alex44

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.