to be "all fluff" and no reality when it comes to my reviews. And frankly, what I mentioned in my review is the reality we face in Toowoomba! Yes, it happens everywhere (except maybe the whole running out of water issue), but that doesnt mean it shouldnt be mentioned in a review.

If I was moving somewhere and wanted to know what it was like, I'd like to know the reality, not the glossy tourism ad campaigns you get from most websites.

While I appreciate honesty from people, I do think it's bizarre that you have so much to complain about in a city where you actually live. Why don't you move?? I'm confused as to why you would want to stay somewhere you clearly hate.

My husband and I are thinking of moving to Toowoomba with our little girl, so while I found your article helpful, it's certainly not the only opinion we're going to take into consideration. We have friends who love it there, and they are in no way like any of the Toowoomba natives you talk about. Personally, what turns me off most is your negativity and sarcasm. If people in Toowoomba are really like that, then no thanks. We'll stay in over-populated, traffic-congested, ridiculously house priced Brisbane. See how I'm complaining about Brisbane? But I'm actually trying to get out of it. Funny that.

Oh, and clearly judging people for what they do for a living is part of living in Toowoomba too, because you have an obvious distaste for real estate agents, who can't all be as dishonest as you make them out to be.

Maybe a move would be good for you - perhaps help you to shed that nasty negativity? Give it a go!

To address your questions KM32 - "Why don't you move??" - I'm moving away from Toowoomba in two months for a job transfer. Couldn't happen fast enough :)

"you have an obvious distaste for real estate agents" - no I don't, I don't think they are ALL dishonest - just some.

I've always found that reading the local newspaper of the town is a good indication of what to expect. Go to www.thechronicle.com.au and check it out - this mornings headlines are "USQ Student Robbed At Gunpoint" and "Teenagers Filmed Lamb Slaughter". Theres also a story on the taxi driver who is accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger.

Funny that, I never used to be so negative until I came here. Maybe a seachange will be a good thing!

I have to say I have had a good giggle at meepmeep's comments, and I mean that as a compliment. It's funny because everything he/she has said is completely 100% true!! Particularly the dining after 7pm. From personal experience (last night in actual fact) my child's friend decided they wanted to go to "Sizzler" for dinner (yes I know!!!). When we got there at 7pm the carpark was full and there was a long queue. By 8.15pm when we left the place was a ghost town. Perhaps it's the crime rate making people scurry home as early as possible.

And yes, the "go back to where you came from" comment is used abundantly here. Seems to be a little bit of lack of understanding/compassion/ignorance/fear of people that are not like the every day run of the mill people here.

May well be a great place to bring up children given the quantity of public and private schools but just as long as you leave town before your daughters turn in to teenagers. The great unwashed hanging around outside Gardentown as mentioned by meepmeep is just telling it like it is. It's a very sad reflection on society in Toowoomba that either these young adults have no interest or lack of direction and are satisfied to sit around bumming smokes off strangers while trying to 'score' (whether that be a new potential pregnant teenager girl or their drug of choice).

And before you go thinking I'm some critical old fuddy duddy, I'm 35 and lived all over Australia and the world. Toowoomba has so much potential and beautiful places, its just sad that the population let it down somewhat (obviously there are exceptions to the rule but I'm talking about the majority).

See, the problem with the above comment is this: tell me one regional "city" in Australia that does not have such problems. I think you'll be hard pressed to find one....

Hahaha @ "the great unwashed". Classic!

So HandyAndy - you're saying that just because Toowoomba isn't the only regional city that has these problems they shouldn't be mentioned at all? That kind of misses the point about giving an opinion about a town on this forum, doesn't it?

Anyway I have to go and find some spare fence palings to replace the ones that a gang of teenagers ripped out at about 2am last night. How do I know the culprits are teenagers? Because they woke me up after they spent 10 minutes smashing up a phone box across the road from me, then ripped out the palings as they walked past my home.

I think the teenage hooligan problems are widespread across the whole of this once-great country. I live on the Tweed (border of NSW and QLD) and we have the same issues here. I moved here from a very quiet little seaside village on the NSW north coast and soon after arriving here, thought I'd made a huge mistake (keep in mind that I'm only 32 with very young children) due to the escalating youth crime issues here. I seriously considered packing-up and leaving the area, but, after reading 'revues' on other large regional cities/towns, it seems the same problems are being suffered everywhere. ie. youth gangs, violence, antisocial behaviour, hoons, graffitti, etc, etc, etc. I now blame our weak judicial system, our way-too-generous welfare system and the political correct 'do-gooders' of society in general who, over the last 20 years or so, have changed the face of our country for the worse. Just ask any school teacher or Police Officer who has been in their professions for over 20 years and I'll run naked down my street if ANY of them say kids/society today has more respect than they did 20 years ago.

Forgot to add that the 'quiet little seaside village' that I grew up in and left is now on the news most nights for it's youth crime problems as well. Very often 'seachange' towns are the worst for this!

I have to agree with meepmeep. It's sad but so very true. If your "from" Toowoomba, you think this town is "normal". If your new here, you definately realise it's far from it...

I too find this review overly negative too. I have lived in many other towns & cities, & have chosen to raise my family on the outskirts of Toowoomba. We have so many fantastic & progressive schools & medical facilities here, as well as some of the most beautiful parks & gardens in Queensland.
Of course it has a conservative element - most country towns, with a rich history, where generations choose to stay do, but there is a vibrant, cultural & progressive element too. As much as I love Toowoomba, I do find the wowsers frustrating at times, but I also do not think it is necessary for every town in Australia to offer the same services as each other e.g. Sunday trading (which has since been implemented anyway).
Youth crime & boredom are not localised to Toowoomba - there is that element to society Australia wide. I think you will find that per head, crime here is no worse than anywhere else - Toowoomba is quite a large place for a country town.
Have you tried The Angel Cafe? Always open, fabulous service, great food!
Water - get a tank - we don't have town water, & rely on our tanks, & a bore supply (we are on acreage though). I did vote "yes" for recycled water.
I am sad that you haven't enjoyed your time in Toowoomba meepmeep, but the old adage "you can't please everyone" comes to mind. & I'd live here any day over that smog infested traffic jam Brisbane or the drug addled coasts - great for a short holiday, but, leave the beach & investigate the suburbs you'll find more teens smoking dope & partying on other illicit drugs there than here.
Hope you find your happy place - glad I've found mine.

I don't think the issue is discipline in schools - it's discipline in the home that is lacking browzer.

meepmeep - all towns have a "gardentown" or similar shopping centre/area that attract loitering undesirables - instead of slagging them off, perhaps we should be looking for solutions to these problems? I see you have no problem airing your grievances, but I wonder what your thoughts are to help solve these issues, to make all our towns safer & more pleasant places to live.

meepmeep where the hell do you live. Why not try a good suburb. I would have thought someone so judgemental and high and mighty would live at the best address in town. Yes there are parts of Toowoomba (few) where i wouldnt live in the same way that there are suburbs in Brisbane, Sydney and just about anywhere else in Australia where i wouldn't live. (Before all the dogooders start screaming about this comment be honest with yourself there ARE areas you wouldnt choose to live in) I live in a nice quite area where i walk alone at night and feel no fear. When are you leaving town Meepmeep let us know we'll throw you a big sendoff at Gardentown.

Oh meepmeep...I think you've been too kind. The food here is terrible! The only reason people think it is good is because they desperately want to believe that real food tastes that way... and the coffee in most places might as well be mud. There are a few saving graces with the coffee but the cost is outrageous. And the cost of living- the rent is cheaper but the food, the medical bills, the utilities are all a lot more expensive than in major cities.

The traffic may not seem like much but the drivers are inconsiderate and the hoons make the roads downright dangerous on a Thursday night. Particularly if it's foggy. To be honest I used to feel safer walking through Collingwood in Melbourne at night than I do going to McDonalds in Toowoomba IN THE DAY. I grew up here, I've done my fair share of boot-riding and hanging out of cars shouting profanities, and I went to a dodgy private school where we had our undies checked for the quality of their colour!!!!! This place is weird and conservative and I will say it...backwards. If you think it is fantastic...you've never left- or only ever lived in Brisbane. But I know you Toowoombogans will just get defensive and cranky and tell me I'm wrong because that's what y'all do. Just admit it...you're bored out of your brain and just looking for a fight, at least it gives you something to do. Dukes up Toowoomba!

MrBus has taken over where meepmeep left off. I can see he/she is looking for a good tongue lashing. I am happy to oblige. As with Meepmeep why are you living here? I think Meepmeep should have jumped on MrBus and they both should have riden out of town and kept right on going. If you feel safe walking in Collingwood, go ahead, do it, go and walk in Collingwood. Fair enough you are entitled to your opinion, and i would understand if you lived somewhere else. Why choose to live in a town that you don't like, and then have the hide to tell the people who like it here that they should leave because only then will they be able to see how "weird, conservative and backward" Toowoomba really is. Why have you come back MrBus couldn't you hack it in the big city? I would have thought someone so allknowing, critical and condescending would be so successful that they could choose where they live. If you live somewhere else write a review on your town/city, and leave ours alone.

Can anyone tell me the best areas to live in inner city toowoomba? Under $300,000? Thanks

If you can afford East Toowoomba (east of Lindsay St) or Rangeville. Otherwise Kearney Springs. It depends what you are looking for. Older character homes in tree lined streets are in East Toowoomba or Newtown. We lived in Newtown about 10 years ago, & while I loved the cosmopolitan feel (all sorts lived there - young professionals, families, elderly; & we could walk everywhere), we were very conscious of locking doors & windows, & we had a dog for security. If you prefer a newer style home, Kearney Springs or Middle Ridge would be more suitable. Rangeville is considered a desirable suburb, but has many 60's & 70's style homes, as does Centenary Heights. These are the suburbs that generally have seen good growth in real estate prices. Hope that has been of some help to you.

Wow, that was a quick reply, thank you. I'm going to Toowoomba this weekend to have a look around. I love the older style weather board homes (but in good condition). I am a bit concerned about security as a lot of reviews mention the crime rate in nToowoomba. I would hope to be working in the CBD, so don't want to be too far out of town. I hear public transport is not great. Please also let me know which suburbs to avoid, if you have the time. (flooding etc,) I was told to avoid housing commission areas but I don't know which areas they are? Thanks again

Hi, the areas that flooded were right in the centre of town, where the storm water drains & railway lines run through - evidence of flooding is still there, so you will be able to tell. Not quite so many houses in Toowoomba itself were damaged - more businesses.
Areas to avoid if you want to be away from the housing commission, etc would be Wilsonton (any of the streets in particular with names that relate to wine - such as Champagne etc have got a bad rap over the years), Darling Heights has a high population of rental accommodation being close to USQ, & Rockville, & Harlaxton also offer cheaper rental, & government housing. Harristown too offers a mixed population, as does Newtown & The Mort Estate. Although in Harristown, Newtown & the Mort Estate, you will find some beautiful older style homes for a more reasonable price. Not saying these areas are bad, but I would suggest checking out the streets at peak hours, & at night to check out the night life! (especially if there is a pub around the corner!). Good luck, I'm sure you will find something you love, & hope you enjoy your move to Toowoomba!

Thank you so much. Your review is very helpful, exactly the sort of info I was after. I appreciate your time

Aussie fun...I would also avoid anywhere too close to the range, James St or Margaret St...the traffic can be incessantly noisy. And stay on the ridges.

:D imc53...I completely appreciate that you might like it here. My parents seem to, either that or they've just got sucked into the vortex. The air is clean, the soil is excellent for growing lovely flowers and tomatoes, it's extremely quiet...on all fronts except for the bogans. There's a lovely cuckoo clock shop just out of town...what more could you want? Occasionally some half decent music and theatre even dares to grace the stages on offer (but seldom return...). I am just putting out a heads up to those who are looking at moving here and hoping that there might be some culture or progressive thinking on offer in the town. There is not. It is conservative, and filled with either people who are bored and wasted or people who think they are more important than they are and are too cosy in their Canterbury jerseys to care. Having said that, lots of people are very nice in a nice and quiet, don't get up dear... kind of way. If you are one of them, then good for you dear. Have another iced vovo.

Oh valleyview....this progressive and cultural element you talk about....where is it? I genuinely would like to know, I've been looking for it for over 30years and still haven't seen hide nor hair.

Is there a live music venue somewhere that doesn't have an R.M Williams dress code? Is there an organic cafe with a permaculture diplay garden and educational facitlity? Is there an art gallery that houses street art, international exhibitions and cutting edge local fashion design? Where are the indigenous elders and aboriginal cultural centres. Where are the international food shops (other than the excellent asian groceries) where can I buy decent lebanese bread and authentic turkish coffee? Where are the glitzy gay clubs? These are the questions I have of Toowoomba.

One of my primary concerns is that many people who might have brought these things to town, have been chased away by teenage bogans wearing knuckle rings, shouting abuse and blaring their confederate air horns. Or that the aged wise ones of the town think that "those out-of-towners" are not what this country need.

4350- another negative whinger heard from. I don't understand someone who has lived all over this country and the world who doesn't know that most of these problems happen everywhere. Crime is widespread. Drug taking is epidemic in teenagers everywhere. To make out that these problems are only happening in Toowoomba is ridiculous. MrBus don't talk to me like some silly old dear. I hate iced vovos. The way you talk down to everyone i would have thought you WERE one of the cosy Canterbury Jersey wearers. I'm sure you think you are so much better then the Bogans you refer to, and yet you don't like the snobs either. Where do you fit in poor MrBus. Whats keeping you here go to where the music and theatre suit, but i think they'll be hard pressed to make you happy.

thanks for your response MrBus - it's ValeView actually, a picturesque little place just 6ks out of Toowoomba, where we are proud to be a part of the Toowoomba region. We may be a little behind, in your opinion, but at least we aren't snobs!
The wineries in our region are producing lovely wine, to go with the organic produce that is locally produced - we even have 2 farmer's markets (town square, near council chambers, & at USQ). New & inventive coffee shops & restaurants are opening up, many displaying local art. What about the Queen's Park Craft Markets, etc. I believe that Bon Amici's has live music. We've seen great music & theatre at the beautiful Empire Theatre, but you know what - Brisbane is really not that far away for a night out if you don't like what's on offer here.
There are many local schools, early education centres, etc that are very progressive - have you not heard of the Maridahdi Community school, or Chiselhurst, or Rosemont Cottage, Withcott Early Learning Centre or dare I say it, even many of the state schools that offer alternative learning, embracing such things as sustainable living, environmental awareness, multi-culturalism, etc.
We have a legal brothel - surely that is somewhat progressive!
I understand that you are not happy with Toowoomba - we don't all have our collars turned up & wear pearls to watch the kid's play sport, but I have found that most of Toowoomba performs amazingly well in a crisis, & the community comes together to help out - did you not see the amazing community that did everything it could after the floods? That's the sort of place I want to raise my children in - a place where people help each other out, regardless of the brand of coffee that is served!
I think you'll find that even the bogans helped out during the floods.
It seems to me your biggest beef is that you don't know where the gay club is!!!!

there are also the community organic gardens in behind Goggs St, that you can be a part of. If you look hard enough, I'm sure you'll find more!

My apologies valeview... It is an oversight to get your name wrong. I actually went to Chiselhurst as a child so am very familiar with it. I go to the markets that are sparsely attended and seem to offer less and less each fortnight and I have been to every cafe I can find and although there are a couple of gems, I have to say that I find them, generally, to be severely lacking in barista skills. I have been to the Gogg St gardens, I have searched highfields and still, I find ingrained conservatism masquerading as being progressive.

I am also very familiar with the Empire and the fact that there is only one cafe that seems committed to live music is what worries me. A town this size could support so much more... and why doesn't it? That is my main beef. The fact that many people would rather sit at home or get drunk in parks than do something or experience something productive or creative.

There are lovely people in town, I have met many, but, I have not met people who step beyond the norm and push cultural boundaries, or even express themselves honestly. There is a lot of conformity. Perhaps they do push Toowoomba's boundaries, but Toowoomba is very restricted and restrictive. That is my beef.

imc5...at least we have one thing in common, we both hate iced vovos. The fact is, I am painfully aware that I do not fit in in Toowoomba because there are so few social elements to fit into. Again, my beef. Bogan, canterbury wearer or silent mainstream conformist. That seems to be the lot. As for being condescending, all I can say is that it's true, my Caterbury wearing Toowoomba education is quite possibly to blame.

Oh and as for response to the floods, yeh, thumbs up Toowoomba. But I think you'd find, like drug problems and bogans, that communities anywhere in Australia would rally together under those circumstances. Anywhere I've lived in Australia through a crisis, has always responded supportively.

Mrbus now you've made me feel bad. I'm sorry you feel you don't fit in good luck finding your happy place.

Oh Mr Bus I think we could be best friends!!!! Everything I've read I keep saying YES YES too!!! As I said in my original post (which some of the other posters obviously havent read in full) is "Toowoomba has so much potential and beautiful places, its just sad that the population let it down somewhat (obviously there are exceptions to the rule but I'm talking about the majority)".


imc53's attitude is exactly the thing I'm talking about. "Go back to where you came from cos we only want OUR type here".... the sad thing being what OUR type actually is. Diversity is something Toowoomba has yet to come to terms with.

And imc53, grab your bifocals ("To make out that these problems are only happening in Toowoomba is ridiculous"), I never said Toowoomba is the ONLY place with youth problems. I said it is a problem here in Toowoomba, which is what this forum is about, not every other town.

Mr Bus I think you're exactly right in that those people that could have brought diversity into Toowoomba have been scared away by comments like "go back to where you came from". Toowoomba does have potential, the conservative population are really doing this place an injustice by not welcoming change and making it an even better place.

4350- I'd say MrBus has too much taste and brains to be your friend. Have you ever thought that people not being friendly to you is your problem not theirs. Maybe theres something obnoxious about you. Quoting people in hillbilly speak is hardly going to endear you to them. Never has anyone said "Go back to where you come from cos we only want OUR type here" Leave the condescending chat to MrBus he does it so much better. Your a cheap imitation. No bifocals deary.

Thank you imc53, I'm sorry I told you to eat an iced vovo.

4350...for both our sakes I really hope that some of the more extreme locals stop chasing witches and put their pitchforks down. Then maybe Toowoomba could support a half decent live music scene, a funky gallery, decent souvlaki and something for those kids to do. Surely they can't begrudge that?

Hee hee... sorry imc53 it's just that the hillbilly speak is so tempting when your faced such a social brick wall. It is really difficult here if you're even just a little bit different.

You are funny MrBus and being different is a good thing.

Oh now...you're just saying that. Would you still think I was OK if I told you I was an ethnic transvestite hippie with a nose ring and wore only oddly matched stripey stockings with no shoes? Or would you just think I was funny in a not good way?

Oh imc53 you have just proved my theory, you are the very epitome of the type I'm talking about.

And by the way, I have heard the phrase "go back to where you came from" multiple times here in Toowoomba!!! Usually directed at international university students or Sudanese residents - and every time unprompted and unwarranted. It's a shame these ethnocentric attitudes still pervade in the 21st century.

Ohh sweety you seem not to understand the concept of a forum!! Agreement is not the same thing as imitation, and everyone is entitled to share their opinion just as you are quite actively doing. Perhaps bifocals are not the only thing you need.

Not just funny Mrbus downright hilarious i hope its true I'll be able to pick you out in a crowd.

What! So you can pitchfork me out of town?? No thanks...I'll stay home and hose the sozzled teenagers off my footpath. Anyways, if I go out I've learned better than to rock Toowoomba's tiny paper boat, I'll be the one looking awkward and culturally repressed in my moleskins and collar, to be adventurous I might wear stripey socks...or a scarf...or an earring in the wrong ear...or some shimmer gloss lippie....ooh... "now that that's just going too far MrBus, get back into your tiny minded box, why don't you just go back where you came from." (....banjo plays....)

MrBus a few years back i had a friend Neil he was about 6ft 4in and he used to come out to clubs with us dressed as a beautiful woman. He was accepted and loved by everyone. He also invited us to a gay dance at the old army barracks where a great night was had by all. I can't believe things have changed that much. I pretty much accept people as they are and so do my friends. Hope you find a nice crowd. Bye

is any of this slinging match actually of any help to anyone? Little bit over it guys!

I agree.

I had a lovely gay friend who got badly beaten in a churchyard when we went clubbing for having an earring and it's taken years for his "friends" to accept him as he is, some of them never have. So I s'pose we've both seen different sides of the coin. I've also had asian friends who were racially slurred the entire time they lived here..and I have been told to leave town because I didn't wear shoes. It is ludicrous that these things happen so regularly in a town of this size, in this day and age. There are plenty of small towns where these things happen and you kind of expect it...but Toowoomba is not a small town anymore. It needs to grow up and learn to live with other people.

Many of the general populace is still not as open-minded as you are imc53. That is why so many people get upset living here, we come here being happy open-minded people and get abused and witness atrocious behaviour towards others and it saps all the joy out of you. You've got a thicker skin than I do if you can see past it, and I think maybe you have an important role to play in making change here. The whingers you get upset with have completely valid points and the fact that you love the town does not excuse the apalling behaviour on the streets. I use to love living here too when all that mattered was the parks and flowers.

This slinging match is exactly what Toowoomba is to me. People trying to express themselves, having different views and being trounced for being themselves. Not saying I'm innocent there...but I am a Toowoomba kid after all. I think it's necessary for people considering moving here to know what this town is about, it's definately a town for some and not for others. Well I'm off to the shop to buy some ridiculously over-priced organic vegies and get back to looking for somewhere a little more inspriring and dynamic to live.

charming....

Ahhhh.... See all that above? That's Toowoomba for you.
Glad to have left (and I'm sure some friendly local will follow this up with "glad to see ya gone").

In summary: it's a swamp on the top of a hill, filled with small-minded people who love it because most of them have never left and don't realise the place isn't normal.

Beens living here almost 2 years now so thought I would address a few of the comments here and give an update.
Firstly Multiculturalism, Yes I am a Christian and do try to welcome all people, but you only have to see what "some" people from other countries do in other major towns and cities, that gives me and many I know reservations about having them here in Toowoomba. Having said that we go out of our way to make them welcome if they reject that well not much we can do.
Drugs they are sadly everywhere but I have never see drug pushes on any street in Toowoomba as is the case in other cities, sure I accept that it may go on in hidden areas, but again not as bad as other places.
Schools again some very good schools and brand new Mary Mackillop College at Highfields it a top school, as is the brand new Highfields State High school
The complaint lack of shopping, well the 500 million expansion to Grand Central should solve that issue with stage 1 set to open in September.
The range being blocked and closed cutting off supplies, well there is the back road down through Murphy Creek Road so I dont think we are exactly "cut off" with the new by bass approved and under construction that will certainly make the trip to Brisbane faster and save truck drivers time and money in getting there goods not only to Toowoomba but to the Surat Basin.
Nothing for kids to do, again I think Council is starting to address that issue. We now have the new 82 hectare sports park out at Highfields just 20 minuets out of Toowoomba with multiple football, tennis, netball, cricket, soccer pitches with more being added, along with plenty of parking and bathroom facilities.
Well Camp Airport is up and running with direct flights to Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, as well as regional towns in Qld and destinations are slowly being added.
Cultural, the new City Library has opened and the Empire Theatre has been refurbished.
There are long term plans to develop the old railway yards in to something like Brisbane's south bank, that will be a major plus for residents and tourists.
I have found neighbours to be far better than in other towns I have lived in where after 3 years despite our efforts to make friends we didn't even know who lived next door to us.
Negatives ? Yes I agree Council needs to do far more for the outer suburbs especially in regards to roads and planting trees, but people are still moving here in increasing numbers. We are out near Highfields and the growth is there for all to see. We have 2 good shopping centres providing all we need on a day to day basis.
Over all I still think Toowoomba is a good place to live . My opinion of course.

You wrote "why you would be in a park with family at night puzzles me though". You wouldn't be in a park at night with your family... but you dont want to go to a park during the day that is littered with used condoms and needles because of the scum that use it during the night....

This is all so very confusing. I think the truth is that any place you live is only as good as your neighbours and you won't know until you live there. I believe Toowoomba is definitely the next boom town in Qld and as for different suburbs reviews - that is changing as well. Newtown for example has been listed on a few sites as the worst for violent crimes and alcohol but here it is listed as one of the best suburbs in Darling Downs. The same with Mount Lofty and Harristown used to be considered the worst but not anymore. I have been ready to purchase a house in Port Street Wilsonton Heights but after reading all these comments (especially people warning off the area with streets named after alcoholic beverages lol) I changed my mind. And then I see someone saying Wilsonton is a good area. I drove around the "alcohol" street and it all seems neat tidy and quiet. I am so confused

Not sure when this review was written, but Toowoomba floods every 10 years. And it the 20 years I've lived here we have had two major droughts, and constantly on strict water restrictions.

I'd like to know which restaurants are open after 9pm, because I haven't been able to find any..

Hi I was planning to move to Toowoomba. Which are the safe suburbs to bring up my young family. Thanks.

There are a lot of really great areas in Toowoomba to bring up children. I have a young family and live in Centenary Heights. Centenary Heights is close to big shops, parks and several schools and I have found it to be a safe a friendly suburb. I have met the neighbours on either side of our home and regularly have a chat over the fence just like you would have in the good old days. I have other family who live in Rangeville and would recommend there also. Hope that helps!

dgeo Glenvales good

Don't try and catch a train to Brisvegas cause there is only 2 a week that take 4 or 5 hours at midnight, try 1 of the 2 buses that run at the same times 4 or 5 times a day but don't try and get there before 10am or catch the last one home at 5.30 or yer stuck there for the night. And don't get me started on about the Christians or rednecks.....